Languages

Learning a Modern Foreign Language (MFL) not only prepares children linguistically but also cultivates an open-mindedness towards and interest different cultures. Although the government’s statutory Modern Foreign Language (MFL) requirement at primary level is uniquely targeted at KS2, children at Hugh Myddelton and Winton Primary Schools are fortunate enough to be taught French right from EYFS to the end of Year 6.

French Curriculum Overview

Progression of skills in French

We seek to integrate this widely spoken MFL from a young age when children are more receptive and are naturally curious. Every year group receives French weekly and the duration of lessons is dependent on the children's age and attention space.

Our language lessons seek to engage children and are set in an authentic context. Language, using purposeful resources and activities: from songs and picture books to games and role plays. New vocabulary is always accompanied by visual representations and frequently tie in with our 'Talk for Writing' approach, used in story-telling in English lessons, whereby vocabulary is linked to a given action to aid recall.

The French curriculum at our schools cover the four skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. However, we prioritise oracy so that children have the confidence to communicate and be immersed in French from a young age.

Once a half term every year group holds a French Café, where parents are invited to come and have a French breakfast with their child and their classmates where pupils serve their guests and practise their French!

We are very excited that this year we have formed a partnership with a school in Paris, and our pupils have been writing letters to each other and participating in online meetings to further develop their language skills as well as learning about what it is like to be a child in another country.

Our French lessons are also supported by various school clubs including French Art Club, Midi French Lunch and The French Library Project Club.

Mandarin

In addition to French, our pupils will also receive weekly Mandarin lessons.Children from Year 1 to Year 6 are very lucky to be taught Mandarin every week by Ms Ying from the Confucius Institute. During their weekly lessons, they learn greetings, colours, numbers and the names of common food. Every child is also learning how to write Chinese characters. In addition to weekly lessons, Ms Ying also runs a choir after school. This choir recently submitted a song sung fully in Chinese to the "Sing and Learn" cultural programme competition- which they won!

Our French teacher, Ms Petitpas, has created some videos to help your child in French. You can view these here

Mandarin curriculum

Learning French, and how to help your child at home