French
Our MFL curriculum instils a love of languages, builds a strong foundation in French and deepens understanding of life and culture in Francophone countries.
Intent
At Bloxwich Academy Primary, the intention of the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum is to instil a love of languages and provide pupils with a solid foundation of the French language. Pupils are encouraged to show enthusiasm for their learning; they will have the opportunity to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills through active and engaging activities. These activities aim to link their language learning to familiar contexts, as well as allowing them to explore the grammatical features of the French language.
Cultural capital is also an important agenda at Bloxwich Academy to develop pupils’ knowledge of the world and be curious about other language and cultures; we aim for them to be creative and open-minded about how people from Francophone countries live and celebrate traditions. It is the ambition of the subject leader to develop an immersive language experience and provide pupils with the opportunity to celebrate Bastille Day and to experience languages in different contexts.
Bastille Day
Each year, we celebrate Bastille Day across the school to help pupils understand why this important national event is celebrated in France and what it represents in French history and culture.
This also provides Key Stage 1 children an insight into their future learning of French as they progress into Key Stage 2, learning some of the key landmarks.
Through this annual celebration, children take part in a range of engaging activities linked to a chosen theme, such as exploring famous artists from France and life in other Francophone countries around the world.
To bring the experience to life, pupils enjoy a themed lunch and the chance to taste fresh croissants!
Year 6 trip to Lille (June 2025)
In June 2025, some lucky Year 6 pupils took part in an exciting residential trip to Lille, giving them a valuable opportunity to experience French culture first-hand.
During the visit, the children explored the city and enjoyed a range of memorable experiences, including a visit to the Museum of Illusions, a tour of a traditional waffle factory, and a trip to the famous beaches of Dunkirk. Pupils learned about the historical significance of the Dunkirk beaches before spending time enjoying the seaside itself.
For many children, this was their first experience of travelling abroad, including crossing the Channel by ferry, making the trip both educational and highly memorable. The visit supported language learning, cultural understanding and independence, creating lasting memories for everyone involved.
Progression Skills
The Primary National Curriculum intends for pupils to learn French through the four language skills
Speaking & Listening
Pupils are encouraged to listen carefully to spoken French and to respond with growing confidence.
They participate in activities that allow them to listen to authentic French speakers.
They practise pronunciation, and conversational phrases with their peers through songs, games, role-play and structured dialogue, helping them to speak clearly and understand others.
Reading
Children learn to read short words, phrases and simple texts in French. They develop strategies to recognise familiar vocabulary, sounds and sentence patterns, supporting their understanding and enjoyment of the language.
Some pupils in KS2 also have the opportunity to read some familiar stories (The Hungry Caterpillar, Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears) in French.
Writing
Pupils begin by writing single words and short phrases, gradually progressing to simple sentences using taught sentences structures.
They apply their knowledge of vocabulary, spelling patterns and basic grammar to communicate meaning accurately.
Websites to support your child’s learning at home.
We encourage you to support children’s French learning at home. The following websites provide fun, accessible and age-appropriate ways to build confidence and reinforce what they have learned in school.
Many of these sites include interactive games, videos, songs and simple activities that make language learning enjoyable. Children can practise pronunciation, learn new vocabulary, revisit key topics and develop their understanding of French culture at their own pace.
Regular short practice at home can make a real difference, and we recommend using these websites little and often to support progress and foster a positive attitude towards learning French.
Duolingo - Create an online account on any device and practise multiple languages in your own time!
Bitesize - Play games and participate in mini lessons to extend your French vocabulary.
National Academy - Online lessons that can be accessed at home.
French Games - Games linked to various topics
Language Nut – Please ask your teacher for log in details to access more games and fun on Language Nut.
Youtube is another fantastic resource to listen to French songs.
