Modern Foreign Languages
“Learning
a language enriches the curriculum. It
provides excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping
to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning
throughout life. The natural links
between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enhance the overall
teaching and learning experience. The
skills, knowledge and understanding gained can make a major contribution to the
development of children’s oracy and literacy and to
their understanding of their own culture/s and those of others.” The key Stage 2 Framework for Languages (DfED 2005). Part two page 4.
At Sacred Heart School we
believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable
educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop communication skills
including key skills of speaking and listening and extends their knowledge of
how language works. Learning another
language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to
understand their own cultures and those of others.
All Key Stage 2 pupils are
entitled to learn another language in school time. In Sacred Heart School we recognise the value
of this initiative and provide appropriate Primary Languages learning
opportunities for all children throughout the school. The focus language
taught in our school is French.
Aims
and objectives:
The aims of Primary Language
teaching are to:
·
foster an interest in language learning by introducing children
to other languages in a way that is
enjoyable and accessible to all pupils;
·
stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language and
creativity in experimenting with it;
·
support oracy and literacy, and in
particular develop speaking and listening skills;
·
help children develop their awareness of cultural similarities
and differences;
·
lay the foundations for future language study by pupils;
·
provide an added perspective on first language teaching and
learning;
·
gives an extra dimension to teaching and learning across the
curriculum;
The children will learn to:
·
listen carefully and recognise sounds and combinations of sounds
which are similar to, or different from, those of English;
·
understand and respond with increasing competence, accuracy and
confidence in a range of situations;
·
join in songs, rhymes, raps and stories which enable them to
practise the sounds of the language in an enjoyable and non-threatening way;
·
Take part in conversations at an appropriate level, reacting to
instructions and questions and expressing opinions and feelings;
·
memorise and recite short texts, and prepare and give a talk on
a familiar subject confidently and with regard for the audience;
The children will learn to:
·
remember grapheme-phoneme correspondence and vocabulary directly
taught and reinforced through word games and similar activities;
·
read stories and rhymes for enjoyment and to gain awareness of
the structure of the written language;
·
read, copy and write independently familiar words and simple
phrases in context e.g. classroom items, display labels, weather chart, date;
·
write sentences and short texts independently and from memory;
The children will learn to:
·
describe the life of children in the countries where the
language is spoken;
·
identify similarities and differences in everyday life, social
conventions, traditional stories and celebrations;
·
recognise how symbols, products and objects can represent the
culture of a country, and how aspects of the culture of different countries
become incorporated in the daily life of others;
·
understand and respect cultural diversity;
At Sacred Heart School we
integrate language learning into everyday school life, with teachers, teaching
assistants and children using and experimenting with their knowledge of
different languages whenever the opportunity arises. We foster a problem-solving approach, giving
children opportunities to work out language use for themselves in a supported
context where risk-taking and creativity are encouraged, and there is an
emphasis on having fun with the new language.
ICT is used where appropriate to enhance teaching and learning.
Although Primary Languages cuts
across the curriculum, children are taught specific skills, concepts and
vocabulary in a weekly-dedicated lesson with Mrs. McGinley (HLTA). The class teacher reinforces the content of
these sessions during the week.
Where appropriate, teachers
give children opportunities to practise their foreign language in the context
of lessons in other subject areas. For
instance, some instructions may be given in French in a PE lesson; or children
may count in another language while carrying out a numeracy activity. This acts to reinforce the vocabulary and
structures they have learned.
Languages are a part of the
everyday life of the school. Teachers
use the French language to give simple classroom instructions e.g. listen,
look, to take the register and lead Assembly.
Children are encouraged to respond using the language they have learned.
This integrated approach is a
strong model for teaching and learning, giving children opportunities to use
and develop their language for communicating in stress-free real-life contexts.
Primary Languages provides a
basis for teaching and learning about other cultures, and this is incorporated
into many areas of the curriculum including personal and social education and citizenship,
geography, religious education design and technology, music, art and
dance. Efforts are made to ensure that
teaching material across the curriculum includes a ‘flavour’ of the country
where the focus language is spoken.
Primary Languages teaching at
Sacred Heart is fully inclusive. No
child is excluded by reason of a learning difficulty, or because they have
English as an additional language.
Experience has shown that such children can derive particular benefit
from taking part in Primary Languages learning activities in which they may be
less disadvantaged than in other areas of the curriculum.
Primary Languages is planned
following the broad guidelines set out in the Key Stage 2 Framework for
Languages (DfES 2005). The school’s Scheme of Work ensures that
there is continuity and progression in both skills and content across all
classes.
The Primary Languages section
in the school library has a vast amount of fiction texts, non-fiction text,
posters, CD’s DVD’s games and dual language books.
Teachers and other staff are
given regular opportunities and encouragement to develop their own language and
language teaching skills through in school and Local Authority training. Mrs. McGinley (HLTA) and Mrs. Walker (Head
Teacher) identify school needs and co-ordinate professional development
opportunities.