Intent

At Milton Mount we are linguists! Our mission is to cultivate a deep appreciation of language learning and the Francophone culture among Key Stage 2 students. By facilitating an environment where linguistic exploration is both exciting and rewarding, students develop a robust foundation in French, with a focus on practical language skills. Our goal at Milton Mount is to develop critical-thinking, confident individuals with a genuine love for learning. Our curriculum beings in Year 3, where students start their Modern Foreign Language classes by learning French phonics and culminates in Year 6, where they master gender and adjective agreement and conversation skills.

DO MORE

The curriculum is structured and sequenced so that all children develop a linguistic and cultural appreciation through engaging and culturally relevant lessons. We aim to spark curiosity, enabling students to view language acquisition not merely as a skill but as a gateway to understanding diverse perspectives and fostering cultural empathy. We believe that a key element of language acquisition is the confidence to take risks, supported by the freedom to make mistakes. Our approach involves creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where students feel empowered to take linguistic risks without fear of judgement. By embracing errors as a stepping stone to proficiency, we nurture resilience and build the self-assurance necessary for effective learning across all subjects.

Children engage with French by creating dialogues and performing skits for the class, through music and conversating between peers, among other activities, thereby enhancing their learning experience. Recognising the importance of building a solid foundation, our pedagogical approach systematically builds on prior knowledge. We emphasise the interconnectedness of languages by drawing parallels between French, English and any additional languages students speak. Lessons are meticulously designed to scaffold new concepts into existing linguistic frameworks, ensuring a seamless progression and promoting a sense of accomplishment as students witness their abilities evolve.

KNOW MORE

Through our MFL curriculum students gain a broad range of knowledge about the world by exploring various cultures and the history and roots of language. Students develop reading, writing and speaking skills that set the foundation for authentic conversations outside the classroom, promoting articulation and better preparing children to navigate and contribute to an increasingly interconnected world. This comprehensive understanding enables students to apply their skills in diverse contexts, such as understanding historical events through a cultural lens, appreciating global diversity during international activities within their communities.

REMEMBER MORE

Songs, gestures, cognates, stories, games, skits and hands-on learning activities are used to help students recall vocabulary and phonics. Students are asked questions both orally and visually, and use their skills from previous lessons (week), units (terms), and years to break these questions down into statements they can understand and translate.

EXPERIENCE MORE

A combination of hands-on activities, such as skits, art, music, and games helps students develop the confidence to speak, read, and write, enhancing their learning through real-life experiences that extend beyond the boundaries of monolingualism. In Modern Foreign Language classes, students have the opportunity to share personal experiences they’ve had with other languages, whether at home, on holiday or elsewhere and make connections between different cultures explored within the classroom and on a global scale.

CONSIDER MORE

Our intent is to go beyond the teaching of French as a subject; we aim to inspire a lifelong love for language and culture, cultivate the skills students need for success in secondary school and promote practical communication skills crucial for real-world interactions.

Implementation

In the pursuit of facilitating authentic language learning environments, we have implemented a comprehensive Neurolinguistic approach designed to enrich students' linguistic ability and enhance cognitive processes. This methodology embraces a holistic approach to language acquisition, incorporating recall techniques and problem-solving strategies that extend beyond linguistic domains into broader academic pursuits. We prioritise interactive role-play scenarios that simulate practical encounters, ensuring students not only grasp the foundations of the language but also develop the confidence to use it. Instruction is differentiated by establishing strong pedagogical relationships, learning experiences are personalised to address individual strengths, challenges, and interests, promoting an inclusive and supportive environment. To ensure a cohesive and progressive learning journey, our pedagogical scaffolding extends across year groups. Lessons are strategically crafted to continuously build and reinforce knowledge at varying degrees of complexity over the 4 years of Key Stage 2. This iterative approach ensures a gradual progression, reinforcing and building upon prior learning to deepen understanding. This holistic technique guarantees that each student, regardless of their starting point, feels supported and empowered to shine in their language learning journey. 

LESSON STRUCTURE

1. Sticky starters are utilised to recap and draw on previous knowledge. These activities can include translations, oral and written questions, vocabulary recall, and gestures, all aimed at reinforcing memory. To aid in vocabulary recall, children are encouraged to practice by discussing with their learning partners before sharing with the entire class. This approach allows the teacher to identify and correct any misconceptions, ensuring that students retain knowledge from past lessons, terms, and years. Additionally, music and songs are incorporated as sticky starters to further enhance knowledge recall and engagement.
2. Vocabulary, linguistic structures, grammar, phonics, listening, reading, writing, and speaking are presented in a research-based progression. This sequential approach aligns with natural developmental stages, culminating in authentic and comprehensive understanding. 
3. Lessons involve whole-class activities, small groups, pairs, and individual tasks. This allows students to collaborate, share ideas, and individualise their learning journey, nurturing a sense of autonomy and responsibility. 
4. Lessons go beyond rote memorisation by actively engaging students in a dynamic exploration of French. Students play with the language through immersive experiences such as role-playing, games, songs, sentence-building exercises, workshops, dictionary research, and carousel learning, fostering a deep and genuine connection with the material. 
5. Formative assessments are seamlessly integrated into lessons. This real-time feedback loop allows for tailored instructional plans that meet the unique needs of each student. 
6. Students share their work, whether it be an individual story, a song created as a group, or a role-play developed in pairs. They showcase their efforts to the class or the teacher to demonstrate their learning and take pride in their accomplishments. This practice not only allows students to display their creativity and understanding but also fosters a sense of achievement and confidence in their work.

Through the implementation of the Neurolinguistic approach, we aim to cultivate a solid foundation in French, critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for lifelong learning. By intertwining language acquisition with cognitive development, our students are poised to thrive not only in linguistic pursuits but across a spectrum of academic disciplines.

Impact

At Milton Mount, our commitment to celebrating varied learning experiences and languages permeates our vibrant school community. This dedication is closely linked to fostering language acquisition, cultural appreciation, and essential language learning skills. Our approach transcends traditional language education by also nurturing critical life skills, ensuring that students are academically prepared. We equip our students with the tools to confidently embrace linguistic diversity, preparing them for secondary school and the complexities of our interconnected world.

KS2

• Students gain a deep appreciation for language acquisition and cultural diversity.
• They develop strong conversational skills.
• Students enhance their reading and writing abilities.
• They learn to make connections between languages.
• They develop grammatical structures and sentence structures, including gender and adjective agreement.
• They expand their vocabulary and phonics knowledge.
• Students achieve accurate French pronunciation.
• They cultivate teamwork skills.
• They develop problem-solving skills.
• Students build confidence in expressing ideas, reflecting, and conducting research.
• They leave with a love for languages and cultures.
• They possess a curiosity that extends beyond the classroom.
• They have a strong foundation for their journey into secondary school and beyond.