Modern Foreign Languages – French
The high quality Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at Norbridge Academy develops knowledge beyond the everyday experience of the children and inspires pupils to want to know more about the world in which they live. It provides them with the skills needed to be able to engage with the wider world, equipping them for life beyond the classroom and in their onward journey of language to KS3.
Our chosen language is French, which is taught through the comprehensive and progressive ‘Language Angels’ scheme in EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others, and cultural differences.
The four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading, and writing are taught and all necessary phonics, grammar and vocabulary is covered in a logical and progressive way across the primary phase. This enables our pupils to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning and helping them to improve overall attainment in other subject areas.
At Norbridge Academy, children learn French as their second language because:
- French is the fifth most spoken language in the world.
- The British Council estimate that 100-200 million people around the world speak French as a second language.
- French is, along with English, the only language spoken on all five continents.
- French can be used as a ‘gateway’ to learn other languages; it has many similarities to Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
- The vast range of countries that speak French makes an understanding of the language very useful for those who want to travel and experience such countries.
- Many aspects of French culture have become world-renowned and famous i.e., Claude Monet.