French teaching at local primary school
Since September 2017, the head of modern and foreign languages has been visiting Holy Trinity Primary School once a week to teach French to 30 year 2 or year 4 pupils.
Aims
- to engage primary age children in learning a foreign language and discover other cultures
- to encourage engagement and learn a new skill
- to learn basic vocabulary on a number of topic
- to focus on speaking and listening skills
- to reinforce British values
- sowing the seeds of engaging with French as a life skill rather than a curriculum requirement
Background
Initially our headmistress approached the headteacher of Holy Trinity CofE Primary School to offer curriculum support. In September 2017, the head of modern and foreign languages made contact to offer and set up weekly French lessons. The lessons have occurred regularly since September 2017.
Resources
Teacher time. The head of modern and foreign languages goes to Holy Trinity Primary School for approximately one and a half hours weekly.
Impact
What pupils achieve/skills learnt:
- in 1 term, pupils have learnt a variety of topics: greetings, colours, animals, numbers 1-30, clothes, Alphabet, sports and a variety of songs
- pupils are very engaged in lesson and look forward to it each week
- pupils learn through fun activities and learn without realising they are being taught
- the emphasis of teaching through the medium of speaking and listening has enabled students to have excellent French pronunciation
- through repetition of key words there is high retention of the vocabulary taught in previous sessions.
What teachers and mentors achieved/skills learnt:
- teacher has learnt how to teach primary school classes effectively
- teachers have developed their teaching style to teach only listening and speaking skills
- lesson evaluation is developing the teacher’s style to enable good progress and engagement for all pupils.
Pupil Involvement
30 Holy Trinity Primary School pupils at any one time benefit from the French lessons. French lessons are delivered to year 2 or year 4 pupils, depending on the school term.
Frequency
Ongoing, weekly event.