MFL Overview

Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1

Children in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 will regularly be exposed to different languages, including children's home languages, in order to foster an interest in foreign language learning. This will take place through discrete teaching activities such as taking the register, singing songs, performing action rhymes and sharing stories in another language.

Key Stage 2

All children will learn French throughout Key Stage 2, acquiring the competences set out in the new Primary National Curriculum. The emphasis will be on practical communication. Teaching in each year group will involve as many interactive and fun activities as possible, including songs, action rhymes, poems, games, role play and storytelling. Previously learnt vocabulary will be revised and incorporated into new language learning.

Modern Foreign Language teaching will cover all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in each year group.

In Years 3 and 4 there will be a greater focus on listening and speaking.

In Years 5 and 6 there will be an increasing emphasis on reading and writing.

Children in KS2 will progress within the Breakthrough Level (A1) as set by the Common European Framework for Languages (Council of Europe 2001):

Listening: I can understand familiar words and very basic phrases when people speak slowly and clearly.

Speaking: I can use simple phrases and sentences. I can also talk to someone in a simple way, asking and answering questions.

Reading: I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences.

Writing: I can write a short, simple postcard or e-mail message. I can write simple information about myself.

The Breakthrough Level corresponds to grades 1 to 3 of the 'Languages Ladder' (National Strategy for Languages 2002). Some children may enter the Preliminary Level (A2), corresponding to grade 4 of the Languages Ladder.

A shortened version of the Junior 'European Language Portfolio' (ELP) will be used as a self-assessment tool and an open-ended record of children's achievements in languages throughout KS2.