Implementation of MFL

Children begin to learn French in Year 3 and follow a carefully planned curriculum across Key Stage 2 using the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupils’ skills in foreign languages through regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons. Years 3 & 4 will be studying 6 units across the academic year and Year 5 & 6 studying 3. All year groups have their own designated phonics lesson to teach, which offers children opportunities to re-cap previous learning along with building upon their knowledge.

Children will progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes – building blocks of language into more complex, fluent and authentic language.

Children are provided with a vocabulary book in Year 3 which grows with them as they progress through the school. Children record new vocabulary in their books and have access to them during their French lessons to support them in retaining knowledge and revisiting previous learning.

Teachers are provided with the MFL long-term plan which clearly indicates which units children are to be taught and when. Teachers have access to detailed lesson plans and short-term plans (unit overviews) for each unit on the Language Angels website.   The units are re-evaluated at the end of each year and staff feedback is vital for ensuring that children are gaining the most out of their curriculum.   

Teachers are encouraged to bring the language to life by planning experience sessions for children such as hosting an ice-cream café (Year 3), running a French fashion show (Year 4), French café (Year 5) and a Me in the World workshop (Year 6).