At Ryders Green, we strive to give every child, every opportunity, at their one chance in primary school.

Foreign Languages is taught across Key Stage Two. The children learn French here at Ryders Green and the aim is to understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of sources. Throughout the curriculum children will join in and respond to the spoken language, explore sounds and patterns, engage in conversations, ask and answer questions and describe people.

What are the intentions of our French curriculum at Ryders Green Primary School?

To develop an interest in learning other languages and to introduce young children to another language in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating. To encourage children’s confidence and creative skills through the exploration of another language. To stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language.

How do we implement our intentions for French at Ryders Green Primary School?

In line with the National Curriculum for MFL, pupils are taught to:

  1. listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
  2. explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
  3. engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help
  4. speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
  5. develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases
  6. present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences
  7. read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
  8. appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
  9. broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
  10. write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clear
  11. describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing
  12. understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including (where relevant): feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English.

What is our intended impact of French at Ryders Green Primary School?

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

  • Observing children speaking and listening in another language.
  • Marking of written work.
  • Images and videos of children completing speaking and listening activities.
  • Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
  • Moderation staff meetings where pupil’s work is scrutinised and there is the opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work.
  • Annual reporting of standards across the curriculum to parents.
  • Learning walks.
  • Subject tracking.

The MFL subject leader will continually monitor the impact MFL teaching is having on the children’s learning, through work scrutinies, to ensure the progress of knowledge and skills is being taught.  They will also ensure the knowledge taught is retained by the children and continually revisited and that the learners are able to apply the skills they have been taught to a variety of different settings, showing independence with their learning. Impact will also be measured through key questioning skills built into lessons, child-led assessment such as success criteria grids and summative assessments aimed at targeting next steps in learning.

French: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-languages-progammes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-languages-progammes-of-study

Our approach to the curriculum meets our duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014


Languages and a STEM career

Updated February 2023