Curriculum
Rationale
Modern Foreign Languages
The Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at Ashleigh Primary School has been designed to develop pupils’ awareness of different cultures and an understanding of the French language. Providing them with the opportunities to gain confidence when learning new languages, as well as creating empathetic individuals who are able to identify similarities or differences between cultures. In doing so, we encourage our children to appreciate different perspectives and alternative cultural phenomena. The approach to the curriculum will equip pupils with the skills to learn new languages, in preparation for high school and beyond. These skills will support them with employability, social skills, as well as developing a lifelong appreciation of language and diversity. We want Ashleigh pupils to leave our school with an understanding of different cultures and the ability to consider how communication can be key to personal development, which in turn opens up new doors and prospects.
Our MFL curriculum promotes tolerance, understanding and awareness of other cultures. Our children will be able to use their awareness of language as an instrument to appreciate human social identity and establish social/cultural relationships. Modern Foreign Languages allows Ashleigh students to play a role as global citizens and combat prejudice in line with our ethos: ‘All different, all equal, all learning’.
By the end of Y6, Ashleigh children will be able introduce and talk about themselves in French. They will be able to share key information as well as be able to discuss their likes and dislikes relating to activities, food and drink as well as school. Children will be able to ask and respond to simple questions and have a basic knowledge of numbers along with months of the year and days of the week.
Children will be confident enough to initiate a simple conversation and apply their French knowledge to scenarios in their life e.g. when visiting a French speaking country on holiday.
The children at Ashleigh will also be able to discuss some of the key aspects of French culture, including celebrations, famous people and landmarks.
Cultural Links – Matisse
Year 4 have spent the first half of the Autumn term learning the names of colours in French. This week the re-capped what they had learnt and applied this knowledge to a French artist’s work. The children learnt all about Henri Matisse and looked how he used vibrant colours within his work. The children had an opportunity to practice their speaking by using the French names to identify the colours that Matisse had used. After this, the children created their own artwork inspired by Matisse’s creations.
