“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” – Frank Smith  (Psycholinguist)   

At Ladbrooke, we teach a foreign language to children throughout Key Stage Two. French is taught by a specialist language teacher during weekly time-tabled lessons. We use a variety of techniques to enable children to actively engage in the modern foreign language: these include games, role-play, songs (particularly action songs), storytelling and interactive ICT programmes. We often use real objects e.g. food, drinks, clothes, puppets and toys to bring the language to life. We watch videos and listen to recordings in order to expose the children to more than one voice in the foreign language. New vocabulary in the foreign language is taught by using mime and actions as this teaches the language without the need for translation and aids memory. We make the lessons as entertaining and enjoyable as possible, as we believe that this approach develops a positive attitude in the children to the learning of modern foreign languages.

MFL prepares pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are often carried out in languages other than English. Increased capability in the use of MFL promotes initiative, confidence and independent learning and encourages diversity within society. Owing to their lack of inhibition, young children are usually enthusiastic participants in oral exchanges, making early language learning a great developer of receptive and productive oral skills, as well as of enjoyment for language learning and communication.

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