French

Purpose of Study

At Southridge, French is our chosen Modern Foreign Language. The main aims and objectives of learning a modern foreign language in our first school are to foster an interest in learning languages and to introduce young children to another language in an enjoyable and fun way. Learning a language helps children to develop their speaking and listening skills and it helps to lay the foundations for future study of languages. We aim to help children develop their awareness of cultural differences, exploring their own cultural identity and those of others and through languages, enable children to feel a sense of enjoyment, pride and achievement.

There is a statutory obligation to teach languages from Key Stage 2 onwards (Year 3 and above). Children at Southridge benefit from a weekly French session which includes playing games and singing songs as well as opportunities to read, write and speak in French. Our curriculum is enhanced by the 'Theatres Sans Frontieres' team who deliver an interactive French play for the children each year.

We believe that building a good foundation for languages is essential so our youngest learners also enjoy opportunities to learn French through singing and games, starting in Nursery and continuing through Key Stage 1.

The National Curriculum states that learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries.