French at Pitmaston

At Pitmaston, we aim to foster a lifelong passion for language encouraging our pupils to be linguists and appreciate different languages.  Learning a language provides our children with opportunities to experience other cultures and communities, broadening their life experience and giving them the confidence to move into the wider world knowing they can have the opportunity to work or study in other countries if they want to.

At Pitmaston, the Modern Foreign Language that we have chosen to teach our pupils is French.  French is spoken as a first or second language in over 40 countries and is spoken by 125 million people.  We use the Rigolo scheme, an ambitious curriculum which covers the National Curriculum, and provides our children with a deliberate progression of skills from year 3 to year 6. The use of songs, flashcards, games, videos and practical speaking and listening activities engage the children and enrich their learning experiences.  We have a vocabulary progression ladder which enables children to practise and retrieve their vocabulary knowledge, applying this in two way conversations.  During lessons, children learn to read, write, speak and understand French.

Grammar is specifically taught, starting at word level in Year 3, such as masculine and feminine words.  By Year 6 it focuses on more complex grammar such as the use of negatives and plurals, all of which also aids and further supports their understanding of grammar and language structure in their English lessons.  Although, French is taught in Key Stage 2, the language and communication skills that are vital for achieving this, are embedded starting in the Early Years, through the progression of spoken language and phonics, the relationships between sounds and spelling.

We have four pupils who have been chosen as our French Ambassadors this academic year due to their enthusiasm and ability within French.  They support the teaching staff with displays and enjoy speaking to visitors about French at Pitmaston.  We also have many language ambassadors who speak more than one language within our school community and we enjoy celebrating and respecting these languages and learning key words. 

Meet our French Ambassadors