Foreign Languages
Christian Value: RESPECT
Our KS2 Children visit Le Touquet each year click here to find out more: Le Touquet
Intent
At Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School, our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum is guided by our Christian vision that “All things are possible for one who believes”. Rooted in our ACHIEVE curriculum drivers, it is shaped by the Christian values of Respect. This values underpin all learning and relationships, helping children to grow as compassionate, resilient and responsible individuals.
Our ACHIEVE curriculum drivers:
· Aspire
· Challenge
· Honour every individual
· Inspire curiosity and creativity
· Embed strong values
· Value community and global connections
· Empower through knowledge
Our MFL intent is to aspire for all children to become enthusiastic, inquisitive and confident linguists who enjoy learning another language. We challenge pupils to communicate with increasing accuracy and fluency, and to apply their vocabulary and grammar to express themselves both orally and in writing.
Our curriculum honours every individual, ensuring French is engaging, inclusive and accessible for pupils across mixed-age classes. Through authentic materials, songs, stories and cultural exploration, we inspire curiosity about the wider world and deepen children’s understanding of different cultures and communities.
We embed strong values - particularly respect, resilience and openness - by helping pupils appreciate linguistic diversity and encouraging them to be confident language learners who take risks without fear of making mistakes. Respect is at the heart of this subject as pupils learn about cultural similarities and differences with empathy.
We value community and global connections by teaching children about France and the wider Francophone world, helping them see themselves as part of a global community. Through systematic vocabulary teaching, modelling correct pronunciation, and building grammatical understanding, we empower pupils with the foundations they need for future learning in Key Stage Three and beyond.
Modern Foreign Languages at Kirby Hill is not just about learning words; it is about opening minds, building confidence, and nurturing globally aware young people.
Implementation
ur MFL curriculum is delivered by a specialist French teacher and follows a two-year cycle to align with mixed-age classes. This ensures all pupils encounter each topic at an age-appropriate level, with younger children introduced to new content and older pupils revisiting and deepening their understanding.
Because language learning depends on frequent exposure and repetition, key vocabulary and structures are regularly revisited. For pupils who have covered a topic before, teaching is extended to offer increased challenge and more sophisticated use of language.
Teaching follows the natural language acquisition pathway:
Listening → Speaking → Reading → Writing,
with the majority of lessons focused on listening and speaking to build firm foundations. Reading and writing tasks are more structured and increase in complexity as pupils move through KS2.
Lessons make extensive use of:
• pictures, songs and videos
• games and interactive activities
• the interactive whiteboard
• technology including Duolingo, which supports weekly home practice
Differentiation is embedded through varied levels of task difficulty, enabling pupils to choose an appropriate challenge or be directed to one by the teacher. Older pupils complete longer reading tasks and structured short writing activities, while extended writing is not expected at primary level.
Pupils complete listening, reading and writing assessments at the start of the spring and summer terms, based on the previous term’s learning. Vocabulary mats, classroom displays and ongoing recap activities support long-term recall.
A positive learning environment is supported through the use of ClassDojo, rewarding effort, participation and achievement. Clear communication between the French teacher and class teachers ensures behaviour, engagement and progress are followed up effectively.
Curriculum Organisation
2025–2026 (Cycle Year A):
Autumn 1
• Expectations & comments
• Numbers 1–70
• Greetings & personal information
Autumn 2
• Alphabet
• Christmas
Spring 1
• Days, months, birthdays
• Colours
Spring 2:
• Easter
Summer 1:
• Weather
• Hobbies
Summer 2
• Sport
2026–2027 (Cycle Year 1):
Autumn 1:
• Revision of basics
• Animals
Autumn 2:
• Family
• Classroom objects
Spring 1:
• Classroom instructions
• Numbers 70–100
Spring 2:
• Body
Summer 1:
• Clothes
• Food
Summer 2:
• Bastille Day & La Marseillaise
Topic order may vary in response to class progress, wider school events or opportunities for curriculum links.
Impact
The impact of the MFL curriculum is monitored through ongoing formative assessment, response during oral work, and termly listening, reading and writing assessments. These establish pupil progress, identify gaps and inform planning.
By the end of each key stage, pupils will have developed secure foundations in French vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. They will communicate simple ideas confidently, understand basic spoken French, and be prepared for Key Stage Three language learning.
Our children will:
• Develop enjoyment, enthusiasm and curiosity for learning languages
• Understand and use key vocabulary and simple grammatical structures
• Speak with growing confidence, accurate pronunciation and good recall
• Respond to spoken French and participate in simple conversations
• Read and understand familiar written French
• Produce short, structured written sentences
• Demonstrate understanding of French culture and wider Francophone communities
• Show respect, global awareness and open-mindedness
• Approach secondary language learning with confidence
Feedback from secondary schools consistently highlights the confidence and enthusiasm of Kirby Hill pupils—qualities our curriculum seeks to cultivate intentionally.
Ultimately, our MFL curriculum equips pupils not only with foundational language skills, but also with the confidence, motivation and cultural awareness they need to flourish as global citizens—guided by respect, curiosity and a belief in their own potential.
French Games