Subject Leader: Mrs L Cross
As a dedicated advocate of language learning, I firmly believe in its power to foster cultural understanding and cultivate empathy in an increasingly diverse world. With a passion for exploring different cultures, I recognise the transformative nature of language education and its ability to create meaningful connections.
Having resided in Belguim for three years, I developed a strong command of the French language. I have also acquired a basic understanding of Italian and hold a qualification in German, which provides me with valuable insights into the interconnectedness of languages. I understand the importance of utilising cognates during the initial learning stages, as they can enhance comprehension and boost confidence, even for those who may initially feel hesitant about language learning.
I have established connections with several primary schools in Toulouse, France where we have forged a particularly strong partnership with one specific school, where Year 3 and 4 children engage in regular communication with their French peers. Through these exchanges, both sets of students develop an understanding that they are embarking on a journey of learning a new language, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences.
With a deep commitment to language education, I strive to inspire a love for learning languages in our Applegarth children. I recognise that language learning is not solely about acquiring new words and grammar rules, but about embracing the complexities and intricacies of different cultures. By fostering this understanding, I empower our pupils to develop global perspectives and appreciate the richness and diversity of our interconnected world.
| Languages – Intent Policies & Documents | Download |
| National Curriculum – Languages | Download |
| Progression in Languages (French) | Download |
| Languages Long-Term Plan* | Download |
At Applegarth Primary School, we aim to inspire all our KS2 children as linguists, encouraging a thirst for learning other languages and an enthusiasm to put their knowledge into practice as much as possible. Children are encouraged to speak with confidence in a safe and supportive environment, developing fluency and spontaneity, and learning new words and phrases that they then build on in future lessons to compose small sentences and phrases. Teaching is fun, informative and allows lots of opportunities for children to explore the accuracy of their pronunciation and grammar in spoken and written form, with the use of songs, stories and games, all aimed at consolidating what they already know before building new skills. Children explore the patterns, grammar and sounds of French, expressing their own opinions and using familiar vocabulary, building upon cognates (words that sound or look the same in a different language to English). The understanding of cultures that are different or similar to the one they know is interwoven into lessons as diversity is celebrated and valued. By the end of KS2, children have broadened their vocabulary to be able to write some phrases from memory and expressing their ideas clearly in written or oral form. Children learn French primarily but will be given the opportunity to learn new words in other languages as they study different parts of the world in different contexts.
*We are in the process of continuing our curriculum journey. Speak to our languages lead, Mrs L Cross for the most up-to-date version of the languages long-term plan.
Implementation
Every opportunity is taken at Applegarth Primary School to provide our children with happy, positive, confident-building opportunities for children to put their knowledge into practice, whether in independent, paired or group work. Children learn about traditions in different countries and opportunities are made to use new vocabulary in different ways, for example, writing their Christmas cards in French or learning to sequence ideas when listing fruit (in French!) in a ‘panier’! Children use Google Earth to discover different countries that speak different languages and are enthusiastic in their search to find out more, for example, when Year 3/4 children researched how many languages were on road signs in other European countries. An exciting opportunity has arisen to make a strong link with a primary school in Toulouse, France and children are excited to receive Christmas cards from the children there. In return, cards have been sent and we look forward to forging new ways of making learning languages at Applegarth even more relevant, real and exciting!
Impact
What our pupils say about learning French at Applegarth:
“French is taught by helpful, knowledgeable teachers who make the subject fun.” (Y5 pupil)
“I find French intriguing and love learning new words every week.” (Y4 pupil)
