Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum Vision

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

At St Matthews we believe that communication is the cornerstone of all human interaction. We live in a fast-moving global community, where much of that communication happens in a language other than English. We believe that learning a foreign language is a necessary skill for members of a multi-cultural society, providing an opening for pupils to explore other cultures and future possibilities in their own lives.

Our high quality language provision aims to foster children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.  Children will acquire a basic level of vocabulary in French, and a foundation on which to build future language learning as they move onto secondary school.

Our curriculum enables children to demonstrate confidence in their ability to acquire new language skills and an appreciation of its value for their future, including career aspirations, leisure opportunities and living as global citizens. The children will understand how languages broaden their horizons and teaching will encourage them to be aspirational and ambitious with the knowledge that life is full of possibilities.

Pupils will develop key communication skills with an emphasis on speaking and listening, while extending their knowledge of how language works.  Our languages program support their progression in Literacy, by exploring key differences within languages, specifically between English and French. Children will be encouraged to be risk takers communicating in spoken and written French, continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation, intonation, and grammar. This will enable children to develop their resilience and confidence in their own abilities. Children will strengthen their own sense of identity through learning about Francophone culture around the world, and comparing it with their own experiences and community.