Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) (Junior School only)
Our vision
At Henleaze Junior School, we aim that all children will be able to respond to those speaking in basic German and French and develop confidence in reading and writing in those languages. The children will be able to apply the language in a meaningful way whilst having an awareness and appreciation of German and French culture. The skills and knowledge that children develop from learning these languages will equip the children to become global citizens and offer a multicultural educational experience.
Our Curriculum
At Henleaze Junior School we have designed our own MFL curriculum. The subject leader has ensured that the MFL curriculum is cumulative, coherent and connected and has carefully mapped what the students will know and be able to do in both German and French. This ensures that learning builds cumulatively and helps students to make connections between concepts that they have learned. Prior learning has been identified and mapped to the curriculum so that teachers can build new knowledge. All children participate in one MFL lesson per week.
The focus of study in our MFL curriculum is on practical communication.
Pupils will be taught the following skills in both German (Years 3-4) and French (Years 5-6):
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listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
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explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
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engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help*
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speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
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develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases*
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present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences*
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read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
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appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
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broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
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write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly
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describe people, places, things and actions orally*
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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.
Impact
Each year group has clear cumulative end goals – these are identified for teachers. Formative assessment is embedded, including: questioning, observation, discussion and peer interaction, lesson pauses and use of success criteria, enabling pupils to consolidate learning and teachers to gauge understanding.
Subject overview
| Year R | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | |
| Terms 1 and 2 | Introduction to German Phonics Greetings Questions Introducing ourselves Numbers Days of the week Months Colours |
Reading a German story: Bin ich klein? Describing sizes Asking and answering questions Reading a story Writing our own story All about me Describing how I look (Height, hair & eyes) Describing my character Describing others Written task |
Introduction to French Phonics Greetings Introducing ourselves Numbers Months Key French festivals Colours Reading a French story: 'Toutes les couleurs'. Festive activities |
In town Places in town Town descriptions Writing about where we live Directions Directions oral task What time is it? Counting to 55 in 5s Telling the time The 24hr clock Free time activities during the week Written task |
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| Terms 3 and 4 | German culture Where is Germany? Key German cities Famous German stories Karneval/Fasching Animals Describing pets Berlin Zoo Animals at the zoo What zoo animals can do |
Body parts Learning body parts Plural body parts Describing monsters Doctor’s surgery phrases Oral task – At the Doctor's Clothing Clothing items Describing outfits Saying what I wear on the weekend and to school Giving opinions on different uniforms |
French speaking countries Where is French spoken? French country flags Cultural project: researching French speaking countries. Presenting information to the class What’s the weather like? Weather types French speaking cities/countries Describing the climate in other countries Oral task – saying where we would like to visit |
The Hungry Caterpillar Food types Verb paradigms The past tense Reading a story in French Oral task – writing a version of the story The Hungry Caterpillar X Stop Motion project Performing a version of the story Creating a stop motion video of the story |
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| Terms 5 and 6 | Reading a German story: Der Hase mit der roten Nase. (Colours and animals) Writing our own version |
Café culture Numbers to 100 Currency Ordering drinks and ice creams. Role-play – oral task Urlaub! X ICT project Free time activities What I do in different weathers What I wear What I eat PPT presentations |
Free time Days of the week Free time activities Using regular verbs Likes and dislikes What we do in different weathers At the market The French market Fruit & veg Numbers to 100 Currency Ordering foods Oral task – creating a French market |
Music Music genres & Instruments Expressing opinions Listening to French music Writing about our music preferences School School subjects Likes and dislikes School dinners Getting to school School in other countries |