Modern Foreign Languages

Intent

At Wold Newton Foundation School, we want children to develop a genuine interest in learning another language and to enjoy discovering how languages work. Our MFL curriculum is designed to be engaging, enjoyable and accessible for all pupils, helping them grow into confident young linguists. We follow National Curriculum expectations to ensure children build strong foundations in pronunciation, intonation, grammar and vocabulary.

We aim to develop pupils’ skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, enabling them to use French in real and meaningful contexts. Alongside language learning, children also explore cultural differences and traditions, helping them develop curiosity, respect and an understanding of the wider world. Our goal is to give pupils the confidence to communicate in another language and to lay secure foundations for future language learning in Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Implementation

Children learn French through regular, well‑structured lessons that build their skills step by step. Pupils learn to understand and communicate ideas, facts and feelings using familiar vocabulary and simple grammatical structures. Over time, they develop a growing bank of words and phrases organised around meaningful topics.

Speaking and listening are central to our approach. Children take part in conversational activities, songs, games and role‑play to help them practise pronunciation and build confidence. Around school, pupils are encouraged to use everyday French. 

As pupils become more confident, they begin to record their learning through pictures, captions and sentences. A range of texts is used to help children recognise familiar and unfamiliar sounds, supporting their reading fluency. Our KS2 pupils receive regular language lessons that draw on a variety of high‑quality resources rather than a single scheme, ensuring teaching is flexible, challenging and closely aligned with National Curriculum standards.

Impact

Our progression documents ensure that children access learning at the right level for their age, with opportunities to deepen their understanding through more challenging objectives. Pupils are assessed against age‑related expectations in line with the school’s assessment calendar, allowing teachers to track progress and identify next steps.

By the end of KS2, pupils will know more, remember more and be able to do more in French. They will have developed confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing, and they will be able to use key vocabulary and structures with increasing accuracy. Assessment information is recorded and monitored by the MFL coordinator to ensure pupils are making strong progress and developing the enthusiasm and skills needed for future language learning.

How to Help at Home

Here are some suggestions for ways you can help your child:

1. 1. Take your child to a museum

France has produced some of the most talented artists, such as Monet and Renoir. Check your local museum’s schedule to see when it is featuring a French-inspired exhibition and bring your child along. The admission for children is typically free.

2. Celebrate French holidays

Celebrating important French holidays, such as Bastille Day, will teach your child about French history. Celebrate by making some fun crafts or taking part in holiday traditions. Similar to the Fourth of July, the French display fireworks.  

1. 3. Cook a French meal

Familiarize your child with French cuisine by having him or her help you whip up a traditional French meal. Your child can channel their inner Julia Child with traditional French dishes, such as quiche and crème brûlée.

4. Watch a French movie

Fire up Netflix and host a French movie night with your family. Here are some kid-friendly French movies you and your child can enjoy: “A Monster in Paris,” “The Red Balloon,” and “Tintin and the Lake of Sharks.”

5. Listen to French music

Do you have a Pandora or Spotify account? Download some French songs to listen to while at home or on the road. Listening to French music will help familiarize your child with French accents and pronunciations.

6. Puzzles

You can download and print dozens of free French crosswords and word searches for your child. He or she will have fun playing, while simultaneously learning French vocabulary and simple sentences. Keep a stack in the car for long road trips.

7. Memory game

Create some French flashcards and place them face down on a table. Your child will flip over two cards. If the pictures match, your child will flip over two more cards. The point of the game is to match all of the cards from memory.

8. Colouring books

Purchase a French colouring book for. These colouring books will spark your child’s creativity, while helping him or her learn various vocabulary words and themes.

9. Read French books

There are a ton of beginner French books. Le Petit Prince is one of the most well-known French children’s books. You can find the book in almost any book shop or online.

10. Hangman

This French activity is played exactly like the original Hangman version, except you are using French vocabulary words and phrases instead of English.

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