Learning a language enriches the curriculum. It provides excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning throughout life. The natural links between languages and other areas
of the curriculum can enhance the overall teaching and learning experience. The skills, knowledge and understanding gained can make a major contribution to the development of children’s oracy and literacy and to their understanding of their own cultures and those of others.
At Park Community Academy we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop communication skills including key skills of speaking and listening and extends their knowledge of how language works. Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others.
Park Community Academy recognises the value of this entitlement and provides age-appropriate Primary Languages learning opportunities for pupils in KS2 and 3 who are able to extend their communication skills beyond their first language with consideration of the National Languages Strategy. The content of which supports oracy, literacy, intercultural understanding, Knowledge about Language (KAL) and Language Learning Strategies (LLS). The focus language taught in our school is French.
French Vision
Our curriculum ambition at PCA is for pupils to be able to experience the linguistic and cultural differences of the French language. Children will develop their ability be able to understand and respond in a different language.
In order to achieve this our golden threads are;
Reading
- To recognise key words in a French sentence
- To recognise key words and understand meaning
- To interpret informative French signs, labels and menus
- To interpret French text using known key words
Writing
- To write key words in French
- To write a correctly structured phrase/sentence in French
- To legibly communicate ideas effectively
Spoken
- To speak with clarity and accurate pronunciation
- To listen carefully with understanding
- To hold simple conversations in French
Children in KS2 and KS3 have a weekly lesson in MFL and there is opportunity for pupils in Year 9 to work towards AQA unit awards, a Pathways Entry Level 2 or 3 in this subject with the WJEC examination board by completing two units;
- Introducing yourself, family and friends in French 6290
- Being a tourist in a French speaking country 6293.
Points gained from this can then be credited to the ‘humanities’ certificate/award.
French Rolling Programme
