French

At Barnes Primary we believe that it is of great importance for all people to master at least one other modern foreign language (MFL). The study of MFL enables children to develop the skills and confidence to consider themselves as ‘World Citizens’ who belong in a multicultural, mutually respectful world. Our view is that learning a language should start early and that it should be fun. The priority is that pupils are keen to participate and make progress in being able to converse using useful sentences to communicate in other languages. We aim to support pupils to understand other countries and cultures so that they can be more open and adaptable to new experiences. Ultimately, we wish for our pupils to have a love of languages and to become curious and respectful of the world around them.

An overview of our French curriculum is available by clicking here. Feedback about French lessons from the pupils – obtained through semi-structured small group interviews during our cyclical internal reviews – is extremely positive. To improve pupils’ French, we also host a couple of French student teachers for a four-week period in the Spring Term. In addition, French is one of the many community languages that is heard in our annual House Reading in a Language Other than English Competition which is held in the Spring Term. There are also after-school French clubs led by Zoubida Bahlouli. 

In the Early Years (EYFS) and Key Stage 1, pupils are exposed to the French language throughout the daily routine. Instructions will often be given in French, there are simple books to enjoy and share in the reading corners, and in Key Stage 1 a weekly French assembly will teach them to enjoy and participate in familiar tales and songs in a language other than English. 

In Key Stage 2, pupils will participate in a weekly lesson of 30 minutes, delivered by our specialist language teacher, Zoubida Bahlouli. The lessons will involve a variety of innovative approaches to teaching and learning, including speaking and listening activities, lots of opportunities to role play simple scenes and to consolidate new learning through a variety of authentic material to ensure all pupils are fully engaged. French phonics is being taught systematically and explicitly to aid reading and writing in a new language. As the pupils progress through the Key Stage they will undertake more written work, following the Barnes Primary model of writing. KS2’s weekly assembly is a great way to fire up children’s passion for language and their curiosity about the French language and culture.

We teach French in themes. A copy of our curriculum map can be found here.

We will use a range of online resources including:

Linguascope
Rigolo on the London Grid for Learning platform
“Storyplay – Raconte-moi une histoire”

We have developed knowledge maps with key vocabulary for each theme to help the learning process. These can be found in year group knowledge maps.

Further support and useful weblinks:

• Linguascope paid learning platform https://www.linguascope.com/ username & password have been already given to the parents
• As part of Foreign Language, learn and practise phonics, games, and stories from the BBC
• Read and listen to different stories with Storyplay https://www.storyplayr.com/en/bibliotheque
• The world’s #1 way to learn a language with Duolingo https://www.duolingo.com/skill/fr/Basics-1/1

French reading is a great way for children, to improve their French, because they help work on all the different aspects of the language: let’s listen to Mme Bahlouli reading: ‘Le magicien’ and ‘va t’en Grand Monster Vert!

French Colours

Watch this animation to help you learn all the colours in French.

French – ten and back again

Can you count from one to ten in French? This animation will help you perfect your counting skills!

We make books in French, for example:

• Le corps
• Les animaux de la ferme
• Les couleurs

We have a range of French songs that we sing with the children.

• 1, 2, 3
• Je sais compter (1 à 10)
• 11 à 20
• La semaine
• Comment t’appelles-tu? (x2)
• La météo

Zoubida (Bida) Bahlouli runs a weekly French club for Lower Key Stage 2 on a Wednesday after school. Bida encourages Year 3 children to learn French in a fun, exciting way from their first year in KS2. Classes are interactive, engaging, and suitable for everybody. All of the sessions are conducted almost entirely in French. Her aim is to teach kids to speak French with confidence by using fun games, songs, and activities.