Modern Foreign Language

The 2014 Primary National Curriculum made learning a Modern Foreign Language compulsory at Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6). Here at Our Lady’s Bishop Eton pupils receive weekly Modern Foreign Language lessons in French.

We believe that language learning is not only a matter of developing competence in another language, important though this is, but develops an appreciation of how languages are related.
Learning a language equips children to express themselves in new ways and provides them with the opportunity to explore the relationship between language and identity, develop an international outlook, an enhanced understanding of the world and their place within it. This develops their immediate sense of belonging to the wider world and starts to prepare them for future opportunities in modern life.
Learning another language is also full of rich opportunities to develop pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural experiences. Learning another language also develops an understanding and respect for diversity: removing barriers between cultures, highlighting similarities and differences. Pupils may try out aspects of another culture in their classroom, such as food, clothes or celebrations, building a positive understanding of key features of personal and national identity, values and beliefs.

Learning another language is also an opportunity to look at shared values and aspirations, such as personal liberty, democracy and the rule of law. It can help us understand that the particular blend of values we cherish is not universal, but is the result of on-going social and historical collective choices.
By the end of Y6 our ambition is that children should have the skills to communicate verbally with other speakers. They should be able to read and understand words and phrases, and write increasingly complicated sentences, which show understanding of their developing grammatical knowledge. Pupils should be able to decipher aurally what they are being told or asked, and respond to appropriately, thus increasing their confidence, fluency and understanding of the application of language.

We use the School Improvement Liverpool scheme of work which ensures that pupils revisit previously taught vocabulary whilst introducing new words and phrases which develop their knowledge and understanding of French.

In addition, through a weekly Spanish club, children have the opportunity to learn another language if they choose to attend.