French

French is the Modern Foreign Language taught to pupils in Key Stage 2 ( Years 3 to 6) here at Grendon Underwood school. We use Language Angels, an interactive platform with audio-visuals designed and spoken by native speakers. Lessons of one hour per week involve a mix of speaking, listening, reading and writing activities. There are engaging Powerpoints, interactive whiteboard materials, catchy songs and raps, language games and lots of conversational practice. The children are given a good idea of Francophone traditions and special events. As stated in The National Curriculum, we believe that the languages education ‘should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers……It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes.’ We aim to spark the children’s interest in other cultures and provide the foundation for learning further languages at secondary school, equipping them with strategies for study and work in other countries.

 

The National Curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic resources.
  • speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say.
  • continue to improve the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
  • can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures they have learnt.
  •  discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied.

Pupils are taught to:

  • listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding.
  • explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes.
  • engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others.
  • speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures.
  • develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading  aloud or using familiar words and phrases.
  • read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing.
  • appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language.
  • broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary.
  • write phrases from memory and adapt these to create new sentences.
  • understand basic grammar.

 

Children are taught topics in units each term, as listed below:

 

Autumn term 1 Autumn term 2 Spring term 1 Spring term 2 Summer term 1 Summer term 2
Year 3 J’apprends le français

( I’m learning French.)

 Les formes

 (shapes)

 Les animaux 

(animals)

 Les instruments

( musical instruments.)

 Je peux 

              (I am able)

 Petit chaperon rouge            

( Little Red Riding Hood.)
Year 4 Je me présente 

( Presenting myself.)

 Ma famille 

( My family.)

 Chez moi

 ( My home.)

 Les saisons 

(Seasons.)

 Quel temps fait-il? 

( What is the weather?)

 Les vêtements 

( Clothes.)
Year 5 Je me présente ( Presenting myself) As-tu un animal ? 

( Do you have a pet?)

 La date

( the date)

 En classe 

( In the classroom.)

 Au salon de thé 

( At the Tea Room.)

 Boucle d’or et les trois ours 

( Goldilocks and the Three Bears.)
Year 6 À l’école

 ( At school.)

 Le weekend ( The weekend) La seconde guerre mondiale ( The Second World War) Manger et bouger 

( Healthy Lifestyles.)

 Moi dans le monde

( Me in the World.)

 Le petit déjeuner français 

( French breakfast.)

 

.