Modern Foreign Languages
How we teach, learn and assess Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at Roman Way Academy
At Roman Way Academy, children in year 3 and 4 have a weekly French lesson.
Learning a new language helps prepare our pupils to be well-rounded citizens who are ready to explore the wider world. It teaches children to notice links and to problem solve. It develops their confidence in speaking in unfamiliar contexts and opens up many exciting opportunities!
Children will develop their ability to express themselves in speech and writing and understand what they hear and read in French. We aim to extend their knowledge of how language works and explore the similarities and differences between French and English.
We always start by looking at where in the world French is spoken and begin with basic greetings. French is taught using the ‘Language Angels’ programme. New vocabulary is introduced gradually, first by listening and then by reading. A variety of songs, games, role-play activities and challenges are used to embed new vocabulary and give children regular opportunities to practise.
Lessons are sequenced so that previous learning is revisited and built upon as children begin to form longer phrases and sentences. Links are explored and discussed to help children remember new vocabulary and recognise common sounds in French (such as ch and on in chanson or champignon).
Core vocabulary is woven into lesson warm-ups and through instructions given in French during lessons. This includes greetings, classroom commands, numbers, colours, days of the week and months of the year. Key questions are revisited regularly. (How are you? What are you called? How old are you? Where do you live?)
Teachers give immediate feedback in lessons. Whole class responses are used, such as thumbs up/down, and children are given frequent opportunities to practise speaking and develop confidence. Children often mark their own work, so they can correct their own mistakes and learn from them. At the end of each Language Angels unit, there is an assessment task which covers speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
Children who are not making good progress are identified and support is put in place to scaffold the learning. We ensure that every child can enjoy speaking French and experience success.
We recognise the skills children may bring from home if they speak other languages outside of school. We warmly welcome children and parents to share their home languages with the school community. We know that being multilingual is of huge value and something to be celebrated and nurtured.
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