At Carleton St Hilda’s, we want French to be exciting, enjoyable and meaningful for every child. We aim to inspire a love of languages and encourage children to develop the confidence to communicate in French in a range of everyday situations. Through engaging lessons, songs, games, conversations and practical activities, we support children in developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in a fun and memorable way.
Our French curriculum is designed to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of the French language and the cultures of French-speaking countries. Children learn to understand and use familiar words and phrases, develop their pronunciation and build an increasingly broad vocabulary. They explore topics that are relevant to their lives, such as family, school, hobbies, food, numbers, places and the world around them. We want pupils to recognise the value of learning another language and appreciate the diversity of different cultures and communities.
As children move through the school, they build progressively on their previous knowledge and develop greater confidence and independence in using French. They learn to listen attentively and understand spoken language, engage in simple conversations, ask and answer questions, express ideas and opinions, and develop their ability to read and write in French. Children are encouraged to recognise patterns in language and develop their understanding of grammar, including how words and sentences are structured.
We want children to understand that learning a language is not simply about remembering vocabulary, but about communicating with others and gaining a wider understanding of the world. Through learning about French-speaking cultures and traditions, pupils develop respect, curiosity and an appreciation of similarities and differences between communities.
By the time children leave Carleton St Hilda’s, we aim for them to have developed a secure foundation in French, with the confidence and enthusiasm to communicate in another language. Our goal is for every child to leave with an enjoyment of language learning, an appreciation of other cultures and the skills to continue developing their linguistic knowledge in the future.