Foreign Languages (FL) Policy
Newbridge Junior School
Foreign Language (FL) Policy
1 Aims and objectives
1.1
Learning a language enriches the curriculum, providing excitement,
enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping to create enthusiastic
learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning throughout life. The
natural links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enhance the
overall teaching and learning experience. The skills, knowledge and understanding
gained make a major contribution to the development of children's oracy and literacy
and to their understanding of their own culture/s and those of others. Language also
lies at the heart of ideas about individual identity and community, and learning
another language can do a great deal to shape children's ideas in this critical area as
well as giving them a new perspective on their own language.
1.2
The aims of Foreign Language (FL) Education in our school are to enable the
children to:
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foster an interest in learning another language (The language taught at
Newbridge is French).
become aware that language has a structure, and that this structure
differs from one language to another;
develop speaking and listening skills.
gain enjoyment, pride and a sense of achievement;
explore and apply strategies to improve their learning;
explore their own cultural identities and those of others.
develop increased confidence in their ability to communicate with others
2 Principles and entitlement
2.1 Every child is entitled to have access to an FL curriculum which offers
opportunities for the development of the following skills:
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learning French vocabulary
asking and answering questions
using basic French grammar and spelling patterns
playing games and learning songs
using language that has been taught in role play situations and participating in
basic conversations in French
researching and learning about life in France and other French speaking
countries.
beginning to write phrases and sentences
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Foreign Languages (FL) Policy
3 Teaching and learning
3.1 Teachers will ensure that:
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French is taught every week.
Children will be given opportunities to speak and listen (Oracy), read and write
(Literacy) and gain insight into other cultures and traditions (Intercultural
Understanding).
They are using the Tout le Monde scheme of work for French backed up by the
supporting materials.
Children are introduced to another language (French) in a way that is enjoyable
and fun.
where possible language learning is embedded into daily class routines (e.g
register greetings, classroom commands etc)
3.2 We believe that good classroom practice will involve a wide range of teaching
and learning strategies, which take different learning styles into consideration.
There will be evidence in the learning environment of:
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progress in the children’s learning, specifically related to languages skills (on
the walls in conversation, in their home learning) across the full range of
learning- oracy (Speaking and Listening), Literacy (Reading and Writing) and
Intercultural Understanding
FL resources used to support children’s understanding of key concepts
(flashcards with new vocabulary and phrases, bilingual dictionaries and
posters)
French being used as part of classroom routines (e.g class signs, name tags)
where possible, cultural artefacts and realia (maps, flags, money etc from
French-speaking countries) appropriate to the current topic being learnt.
the safe use of resources
4 Planning
4.1 Foreign Language Education is the planned provision of all opportunities that
contribute to pupils’ development of communication skills in a foreign language as
well as their intercultural understanding. This will include targeted FL lessons, as well
as specific opportunities in other subjects across the curriculum for FL skills to be
embedded.
4.2 The planning of FL will be monitored by the FL leader. The planning will follow
National Curriculum requirements (a long term plan has been produced by the FL
leader). All class planning should relate to the school’s long term planning and be
based on the objectives as detailed in the Tout Le Monde French scheme of work.
This will ensure continuity and progression throughout the key stage.
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Foreign Languages (FL) Policy
5 Leadership and management
5.1 It will be the responsibility of the FL leader to have an overview of the French
taught throughout the school and to report back to the Head Teacher on a regular
basis in order to improve teaching and learning. Year leaders will be responsible for
feeding back to the FL leader on a regular basis.
5.2 The FL leader will be responsible for observing the quality of teaching and
learning on a regular basis during French lessons. Monitoring of the children’s work
will also play an important role in the monitoring process. This will be done through
book scrutinies as well as pupil interviews.
6 Assessment and recording
6.1 Teachers assess children’s work in FL in three phases. The short-term
assessments that teachers make as part of every lesson help them to adjust their
daily plans. They match these short-term assessments closely to the teaching
objectives. Written or verbal feedback is given to help guide children’s progress.
Children are encouraged to make judgements about how they can improve their own
work.
6.2 Teachers use medium-term assessments to measure progress against the key
objectives, and to help them plan for the next unit of work.
6.3 The subject leader will take an active role in disseminating best practice and
making recommendations for staff development.
8 Resources
8.1 A copy of the Teachers guide for the appropriate level of the Tout le Monde
scheme of work should be held by each year leader. Each class teacher has access
to the online Tout le Monde resources. Additional resources and reference materials
will be held by the FL leader.
Date of Policy: January 2015
Gina Reynolds.
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