"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things."
Flora Lewis, Journalist of International Affairs
In our school the teaching of a foreign language encourages pupils' confidence and creative skills. We help them develop an awareness of cultural differences through the study of language and other countries. Skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are necessary to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning.
The teaching of French at Wanborough provides excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning through life. Our French curriculum is designed to progressively develop children’s skills acquisition, and their ability to use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. Children are encouraged and supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversational work, as well as through singing activities and games. As confidence and skill grows, children record their work through pictures, captions and sentences. French is taught weekly in all Key Stage 2 classes, and in discrete planned sessions across EYFS and Key Stage 1.
Further language development and country appreciation is embraced through events such as our annual celebration of European Day of Languages; our World Beat competition; and our links through the Erasmus projects we undertake. These events provide an opportunity for children and the wider school community to further deepen their knowledge and understanding of the culture, traditions, geography, history of a chosen country or region. We have developed strong links with a French partner school, Ecole Du Lac in St Cyr, Poitiers and pupils in Year 6 take part in a week residential to the region where they form friendships and deepen their understanding of the language and culture.
