Languages are taught in French at St Matthew's C of E, and our aim is to promote a positive language-learning experience through the four key skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

French is taught throughout KS2, in blocks and the time spent on French on average is 3 hours per term. During French lessons children begin to gain confidence in language learning through songs and games, as well as studying books and completing a range of activities on them. As they progress through the school they are equipped to begin to manipulate the language and can talk about themselves, their interests and can interact appropriately in a range of situations, for example, cafés and shops. Towards the end of year 6, the children are able to write sentences/postcards and/or letters in French, and enjoy a better understanding of the culture of France.

French lessons give every child the opportunity to:

• develop their listening skills through exposure to a range of native speaker voices, as well as by responding to their teacher
• develop and practise clear pronunciation and appropriate intonation by imitation, whole class repetition, pair work and small group work
• learn to relate the written form of words and phrases to their spoken form, and develop reading and writing skills
• compare their own culture with that of France and other French speaking countries both within and beyond Europe

Furthermore, KS1 get the opportunity to discover some aspects of French language and culture through whole school themed French afternoons such as Noël (Christmas), Paris or Pâques (Easter).