Modern Foreign Languages at St. Amand's
The sacred endeavour of Modern Foreign Languages enables pupils to appreciate and learn from the diversity and richness of other cultures. MFL provides a unique opportunity to bring about communication, inclusion, reconcilation, peace and understanding and the beauty of diversity and unity of all God's family.
At St Amand's children have the opportunity to learn French in Years 3-6. They have lots of fun learning through games, singing songs, stories and activities to help children access the language. The children's learning covers 3 strands: Oracy, Literacy and Intercultural Understanding. This includes speaking, listening, reading, writing and intercultural understanding.
Oracy
In the early stages children will spend much of their time speaking and listening to French being spoken through song and the class teacher modelling to them. Children also have the opportunity to hear native speakers, recognising familiar and unfamiliar sounds. They reproduce these sounds themselves and create phrases and sentences.
Literacy
Children will start by learning to recognise certain sounds when they hear them and identify the letters that can be used to represent them. They will create simple sentences and share rhymes and stories enjoyed by French children. As children progress, they will be creating more complex sentences and begin to recognise vocabulary.
Intercultural Understanding
Language competence and intercultural understanding help children to become good citizens, as well as develop a greater understanding of their own lives. Becoming familiar with the same stories and songs as French children will naturally bring the learners into contact with aspects of the culture of another country. They also enjoy learning about their different customs and traditions.
Knowledge and Language
When learning a new language, children start to compare the new language with English or another language and reflect on similarities and differences. They also become aware of rules or patterns in language and begin to apply their knowledge when creating new language.
Past Language Days
So far we have had 3 very successful language days- a French, Spanish and even Latin Day! During this time the children get to experience and embed the language and traditions of the country through dance, learning songs, cooking, storytelling and have so much fun whilst doing so!
