The high quality Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at The Parks Academy develops knowledge beyond the everyday experience of the children and inspires pupils to want to know more about the world in which they live. It provides them with the skills needed to be able to engage with the wider world, equipping them for life beyond the classroom and in their onward journey of language to KS3. Our chosen language is French, which is taught through the comprehensive and progressive ‘Language Angels’ scheme in Key Stage 2. The focus of study in modern languages will be on practical communication. The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others, and cultural differences.

The four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading, and writing are taught and all necessary phonics, grammar and vocabulary is covered in a logical and progressive way across the primary phase. This enables our pupils to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning and helping them to improve overall attainment in other subject areas.

Pupils will be taught to:
• listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
• explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
• engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help
• speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases, and basic language structures
• develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases
• present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences
• read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases, and simple writing
• broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
• write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly
• describe people, places, things, and actions orally and in writing
• understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including (where relevant): feminine, masculine, and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English.

If you want to see more pictures and videos of French at The Parks, please search #TPAFrench on Twitter and look at the tweets on there.