Modern Foreign Languages

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

Intent

At St Agnes, we believe that learning a modern foreign language is an essential part of preparing our pupils for life in an increasingly interconnected world.

Through our MFL curriculum, we aim to:

  • Foster curiosity about other languages and cultures

  • Develop communication skills

  • Lay the foundations for lifelong language learning

  • Enable pupils to become successful linguists who can communicate confidently in another language

Our curriculum ensures that pupils:

  • Build a secure understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and phonics in the target language

  • Develop language learning skills that support their literacy development

  • Explore and appreciate the culture of target language countries

  • Make meaningful connections between languages

Implementation

We deliver our MFL curriculum using the Primary Language Network scheme, which provides a carefully structured and progressive approach to language learning.

Curriculum structure:

Our scheme of work provides opportunities for pupils to:

  • Introduce and practise appropriate target language vocabulary

  • Identify and use nouns, adjectives, verbs, prepositions, and conjunctions in the target language

  • Explore and build a secure understanding of target language phonics

  • Find out more about the culture of target language countries

Progression across Key Stage 2:

Progression in vocabulary acquisition, grammar, and phonics is planned for and built in across the 4 stages (Years 3-6), ensuring that:

  • Learning builds systematically on prior knowledge

  • Pupils develop increasingly sophisticated language skills

  • Skills are revisited and deepened year-on-year

Native speaker pronunciation:

There is access to native speaker pronunciation in every lesson, ensuring that pupils:

  • Hear authentic pronunciation from the start

  • Develop accurate speaking and listening skills

  • Build confidence in their oral communication

Language learning skills:

Language learning skills and links between languages and literacy are explored age and stage appropriately, helping pupils to:

  • Understand how languages work

  • Make connections between their language learning and English literacy

  • Develop transferable skills that support their overall language development

Impact

Through our MFL curriculum, pupils at St Agnes will:

  • Be curious about other languages and cultures

  • Have strong foundations for lifelong language learning

  • Be able to communicate confidently in another language

  • Have secure knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and phonics in the target language

  • Be able to identify and use nouns, adjectives, verbs, prepositions, and conjunctions appropriately

  • Understand and apply target language phonics

  • Speak with accurate pronunciation, modelled on native speakers

  • Have knowledge and appreciation of the culture of target language countries

  • Understand connections between languages and how language learning supports their literacy development

  • Be prepared for further language study at secondary school

  • See themselves as successful linguists who can apply their skills in real-world contexts

MFL Progression 3 - 6