Modern Languages Vision Statement

At St Peter’s, we believe that learning another language opens pupils’ eyes to a wider world. Through the teaching of French, we want our pupils to become confident and curious communicators who value languages and develop an appreciation of cultures, communities and perspectives beyond their own. Our curriculum gives every pupil the opportunity to experience the enjoyment and challenge of learning another language, broadening their horizons and helping them recognise both the richness of difference and what we share with others. In doing so, we provide strong foundations for future language learning and empower our pupils to see themselves as part of an increasingly interconnected world.

Subject Intent

Our French curriculum is carefully sequenced across Key Stage 2 so that pupils build secure and connected knowledge of phonics, vocabulary and grammar, rather than encountering language as a series of isolated topics. From their first experiences of listening to and speaking French, pupils progressively develop their understanding of how the language works, with important knowledge deliberately revisited and extended in increasingly complex contexts. They learn to recognise and apply sound–spelling patterns, build a growing bank of useful vocabulary and develop their understanding of grammatical structures so that, over time, they can select, adapt and combine language with increasing accuracy and independence.

Alongside this linguistic knowledge, pupils are taught how to become effective language learners. They develop strategies for listening, reading and making sense of unfamiliar language, including recognising cognates, using context and prior knowledge, identifying grammatical patterns and using reference materials appropriately. Opportunities to speak, listen, read and write are woven throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to progress from rehearsing familiar language to communicating their own ideas with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity.

Through meaningful encounters with France and the wider French-speaking world, pupils also develop their cultural knowledge, curiosity and respect for ways of life beyond their own experience. By the end of Key Stage 2, our ambition is that pupils leave St Peter’s with secure foundations in French, confidence in themselves as language learners and the knowledge and strategies they need to continue their language-learning journey successfully at secondary school and beyond.