French at Yattendon School 

Intent 

At Yattendon School, we believe that learning a language broadens children's understanding of the world and helps them become confident, curious and respectful global citizens. Through our French curriculum, delivered through the Language Angels scheme, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of languages while developing pupils' communication skills, cultural awareness and confidence. 

Our French curriculum reflects Yattendon's Shared Vision by providing rich learning experiences that encourage children to explore different cultures, traditions and ways of life. Learning a language helps children develop resilience, curiosity and confidence as they learn to communicate in new ways and embrace challenge. Through progressively planned lessons, pupils build their knowledge and skills over time, enabling them to achieve their full potential as language learners.

Language learning contributes strongly to Yattendon's commitment to developing strong basic skills. Pupils develop their speaking, listening, reading and writing abilities while enhancing their understanding of grammar, vocabulary and language patterns. These skills support wider learning across the curriculum and strengthen children's communication and literacy skills. 

Our French curriculum promotes Yattendon's core values of Appreciation, Kindness, Courage, Honesty, Responsibility and Co-operation. Children develop an appreciation of different cultures and traditions, learn to communicate respectfully with others and show courage when speaking a new language. Through collaborative activities, they develop confidence, teamwork and respect for diversity, preparing them for life in modern Britain and an increasingly interconnected world.

The curriculum also develops Yattendon's Learning Powers. Pupils learn to concentrate when listening to unfamiliar language, think together through collaborative speaking activities, solve problems when decoding language patterns and reflect on their progress as linguists. These skills help children become adaptable, independent and lifelong learners.

Curriculum Aims 

At Yattendon School, we aim to: 

• Foster a love of language learning and curiosity about the wider world. 

• Develop confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing French. 

• Build a secure foundation of vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. 

• Enable pupils to communicate for practical purposes using familiar language. 

• Develop an appreciation of French-speaking countries, cultures and traditions. 

• Increase children's confidence, resilience and willingness to take risks in learning. 

• Encourage pupils to recognise similarities and differences between languages. 

• Prepare pupils for further language learning at secondary school. 

 

Implementation 

At Yattendon School, French is taught through the Language Angels scheme from Year 3 to Year 6. The scheme provides a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum that develops pupils' language knowledge and communication skills systematically across Key Stage 2. 

Learning is organised through engaging units that revisit and build upon previously taught knowledge and vocabulary. Children develop skills in: 

• Speaking 

• Listening 

• Reading 

• Writing 

• Grammar 

• Pronunciation 

• Intercultural understanding 

New learning is introduced in manageable steps and regularly revisited to support long-term retention. As pupils progress through the school, they move from learning and responding to simple vocabulary and phrases towards creating their own spoken and written sentences with increasing accuracy and confidence. 

Lessons typically include: 

Revisit → Learn → Practise → Apply → Reflect 

Children are provided with frequent opportunities to communicate in French through songs, games, role play, conversations and collaborative tasks. Teachers model accurate pronunciation and encourage pupils to practise spoken language regularly, helping them develop confidence and fluency. 

In line with Yattendon's commitment to rich learning experiences, children learn about French culture, traditions, celebrations and everyday life. These opportunities help pupils appreciate cultural diversity and develop respect for different communities and ways of living.

Throughout lessons, teachers explicitly develop Yattendon's Learning Powers by encouraging pupils to: 

• Persevere when communicating in unfamiliar language. 

• Concentrate when listening to spoken French. 

• Think together through paired and group speaking activities. 

• Reflect on their progress and identify next steps in learning. 

The curriculum is fully inclusive and designed to ensure all pupils can participate successfully, regardless of their starting point. 

 

Impact 

Through our French curriculum, pupils develop the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to communicate in another language and appreciate the wider world around them. 

Children leave Yattendon School able to: 

• Understand and respond to spoken and written French. 

• Communicate using familiar vocabulary, phrases and sentence structures. 

• Read and write simple texts with increasing accuracy and independence. 

• Demonstrate a growing understanding of French grammar and pronunciation. 

• Show curiosity and appreciation for different cultures and traditions. 

• Approach language learning with confidence and resilience. 

• Apply strategies to help them learn new vocabulary and language patterns. 

• Demonstrate respect, cooperation and confidence when communicating with others. 

• Be well prepared for the study of languages at secondary school. 

The impact of our French curriculum is seen in pupils' enthusiasm for language learning, their confidence to communicate and their growing understanding of the wider world. Children leave Yattendon as open-minded, reflective and resilient learners who appreciate cultural diversity and understand the value of communication in an interconnected world. 

By the end of Year 6, pupils embody Yattendon's values and Learning Powers through their willingness to embrace challenge, collaborate with others and engage positively with different cultures. They leave school equipped not only with language skills, but also with the curiosity, confidence and global awareness needed to thrive in the future.