“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.”

Chinese proverb

Learning a new language is a fun experience which can boost the memory, improve concentration, and develop confidence. It can also fuel curiosity and inspire children to take a greater interest in other people, cultures, and the wider world. As France is one of our closest neighbouring countries, and French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, we consider this to be an exciting and relevant language for the children to learn. French is also amongst the languages offered at Key Stage 3 in most of our local secondary schools. The learning experience at Richard Whittington therefore provides a valuable foundation which pupils may build upon in the next phase of their learning.

From the outset, instructions are given in French to help tune children’s ears into the language. Through repetition and games, the children expand their French vocabulary and hone their pronunciation skills as they learn useful phrases on a variety of different topics. French stories and songs are also incorporated into the curriculum to provide an engaging learning experience which promotes memorisation. At each stage of their learning, pupils are introduced to basic French grammar rules, giving them a greater depth of understanding, and the tools they need to start manipulating the language.