MFL at Bitterne Manor Primary School

Since September 2014, learning a foreign language has been compulsory in Key Stage 2 as part of the National Curriculum. Bitterne Manor Primary School uses Primary Languages Network to support the teaching of French due to its high-quality curriculum, expertise, and engaging teaching approach.

Primary Languages Network provides teachers with interactive resources, ongoing CPD, and opportunities to develop their own language knowledge while teaching. This support has increased both staff confidence and pupil enthusiasm, enabling children to develop positive attitudes towards language learning and practise their skills both in school and at home.

Curriculum Intent

At Bitterne Manor Primary School, 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. 

Curriculum Implementation

At Bitterne Manor Primary School, French is taught as our Modern Foreign Language (MFL) using the structured and progressive scheme provided by the Primary Languages Network (PLN). The curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure pupils develop confidence, curiosity, and competence in language learning while building strong foundations for future study at Key Stage 3.

French is taught throughout Key Stage 2 through weekly lessons that follow the Primary Languages Network progression model. The scheme provides clearly mapped learning pathways which ensure that pupils revisit and build upon prior knowledge, allowing language skills to develop cumulatively over time.

Learning is organised into thematic units that introduce and reinforce:

• Vocabulary acquisition and retention
• Speaking and pronunciation skills
• Listening comprehension
• Reading understanding
• Writing for purpose
• Grammar awareness appropriate for age and stage

Curriculum Impact

The impact of the French curriculum at Bitterne Manor Primary School is that pupils develop confidence, enjoyment, and competence in learning a new language. Through the structured progression of the Primary Languages Network scheme, pupils build and retain vocabulary over time and increasingly apply their knowledge through speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils can understand and respond to familiar language, speak in short sentences with improving pronunciation, read simple texts, and write basic phrases independently. Pupils demonstrate curiosity about different cultures and develop positive attitudes towards language learning.

Pupils leave primary school with secure foundations in French and the confidence and skills needed to continue language learning successfully at Key Stage 3.