French at St Luke's Primary School
MFL and language : Madame Mbick
Why we teach French
At St Luke's, we believe that learning a foreign language opens doors to new cultures and ways of thinking. From Year 1 through to Year 6, all our pupils learn French, developing skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Learning French helps our children become confident communicators and prepares them for life in our diverse, multilingual community and beyond.
What your child will learn
Our French curriculum focuses on developing five key skills:
Speaking
Children learn to speak French with confidence, starting with simple words and phrases in Year 1 and building up to conversations by Year 6. They practise pronunciation, learn to express their opinions, and develop the courage to speak in a new language.
Listening
Through songs, stories, and conversations, children develop their ability to understand spoken French. They learn to pick out key words, follow instructions, and understand increasingly complex spoken language as they progress through the school.
Reading
As children move through the years, they learn to read French words, sentences, and short texts. They discover how French is written and make connections between sounds and spellings.
Writing
Children progress from writing single words to creating sentences and short paragraphs in French. They learn key vocabulary and grammar structures that help them express themselves in writing.
Cultural understanding
Learning French is about more than just the language. Our children explore French culture, traditions, and ways of life. They learn about French-speaking countries around the world, try French foods, celebrate French festivals, and discover what life is like for children in France and other francophone nations.
How French is taught
French lessons are engaging, interactive, and fun. Children learn through:
- Songs, rhymes, and games
- Role-play and conversations
- Stories and videos
- Creative activities and projects
- Celebrating French culture and traditions
Progression from Year 1 to Year 6
Years 1-2: Children are introduced to French through playful activities, learning basic greetings, numbers, colours, and simple vocabulary. They develop an ear for the language through songs and stories.
Years 3-4: Pupils build on their foundation, learning more complex vocabulary and beginning to form simple sentences. They start to read and write in French and explore French culture more deeply.
Years 5-6: Children develop greater fluency and confidence. They engage in longer conversations, read and write more complex texts, and deepen their understanding of French grammar and culture.
Supporting your child at home
You don't need to speak French to support your child! You can:
- Encourage them to share what they've learned
- Watch French children's programmes together
- Listen to French music or songs
- Try French foods or visit French restaurants
- Explore books about France from the library
- Celebrate their progress and enthusiasm for learning a new language
The benefits of learning French
By the time children leave St Luke's in Year 6, they will have developed:
- Confidence in speaking a foreign language
- An appreciation of different cultures
- Enhanced memory and listening skills
- Greater awareness of how languages work
- A foundation for learning additional languages in secondary school
We're proud of our French provision at St Luke's and the enthusiasm our children show for language learning. If you have any questions about French at our school, please don't hesitate to get in touch at noelie.mbick@st-lukes.newham.sch.uk
French resources:
Website: https://www.french-games.net/
Duolingo - Free app with gamified French lessons suitable for beginners
BBC Bitesize French - Age-appropriate videos, games and activities aligned to the curriculum
YouTube channels like "Learn French with Alexa" for basic vocabulary and pronunciation
CBeebies French resources - Great for younger learners with songs and simple phrases
