Languages SEQUENCE OVERVIEW

TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL Languages SEQUENCE OVERVIEW PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW

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. Progression will be demonstrated through the three pillars of language learning: phonics, vocabulary and grammar. 

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.

 

European Day of Languages Celebration!

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

French learning is rooted in real and relevant experiences for children. The focus on speaking and listening enables children to communicate their thoughts and ideas in the target language whilst the cultural understanding offers them an appreciation of the very real differences and similarities between countries and cultures – this is of particular relevance and importance in today’s world.

 

Knowledge Rich

The French curriculum seeks to sequence knowledge, vocabulary and grammar effectively, ensuring that children have a good understanding of core language skills to enable them to progress from unit to unit. Core knowledge and vocabulary are specified in detail and laid out in knowledge organisers for each unit.

 

Cognitively Challenging

The French curriculum at Chesswood seeks to enable children to see learning languages as an on-going process not a one-off event.  It seeks to introduce children to the differences between languages and cultures. Units have been built to ensure that all children’s French language knowledge and skills are stretched and developed with a key focus on vocabulary and listening and speaking skills.

Inclusive

The French curriculum has been developed in a way that gives all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. By the end of Year 6, we aim for every pupil to have a good working knowledge of the French language, as well as French culture.