The language is taught by our specialist teacher with the emphasis being very much on listening and speaking skills and reading. Lessons are hands-on and fast-paced activities include role-plays, visual prompts, videos, flash cards, games and songs. 

The aims of learning French are to:

• Foster an interest on learning other languages
• Introduce young children to another language that is fun and enjoyable
• Stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about French
• Encourage children to be aware that language has a structure and that the latter differs from one language to another
• Help the children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries. We celebrate French festivals and customs appropriate to the time of year.
• Develop their speaking and listening skills.

This is a progressive curriculum which, based on a number of topics, provides the children with the opportunity to explore the language through various activities and complete written tasks which become more focused as the children move into the next year. 

In Year 3 and 4, children will learn simple vocabulary to include colours, numbers, greetings, animals and food. Phonics and pronunciation are a big focus.

In Year 5 and 6, the children move on to learning more complex vocabulary as well as simple sentences structures and grammatical concepts. In Year 6, equipped with a wide range of vocabulary and knowing how to use a dictionary, the children improve their writing by using extended grammar tense construction, order of adjectives and verbs.

It is with a good knowledge base and a familiarity with French culture that the children enter their secondary school.