French

At Ashmount, children learn French. Our French lessons are taught by Claire, a fluent French speaker, alongside the usual class teacher. We use the Language Angels scheme of work to support our French teaching which ensures that there is clear year on year progression. Children begin their language journey with French in Reception, however children do not begin regular French lessons until they are in Year 1.

Below is an overview of French throughout the school.

Reception

Children are immersed in French primarily through songs and rhymes. In Reception, children are exposed to French in the second half of the Autumn term. During the half term children will:

• Respond to simple known songs with gestures
• Respond with actions to stories read aloud with visual support
• Recognise simple greeting

Key Stage 1

In KS1, French is taught weekly for 30 minutes across three half terms over the academic year. The children learn French through songs, stories and games. The focus in Key Stage 1 is building the children’s confidence to ‘have a go’ at speaking French with correct pronunciation as well as developing vocabulary. By the end of KS1 children will have:

• Exchanged simple greetings with each other.
• Responded to simple, known songs with gestures and join in singing.
• Responded with actions to stories read aloud.
• Learned the names for different animals, musical instruments and fruits.
• Responded to familiar questions.
• Learned about some of the differences of culture.

Key Stage 2

In KS2, French is taught for one hour across three half terms over the academic year. French is taught through stories, songs, poems, rhymes and paintings following the objectives of the National Curriculum KS2 languages programme of study.

Lessons provide opportunities for speaking and listening, with writing and some reading where relevant. Lessons are interactive and French is spoken as much as possible. Objectives covered in KS2:

• 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 the words.
• Engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions; respond to those of others; seek clarification and help.
• Speak in sentences using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures. Present ideas and information to a range of audiences
• Appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language.
• Develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases.
• Read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing.
• Broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words introduced into familiar written material, including using a dictionary.
• Describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing.
• Write words from memory and adapt these to create new sentences and to express ideas clearly.
• Understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied; 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.

French club

Claire runs an after school French club for children in KS2 and a lunchtime club for children in Y1 and Y2 throughout the year.​