French at Swanton Abbott Primary School

At Swanton Abbott Primary School, we want all children to leave us at the end of KS2 with a solid foundation of linguistic skills which can be applied at KS3 and beyond as well as a love of language learning. 

Intent

We believe that learning a language opens the door to huge potential. It is a necessary part of being a member of the multicultural society in which we live. We believe that many children really enjoy learning to speak another language. Learning a foreign language helps pupils to extend their communication skills and enhances self‐esteem. When our children leave Swanton Abbott Primary School at the end of KS2 we aim to have instilled a love of language learning in all of our children and provided them with a good skill set to continue their language learning at KS3 and beyond.

Implementation
For French at Swanton Abbott Primary School, we use the 'Rigolo' scheme of work. This helps us to ensure that children are immersed in the target language and have opportunity to practice their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. We are committed to early language learning and believe that the earlier a child is exposed to a foreign language, the faster and more effectively the language in question is acquired. We believe that learning a foreign language helps all pupils develop their interests and curiosity in the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

From Year 3 through to Year 6 the 'Rigolo' scheme of work is used and we follow 'la famille Mils' who are an English family living in France! This resource is supplemented with games, stories and songs to support our French learning. In addition to this, children also have one lesson per term based on Intercultural Understanding where they learn about an aspect of French culture. Familiar stories are also read in French with the children.  Swanton Abbott Primary School’s programme of study is in line with the requirements of the Primary Languages Curriculum. Following the Rigolo programme, our children study up to six units in each year group; twenty-four in total over their four years. Each unit and each new year aims to build on the knowledge from the previous. The units include learning about countries, cultures, peoples and communities.

Impact

French is newly introduced to the school but is fast becoming a strong presence at Swanton Abbott Primary School, with our children using the target language not just in their lessons, but keen to do so outside of their lessons too at every opportunity. Children enjoy learning French at Swanton Abbott Primary School.

French games for you to play at home