Modern and Foreign Languages at KWPS
Subject Leader: Miss J Scott
EYFS and Key Stage 1
Although formal Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) teaching begins in Key Stage 2, younger children begin developing an awareness of different languages and cultures through songs, stories, greetings, rhymes and everyday classroom routines.
From Year 2, children are introduced to the French language through simple vocabulary and spoken activities, providing an early foundation for future language learning.
Key Stage 2
French is taught using the Language Angels scheme, which provides a carefully sequenced curriculum that develops pupils' confidence and competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- Year 3 and Year 4 receive a weekly 30-minute French lesson.
- Year 5 and Year 6 receive a weekly 45-minute French lesson.
Lessons are interactive, engaging and practical, encouraging children to communicate with increasing confidence while developing accurate pronunciation and intonation.
Children progressively develop knowledge and skills across:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
- Grammar
- Pronunciation
- Cultural Understanding
Learning is recorded using Book Creator, allowing pupils to capture spoken language alongside written work and celebrate their progress over time.
Enrichment
Modern Foreign Languages is enriched through:
- European Day of Languages
- cultural celebrations
- songs and rhymes
- French stories
- cross-curricular learning
- opportunities to hear and use spoken French throughout school life.
These experiences help children appreciate the value of learning another language while developing an understanding of different cultures and traditions.
Cross-Curricular Learning
French is closely linked with many curriculum areas, including:
- Geography – countries, continents and cultures
- Music – songs, rhythm and pronunciation
- English – grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure
- Computing – digital recording and presentation
- Personal Development – understanding diversity and global citizenship.
Inclusive Practice
Every child has the opportunity to succeed in Modern Foreign Languages.
Learning is adapted through modelling, scaffolding, visual resources, repetition, partner work and adult guidance where appropriate. High expectations are maintained while ensuring every pupil develops confidence as a language learner.
Intent
At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, we believe learning a modern foreign language opens children's minds to new cultures, broadens their horizons and prepares them for life in an increasingly connected world.
Our ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum develops confident, enthusiastic language learners who enjoy communicating in French while gaining an appreciation of different cultures and traditions.
Children progressively develop their knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and sentence structure, enabling them to communicate with increasing confidence through speaking, listening, reading and writing.
By the time pupils leave KWPS, they have developed the confidence, curiosity and language-learning skills needed for the next stage of their education.
Implementation
Our French curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is delivered through the Language Angels scheme of work, ensuring clear progression from Year 3 to Year 6.
Lessons are carefully sequenced to build knowledge and confidence over time while revisiting and extending previously learned vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Children progressively develop skills across six key areas.
Listening
Children develop attentive listening skills through songs, conversations, stories and spoken activities.
Speaking
Children practise pronunciation, intonation and conversational language through structured speaking activities and partner work.
Reading
Children read increasingly complex words, phrases and short texts while developing confidence in understanding written French.
Writing
Children progress from writing individual words to constructing increasingly accurate sentences using familiar vocabulary and grammar.
Grammar
Children develop an understanding of simple grammatical structures, including nouns, adjectives, verbs and sentence construction.
Cultural Understanding
Children explore French traditions, celebrations, geography and everyday life while developing respect and appreciation for different cultures.
Subject-specific vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited throughout every unit, enabling pupils to communicate with increasing accuracy and confidence.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous and informs future teaching.
Teachers assess children's understanding through:
- observation
- questioning
- speaking activities
- pupil discussion
- written work
- end-of-unit assessments
- teacher assessment.
Learning is also recorded using Book Creator, allowing pupils to demonstrate both spoken and written language development.
Assessment is used to identify misconceptions, celebrate success and ensure all pupils make strong progress.
Impact
By the time pupils leave KWPS they will:
- communicate confidently using simple spoken and written French
- understand and respond to everyday spoken language
- read and write increasingly accurately
- demonstrate secure pronunciation and fluency
- understand key aspects of French culture
- develop confidence and enthusiasm for learning languages.
Our pupils leave KWPS as confident, curious and respectful language learners who are well prepared for further language learning at secondary school.
National Curriculum Aims
Our curriculum reflects the aims of the National Curriculum by enabling pupils to:
- understand and respond to spoken and written language
- speak with increasing confidence and accuracy
- communicate through speaking, reading and writing
- appreciate a range of cultures and traditions
- develop a lifelong interest in language learning.
What is Taught in Each Year Group
Our French curriculum has been carefully sequenced from Year 3 to Year 6, ensuring progression in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and communication skills.
Please view our MFL Curriculum Overview and Progression Documents below to explore the learning that takes place in each year group.
Progression of Skills
Children progressively develop knowledge and skills across:
- listening
- speaking
- reading
- writing
- grammar
- pronunciation
- cultural understanding.
Each year builds upon previous learning, enabling pupils to communicate with increasing confidence, fluency and accuracy.
Inclusion and Accessibility
We are committed to ensuring every child can access and succeed within the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum.
We meet our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and SEND Code of Practice by:
- adapting teaching where appropriate
- providing scaffolds and visual supports
- using repetition and modelling
- offering targeted support
- maintaining ambitious expectations for every learner.
Our curriculum celebrates cultural diversity and encourages children to become respectful, informed global citizens.
Find Out More
If you would like further information about Modern Foreign Languages at Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, please contact:
Miss J Scott
Modern Foreign Languages Subject Leader
Enquiries can be made through the school office.