Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at Hillside
Vision:
Subject Leader: Miss Hewitt
Subject Support Coach: Miss McCann
Link Governor: tbc
At Hillside, we are determined to ensure each KS2 child receives high-quality MFL teaching. We chose to teach the children French as this supports their transition into our local high schools that also teach French. Lessons should teach children the skills needed to communicate confidently in French. Children should also be able to express their thoughts and ideas both in speech and writing. We follow Rising Stars Euro Stars scheme of work across Key Stage 2. The children enjoy using the resources including video stories, songs and games. The children have the opportunity to learn French vocabulary linked to a range of topics including money, animals and school. Throughout the week, the children are encouraged to use their French learning to answer the register.
Subject Leader
I am Miss Hewitt, MFL subject leader here at Hillside Primary school. As MFL lead, my role will be to support teachers, promote a love of language learning and to monitor the progress of the children. I believe early language learning is important as it gives children a good understanding of the structure of other languages and it gives children the opportunity to develop their cultural understanding. It also supports the children’s transition into local high schools which also teach French alongside other languages.
To support the progress children make across Key Stage 2, I we have created a progression map focused on Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing and understanding of Grammar. It also shows the vocabulary learnt in each class and how it builds over the years.
In order to gain an understanding of how French is taught across the school, I ensure that my subject is monitored termly, gaining evidence from books and pupil voice. This informs the strengths and areas for development in my subject, which I share with staff individually. During the monitoring I also get feedback from staff on the areas they feel are strengths/ areas for development and will support them to the best of my ability.
To support my role as MFL Lead, I attend regular collaboration meetings with other MFL leads across the city.
Curriculum Design
Our MFL curriculum is designed to be progressive, with children’s vocabulary building through Key Stage 2. Each year group complete 5 units. During the units, the children have the opportunity to practise and apply their speaking, listening, reading, writing skills and also develop their understanding of grammar.
Our Curriculum
The objectives for MFL in KS2 are clearly set out in the National Curriculum:
Key Stage 2
Pupils should be taught about:
- listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
- explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
- engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help*
- speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
- develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases*
- present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences*
- read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
- appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
- broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
- write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly
- describe people, places, things and actions orally* and in writing
- 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
The starred (*) content above will not be applicable to ancient languages.
The National Curriculum has been used to create the following:
MFL and SMSC
Spiritual: MFL supports Spiritual development by getting the pupils excited about learning about the world around them.
Moral: MFL supports Moral development by encouraging pupils to recognise the importance of learning a MFL from another country to enable them to respect how difficult it is when people visit Britain and try to speak a new language.
Social: MFL supports Social development by allowing children to work with a partner or as part of a group.
Cultural: MFL Supports Cultural development by encouraging children to appreciate the similarities and differences between France and Britain.
The contribution of MFL to teaching in other curriculum areas
English
The learning of a modern foreign language contributes to the development of our children’s listening and speaking skills. It also develops the children’s grasp of linguistic features such as rhyme, rhythm and emphasises the importance of knowing the role of different word types in sentence structure.
Mathematics
Children reinforce their time-telling skills by playing time-related games in the foreign language. We play number games, too, that reinforce their counting and calculation skills, expand their understanding of date, and increase their knowledge about money.
Personal, social and health education (PSHE)
One of the main benefits to the children of learning a modern foreign language at primary school level is a social one. It gives the children the opportunity to learn about cultures from a different country. Lessons also give children the opportunity to take part in paired/ group work.
Geography
We ask the children to do research on the different countries in which the French language is spoken after they have first found them on a map or a globe. In MFL lessons children will learn the names of cities and towns in France and will also begin to describe the weather.
Computing
Videos, games and programmes are used on the interactive whiteboard support and engage children in their French learning.
Enrichment
At Hillside, we aim to provide children with opportunities and enrichment to support and inspire their MFL learning. Here are some of the opportunities and events the children have taken part in recently.
French day
Every year, we hold a French day to promote French/language learning throughout school. The Year 5 children hold a French market which links to the learning they complete in class. The other classes complete a range of activities to support their language learning and give them an increasing understanding of the History, Geography and Culture of France.
Year 3 French Club and Year 2 Cookery and Craft Club Around the World
Children have the opportunity to join clubs that promote a love of French. The children in the groups enjoyed learning new French words, complete craft activities linked to their learning and try and make their own French inspired foods.
Events vary on a yearly basis.
As well as offering enrichment, we also ‘Develop the Individual’ by celebrating children’s achievements in MFL outside of the curriculum.
Pupil Voice
Our children have a love and enthusiasm for MFL at Hillside. The following quotes demonstrate some of the comments made when our children were asked about MFL at Hillside.
“It is interesting to learn a different language. I’m excited to use French when I go to Disney Land Paris.” Year Three pupil.
“I’ve been teaching my family how to count in French.” Year Four pupil.
“I like playing games during French lessons and doing actions alongside new words.” Year Five pupil.
“I enjoyed telling the time and looking at a French school timetable.” Year Six pupil.
Assessment for learning
Children demonstrate their ability in French during lessons through conversations with other pupils/ teachers and work completed during lessons. On completion of a piece of work, the teacher assesses the work and the level of understanding shown by the child. Written feedback is given and children are encouraged to self-assess their own learning. At the end of each unit of work, teachers complete an Excel spreadsheet, in which units are broken down into four skill: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Children are assessed as to whether they are emerging, developing and securing within these areas. This is used to provide accurate information to other teachers, the MFL subject leader and learning support assistants termly and during times of transition.
Growth Mindset and careers
At Hillside, we aim to foster a ‘can do’ attitude towards all subject areas. We encourage the children to think positively about their learning and believe in their ability to succeed. The children have been taught to believe that they can ‘do French.’ So instead of saying ‘I can’t do it!’ they children follow the sentence with YET! This growth mind-set approach towards French helps us all to achieve more than we believe we can.