Languages
How We Teach Languages at Kyson
Language teaching is based on the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages (2005). This framework provides clear progression from year 3 to year 6 in all key areas of language learning: Oracy, Literacy and Intercultural Understanding. Running through each of these strands are ‘Knowledge about Language’ (KAL) and ‘Language Learning Strategies’ (LLS) which are the essential knowledge and skills required for children to be successful linguists.
At Kyson, the main language taught is French. It is taught for 45 minutes in Y3 by a class teacher and for an hour a week in Years 4 - 6 by a specialist teacher. All children have the opportunity to learn through bespoke planned lessons which enthuse and motivate them. We also celebrate languages that are spoken within our school community and use the European Day of Languages as a springboard for this. We have good links with the Farlingaye High School language department and regularly take up exciting opportunities which have included an extra-curricular German club and visits from Year 9 language students who work with Kyson children to develop their oracy skills.
Linguamarque
Kyson are proud to have been awarded (December 2023) a GOLD Linguamarque school - this award recognises that French is embedded across the school with hourly French lessons for every KS2 child, but additionally across the curriculum with every class participating in daily French activities for example, saying the French date, saying and recording the daily weather, answering the register in French and singing the year group French song which changes each half term.
Languages and other cultures are welcomed and celebrated at Kyson through our whole school displays, greetings posters in the entrance foyer and around the EYFS area. Year 6 children each have a French penpal from a school in Amiens and love sending and receiving letters, cards and examples of work. https://www.stefa.org/pages/college-sainte-anne/
Oracy
Oracy (speaking and listening) is where all language learning begins. At Kyson, the children have plenty of opportunities to practise their oracy skills through songs, rhymes, poems, conversations, class surveys, role plays and performances in a safe and secure environment which aims to build confidence. They interact with the teacher as well as being exposed to French native speakers through audio and video clips. Oracy in French begins in KS1 with simple songs, greetings, days and months before progressing to formal lessons in KS2.
Literacy
Literacy (reading and writing) is entwined with oracy so that right from the beginning of the children’s language learning, they are used to hearing, saying, reading and writing new vocabulary. We work systematically to build from single word learning to short phrases, sentences and short paragraphs, all the while ensuring that key grammatical concepts are taught and reinforced through a variety of topics. Children are taught not to be afraid of unfamiliar foreign language texts by having regular practise at decoding and translating using key ‘Language Learning Strategies’ which include bilingual dictionary use.
Intercultural Understanding
We recognise that learning about different countries and cultures is integral to developing as open-minded and tolerant citizens. We strive to provide rich learning opportunities for Kyson children to explore the similarities and differences between themselves and children in other countries in terms of their daily routines, values, traditions and beliefs. Each year group learns about special French festivals and celebrations which include Les Fêtes des Rois, le Premier Mai and Bastille Day. We experience food, music and games/activities from these festivals as well as using the power of the internet to take our children on virtual trips abroad.
Story Based Learning
Each year group is exposed to at least one story text which forms the basis for at least a half-term of teaching. This deep focus on specific texts allows children to apply their learning to a different context.
Year 3: Miss Louise goes to Paris and La Chenille qui fait des Trous (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)
Year 4: le Navet Géant (The Giant Turnip)
Year 5: Berthhe va a Paris
Year 6: Les aventures de TinTin
Each year group is exposed to at least one story text which forms the basis for at least a half-term of teaching. This deep focus on specific texts allows children to apply their learning to a different context.
Year 9 students working with a group of year 5s.
National Research by The University of Reading
Kyson is taking part in The Progression in Primary Languages Project (until 2026) which will examine Key Stage 2 children’s progression in a foreign language over four years of language learning at primary school in England. The aim of the study is to build a full and detailed picture of how children’s language knowledge develops in a primary school setting and shed light on the factors that affect language learning in this context. The data generated through the study will help to identify realistic learning outcomes and benchmarks for primary languages which can inform curriculum planning at primary school level and enable secondary schools to better take account of the language learning that is happening at primary school. At the end of the first year, Kyson is largely performing above other schools involved with the project.
National Research by The University of Southampton
Our current Y5 cohort are also taking part in some action research conducted by the University of Southampton. This involves the use of stories to promote not only language acquisition, but also empathy and creativity. Later in 2024 they will also be trialling a brand new French phonics app which aims to improve pronunciation of key phonemes in the French language.
primary national curriculum languages.pdf
