French
Intent
At Downs Junior School, French is engaging and interactive. The lessons build in prior knowledge and the children have ample time to practise their language skills. In lessons you will see children learning through songs, games, and role play.
Children at Downs Junior School are taught French for half an hour each week in Year 3 and Year 4, and forty-five minutes in Year 5 and Year 6. They are taught by a language specialist.
At Downs Junior School, our emphasis is on enthusing a curiosity and enjoyment of learning a new language and culture to the children. It is intended that when children leave us, they will have a natural curiosity and the confidence to explore other countries, cultures and languages, accepting that in a multi-lingual society it is a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively with others in another language.
There is an emphasis on speaking and listening in the target language and a build up to reading and writing skills in Upper Key Stage 2.
Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. We follow the Light Bulb Languages online scheme to ensure coverage and progression across the school and draw upon native and/or fluent speakers to model the language, where possible. We also use the website À Tantôt to consolidate language through games and interactive activities.
Progression of Skill and Coverage
