Modern Foreign Languages at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School

At St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, children in Key Stage 2 are taught French. We believe that learning a modern foreign language helps children to develop curiosity about the wider world, an appreciation of other cultures and the confidence to communicate in another language.

French is taught by Cathie Ajlouni, a native French teacher. Children have one hour of French teaching per week every other half term throughout Key Stage 2. They learn through high-quality speaking and listening, songs, stories, reading, writing and opportunities to perform. As pupils’ confidence and understanding develop, they begin to use French more independently, including translating and performing well-known stories for their parents.

Our French curriculum also helps children learn about the culture of France, as well as other places in the world where French is spoken. The long-term plan shows that pupils learn through themes including greetings, introductions, numbers, colours, body parts, food, animals, school, sport, celebrations, French history and cultural understanding.

Intent

Our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum aims to:

Develop children’s confidence and enjoyment in learning French.

Enable children to understand and respond to spoken and written French.

Develop children’s ability to speak in French with increasing confidence, fluency and accuracy.

Teach children to read and write French using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures.

Build children’s understanding of French phonics, pronunciation and intonation.

Help children learn about French culture, traditions, celebrations and where French is spoken in the wider world.

Encourage children to perform, converse and communicate for real purposes.

Prepare children for language learning at secondary school.

Implementation

Specialist teaching: French is taught by Cathie Ajlouni, a native French teacher, who supports pupils to develop accurate pronunciation, confidence and enthusiasm.

Lesson structure: Children have one hour of French teaching per week every other half term throughout Key Stage 2.

Speaking and listening: Children learn the spoken language primarily through high-quality speaking and listening activities, songs, rhymes, stories and conversations.

Stories and performance: Pupils learn French through familiar children’s stories and fairy tales. As their confidence grows, they begin to translate and perform well-known stories in French.

Progressive learning: Each year, pupils revisit and deepen key language skills through different texts and themes. The long-term plan sets out progression across Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 in listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar.

Cultural understanding: Children learn about France, French traditions and celebrations, as well as other French-speaking places around the world.

Reading and writing: Pupils begin by recognising and using familiar words and phrases. As they move through Key Stage 2, they develop the ability to read short texts, use dictionaries, broaden vocabulary and write sentences using familiar language structures.

Grammar and phonics: Children develop an understanding of French grammar, including nouns, gender, singular and plural forms, personal pronouns, question words, word order, adjectival agreement, prepositions and verb patterns.

Supporting SEND Learners in Modern Foreign Languages

At St Catherine’s, we ensure that all children can access and enjoy learning French.

Lessons include songs, repetition, visual support and actions to help children remember new language.

Key vocabulary is revisited regularly so that children can build confidence over time.

Speaking and listening activities allow pupils to practise language in a supportive way.

Tasks are adapted so that children can participate successfully.

Children are encouraged to join in, perform and communicate at their own level.

Impact

Through our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum, children at St Catherine’s:

Develop confidence in listening to, speaking, reading and writing French.

Learn to understand and respond to familiar words, phrases and sentences.

Speak with increasing fluency, accuracy and spontaneity as they move through Key Stage 2.

Develop an understanding of French phonics, pronunciation and intonation.

Learn about French culture, traditions, celebrations and the wider French-speaking world.

Build the confidence to perform and communicate in French.

Are prepared for further language learning at secondary school.

By the end of Key Stage 2, children are expected to be able to converse in French and write using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures.