Languages - 'Every Child a Linguist'
At Gorsewood Primary School, we want every child to see themselves as a linguist. Through our French curriculum, children develop the confidence to listen, speak, read and write in another language whilst gaining a greater understanding of the world around them.
Learning a foreign language opens doors to new cultures, traditions and ways of thinking. It encourages curiosity, broadens horizons and helps children develop valuable communication skills that will support them throughout their education and beyond.
Our Vision for Languages
We believe that all children should experience an exciting, rich and engaging languages curriculum that develops their confidence and enjoyment of learning another language.
Our aim is to inspire children to become curious and enthusiastic language learners who are willing to take risks, embrace new challenges and communicate with increasing confidence. Through learning French, pupils develop an appreciation of different cultures and gain a greater understanding of the diverse world in which they live.
How We Teach French
French is taught through carefully planned lessons that follow the National Curriculum and build progressively upon prior learning. We plan our lessons using the Grammarsaurus French scheme.
Learning is designed to ensure that pupils develop both language knowledge and communication skills. Children are given opportunities to:
- Listen carefully to spoken French and demonstrate their understanding.
- Join in with songs, stories, rhymes and conversations.
- Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity.
- Read and understand words, phrases and simple texts.
- Write words, phrases and sentences for different purposes.
- Develop their understanding of French pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.
- Communicate ideas, facts and feelings in both spoken and written French.
Teaching focuses on practical communication and provides a balance between speaking, listening, reading and writing. Lessons are engaging, challenging and enjoyable, allowing children to develop their language skills through meaningful and memorable learning experiences.
Meeting the Needs of All Learners
At Gorsewood Primary School, we believe that every child can be successful in learning a foreign language. French lessons are carefully adapted to ensure that all pupils can access the curriculum, participate with confidence and make good progress.
Teachers use a range of strategies to support and challenge learners, including:
- Visual prompts, images and gestures to support understanding.
- Repetition and regular practice of key vocabulary and phrases.
- Songs, games, stories and practical activities to engage learners.
- Opportunities to hear and model accurate pronunciation.
- Structured speaking and listening activities to build confidence.
- Vocabulary mats, word banks and other scaffolds where needed.
- Challenge activities that encourage children to extend their language skills and apply their learning independently.
- Adaptations and additional support to ensure all pupils can access lessons and achieve success.
We recognise that children learn languages in different ways and at different rates. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, we encourage all pupils to develop confidence, resilience and enjoyment in learning French. Our aim is for every child to leave primary school with positive attitudes towards languages and a foundation for further language learning at secondary school.
Developing Language Skills
As children progress through Key Stage 2, they build their knowledge of French vocabulary and grammar while becoming increasingly confident in communicating with others.
They learn to:
- Understand familiar words and phrases.
- Ask and answer questions.
- Express opinions and preferences.
- Hold simple conversations.
- Read and understand increasingly challenging texts.
- Write accurately using familiar vocabulary and sentence structures.
By revisiting and building upon prior learning, children develop a strong foundation that prepares them for language learning at secondary school and beyond.
Languages and Future Opportunities
Language learning provides children with skills that are highly valued in an increasingly connected world. Being able to communicate in another language helps children develop confidence, resilience and cultural awareness.
Languages can lead to opportunities in many careers, including:
- International business
- Travel and tourism
- Education
- Translation and interpreting
- Journalism and media
- Diplomacy and government
- Hospitality and customer service
Most importantly, learning a language helps children develop an appreciation of different cultures and prepares them to become global citizens.
What We Aim for Our Children to Achieve
By the time children leave Gorsewood Primary School, we want them to:
- Develop a love of language learning.
- Communicate confidently using spoken and written French.
- Understand and respond to familiar language.
- Build a secure foundation for learning further languages.
- Show curiosity and respect for other cultures and traditions.
- Develop confidence in expressing themselves in another language.
- Recognise the value of languages in the wider world.
French in Action
We are proud of the enthusiasm our children show for learning French. Through speaking activities, games, songs, role-play, storytelling and cultural experiences, pupils develop their language skills in a fun and engaging environment.
Take a look at the photographs below to see some of the exciting French learning taking place across our school.
"To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world."
Chinese Proverb 🇫🇷🌍✨