Our approach to teaching French is rooted in our Christian vision that every child is a unique gift from God and shaped by our core values of Love, Faith and Hope. At Christ Church, we believe learning a modern foreign language helps pupils develop confidence, curiosity and respect for other cultures and communities.

French is taught across Key Stage 2 through a carefully sequenced curriculum which develops pupils’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills progressively over time. Learning focuses on building vocabulary, pronunciation and conversational confidence while helping pupils develop an understanding of French language and culture. This reflects the school’s wider commitment to a broad and ambitious curriculum identified within our SEF.

French has been chosen as our modern foreign language due to both the close geographical proximity of France to the United Kingdom and the rich linguistic diversity of our school community, which includes many families who speak French or have connections to French-speaking countries. This helps make language learning meaningful, relevant and reflective of the experiences of many pupils within our school.

Lessons are interactive and engaging, encouraging pupils to develop confidence through songs, games, discussion and practical activities. Teachers explicitly model vocabulary and pronunciation so pupils can communicate with increasing accuracy and fluency.

We believe all pupils should feel successful in language learning. Teachers adapt activities and provide scaffolding and visual support to ensure pupils with SEND and EAL can participate fully and develop confidence alongside their peers.

Through French, pupils develop an appreciation for different cultures, traditions and ways of life. Lessons promote curiosity about the wider world while helping pupils understand the value of communication, diversity and global connection. Opportunities to explore similarities and differences between languages also strengthen pupils’ understanding of language more broadly.

Assessment and retrieval opportunities are used regularly to help pupils retain and apply key vocabulary and language structures over time. Leaders monitor curriculum implementation through pupil voice, lesson visits and curriculum review to ensure French remains progressive, engaging and accessible for all learners.

Through our French curriculum, we aim to develop confident, curious and respectful learners who are inspired to communicate with others and appreciate the richness and diversity of the world around them.

Matthew 18, V20 – ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there also.‘