Languages
Welcome to languages at Chesswood
languages Vision
Through the teaching of French at Chesswood, each child will develop a positive attitude towards languages and respect for cultures other than their own. Children’s curiosity about the world around them will be fostered and understanding of their own language and culture will be deepened. Through a sequenced and progressive curriculum, all children will leave Year 6 with a degree of competency in the French language, enabling them to confidently communicate in relevant and real-life situations and purposes.
Learning will be focused on the core language learning strands: listening attentively to the spoken language and showing understanding by joining in and responding; reading French and showing understanding of words, phrases and simple writing; writing words and sentences and eventually short passages; cultural understanding.
Listening, speaking and spoken interaction has a more prominent place in language learning than in most if not all other areas of the curriculum. In the early stages, children will spend much of their time listening, speaking and interacting orally and will be given regular and frequent opportunities to listen to a good model of pronunciation. Exposure to songs, rhymes and native French speakers will engage all children and enable them to develop a life-long love of language learning.
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languages principles
In line with the whole school curriculum policy, the following drivers and principles underpin everything we do in Languages.
Curriculum Drivers
Life Opportunities
Creativity, Confidence, Competence
Curriculum Principles
Balanced
Coherent
Real & Relevant
Knowledge Rich
Cognitively Challenging
Inclusive
languages strategy
Life Opportunities
Learning another language is a key life skill which will open up many life opportunities. It raises awareness of the multilingual and multicultural world and introduces an international dimension to pupils’ learning, giving them an insight into their own culture and those of others. As pupils begin to understand and appreciate different cultures, people and communities, they too begin to think of themselves as citizens of the world as well as of the United Kingdom. This will help to liberate children from insularity
Creativity Confidence Competence
The languages curriculum at Chesswood is sequenced and progressive. Knowledge builds upon knowledge and this, along with the skills acquired, enables pupils to become confident and competent linguists. Children use the vocabulary and skills learned to share their own ideas, first orally and then through writing.
Balanced
French is taught for an equal and set amount of time in every year group. This weekly 30 minute allocation can either be taught in two 15 minute chunks or one 30 minute lesson. It is taught every week across all year groups. Lessons are focused on listening to the spoken language, vocabulary acquisition, reading, oral rehearsal, writing and cultural understanding.
Coherent
Whilst making links to various other subjects, the place and importance of language learning is the core focus. Knowledge, skills, concepts and vocabulary in languages are coherently planned and sequenced progressively. The French leaders have autonomy to build and oversee the languages curriculum, ensuring they have a full understanding of the progressive journey children have through the units planned.
Real and Relevant
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Knowledge Rich
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Cognitively Challenging
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Inclusive
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languages long term plan