Welcome to our MFL page!

Bonjour, Je m’appelle Madame Hannam!

Children at Dane Royd love learning languages and they are keen to explore other cultures and learn about different countries. Languages are an integral part of the curriculum and it is rewarding to see children become increasingly confident in aspects of language learning, well prepared for learning at Key Stage 3.

Mrs Hannam
MFL Lead

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Intent - What do we want for our children in MFL?

We are ambitious for all our children in the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages. The MFL curriculum at Dane Royd Junior and Infant School begins in Upper Foundation Stage and continues through to Year 6. We teach French as our first Modern Foreign Language, taught by a language specialist with a degree in French and German.

In French our intention is that children develop an interest in French in a way that is both enjoyable and stimulating. We encourage children’s confidence whilst developing their curiosity as to how language is structured.

Our programme of study is very clear and well sequenced. Grammar is taught systematically to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts laying the foundations for future language learning.

When teaching languages we aim to:

Develop a love of languages and an appreciation of how language works
Enhance confidence in spoken language, pronouncing common graphemes to promote accurate pronunciation and intonation
Improve confidence in learning new vocabulary including how to use a bilingual dictionary and the strategies need to commit words to memory
Teach an understanding of key concepts such as gender, adjectival agreement, word order and the use of high frequency verbs
Provide the opportunity to read and appreciate stories, poems and rhymes along with the ability to respond to language from authentic sources
Develop confidence in writing, integrating new language into previously learned language

Reading

Reading is promoted through our scheme of work ensuring that children have regular opportunities to read sentences and short texts and hear French stories read aloud. These include rhymes, song lyrics, short paragraphs and French literature through the form of poetry, which is taught in upper key stage 2. Children are also exposed to authentic material and encouraged to use their reading skills to find their way through a text, drawing on their knowledge of their own language to decipher meaning and recognising language patterns.

Our classroom environments celebrate learning in French and provide the opportunity for children to read at word level, sentence level and text level, consolidating current learning. Our reading area includes a range of French texts, including magazines and short stories.

Implement - How will we achieve this?

We follow the Little Languages Scheme of Work in EYFS and Key Stage 1 and the ‘Wakefield/La Jolie Ronde’ Scheme of work in Key Stage 2 to ensure coverage and progression across school. Both schemes are written by the Wakefield School Improvement Advisor Rachel Redfearn.

Children are encouraged and supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversational work, singing activities and games. As confidence and skill grows, children record their work through pictures, captions and sentences. By Years 5 and 6 children are writing in paragraphs confidently applying key vocabulary, sentence structures and French grammar in their extended writing French is taught weekly throughout the school. We teach French in a logical sequenced order building on and revisiting high frequency language, teaching through topics that allow children to apply their knowledge of grammatical structures and key phrases. Children have to opportunity to listen to stories being read in the target language as well as read stories for themselves, accessing our MFL school library. In MFL lessons we constantly revisit language skills and build on and recap knowledge. Children have the opportunity to share their language learning beyond the classroom through class assemblies and MFL focused events.

Assessment

Our Scheme of Work has clear age-related expectations; it is clear what children should be able to do and understand in MFL. Assessment is based upon the explicit expectations written in the long term plan which includes pupils’ attainment in grammar, phonics and vocabulary. We strive to ensure that our pupils’ attainment is in line with or exceeds their potential when we consider the varied starting points of all our children.

Our MFL Curriculum Overview

MFL is not statutory in the curriculum in Nursery however children are encouraged to develop a sense of global awareness through the following:

· Stories from different cultures, representations of some different countries around the world available for free-choice in book corner and read aloud as part of the curriculum over the course of the year.

· Discuss cultural celebrations celebrated around the world Chinese New Year, Eid, Holi – examine photos, handle artefacts/props/ costumes in the role-play corner.

Nursery participates in whole-school languages day activities as planned by the MFL lead. This year we coloured some flags and learnt a song in French.

Please note - Knowledge Organisers are available upon request.

MFL Policy

KS1 MFL Content

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL PROGRESSION MAPS:
Please note that knowledge and skill progression maps are available for parents/carers upon request, highlighting the learning journey in our school. However, we regret that publishing these maps online is not possible, as our school follows a purchased scheme of work. Please feel free to approach the school administration if you require further information regarding your child's progress in specific subjects.

Impact - What difference will it make to our children?

At Dane Royd Junior and Infant School, pupils leave KS2 well prepared for the rigour of language learning at KS3 and beyond. It is our hope that the vast majority of our former pupils will take and be successful in GCSE languages or as part of their Ebacc qualification. The teaching of foreign languages supports children to be confident communicators and think as global citizens. The MFL curriculum goes beyond the teaching of a language, it includes intercultural understanding and the aspects of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. MFL is monitored by our subject leader throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies. These include class assemblies, book scrutinies, lesson observations, staff discussions and pupil voice.

What do our children like about MFL?

"I like reading stories in French and enjoy acting them out."

Joel - Year 3

"I love learning a different language and all about France. I also like singing songs in French."

Mabel - Year 2

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"In French I like writing sentences and using different accents."

Dylan - Year 5

"I like the French language because I love pronouncing all the tricky words and creating my own sentences."

Freya - Year 6

"In French I like writing sentences and using different accents."

Dylan - Year 5

"I like Spanish Club because I love Spanish culture and the language is amazing."

Harmony - Year 6

CEIP Alcorac Henríquez Link School

Our Spanish Link School

Dane Royd has established an exciting link with a school in Gran Canaria. Our partner school, CEIP Alcorac Henríquez is located in Las Palmas. Children in Year 5 and Year 6 have the opportunity to liaise with pen pals from the school and there is now a popular Spanish lunchtime club for KS2 children.

As part of our link with CEIP Alcorac Henríquez we are establishing a broadcast radio project. Our school has been invited to take part in a cross European programme in 2024 where we will be able to share our and listen to recorded radio programmes with schools in six European countries. Our radio station broadcasts will be available online for children and parents to listen to at home.