MFL at Bitterne Manor Primary School

Since September 2014, the new National Curriculum has made learning a language compulsory in Key Stage 2. With Primary Languages Network’s team’s history, knowledge, and background, we were impressed with their standards, curriculum, and teaching style. The majority of schools only offer the language that teachers feel most able to cope with, however, with Primary Languages Network, our teachers are able to learn on-the-go, teach interactively, attend CPD events, have the opportunity to practice conversationally and use of DVDs and online resources during class. They also provide the opportunity for staff upskilling and contracting their specialist language teachers to come into school. Primary Languages Network has given our teachers and pupils confidence to speak another language and our teachers to support the children’s language-learning at home.

Intent

At Bitterne Manor Primary School, we regularly use our hands across the curriculum to develop our communication skills. We believe that communication is a vital skill for all of our children, which includes the ability to communicate effectively in other languages. We aim to promote this by ensuring all children in KS2 (Years 3 - 6) have the opportunity to learn how to listen, read, write and speak confidently in a second language. An understanding of different countries and cultures promotes a culture of respect and tolerance, which encourages our young people to be considerate and active members of our global community. 

Implementation

All children in KS2 currently have half an hour of French per week, which is taught by their class teachers with the support of the PLN programme. As French is a new language for the majority of our children, all classes are currently working on Stage 1 of the programme. Next year, all year groups (apart from the new Year 3s), will be working on Stage 2. Once this curriculum is embedded, Year 3 will be working on Stage 1, Year 4 will be working on Stage 2, Year 5 on Stage 3 and Year 6 on Stage 4. Details for each stage of the curriculum can be found below. 

At the end of each unit taught, the children complete a short task, which assesses their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills within the context of the unit.

This phonics map shows when and how we teach each of the sounds in French.