French at Gardners Lane
As the UK is becoming an increasingly multicultural society, we have a duty to provide our children with an understanding of other cultures and languages. Following the 2014 new curriculum, all KS2 children are to learn a language other than English. At GLPS we believe strongly in the benefit of this and have therefore implemented the teaching of French for all children from Year 3 to Year 6. Foundation Stage and Year 1and 2 children will be prepared for the learning of a foreign language by the immersion in other cultures through games, songs and activities. We encourage a whole school approach which begins when children enter the school.
Learning a language enriches the curriculum, providing excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning throughout life. The natural links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enhance the overall teaching and learning experience. The skills, knowledge and understanding gained make a major contribution to the development of children's oracy and literacy and to their understanding of their own culture/s and those of others. Language also lies at the heart of ideas about individual identity and community, and learning another language can do a great deal to shape children's ideas in this critical area as well as giving them a new perspective on their own language.
Language learning stimulates children's creativity. Children enjoy taking an active part in language lessons. They join in with singing, reciting rhymes and poems, and respond to stories. They create mimes, sketches and role-play, imitating accurate intonation and pronunciation. They play games, take turns, make things, take the role of the teacher and experiment creatively with language.
Language learning supports oracy and literacy. Children spend much of their time in language lessons speaking, listening and interacting. They take part in role-plays, conversations and question and answer work. They sing songs and recite and perform to an audience and respond to a wide range of aural stimuli. This emphasis on communication, including language learning, is an important role in the 'education of the ear', which underpins children's capabilities in oracy, which is critical to effective communication, as well as a key foundation for literacy.
Language learning leads to gains across the curriculum. Children approach a broad range of learning activities in a new and challenging context; these relate to mother tongue literacy, to mathematics and other subject areas such as geography, music and citizenship. This can lead to deep learning and significant gains in their general understanding as they recycle and reinterpret existing knowledge. Through the conscious development of language learning they are also learning how to learn.
To view what your child is studying please access the class page.