POLICY STATEMENT ON FRENCH

Junior children have the opportunity to learn French although there is, as yet, no legal requirement within the National Curriculum until children reach K.S.3

The aim of our French teaching is to capitalise on children's natural interest and enthusiasm, encouraging them to communicate simply in the foreign language. By using a variety of authentic materials, giving the children opportunities to meet native speakers and enabling them to consider other cultural experiences and attitudes, we aim to develop the children's cultural awareness.

We emphasise the development of speaking and listening skills to foster a positive attitude to foreign language learning. This will prepare children at Sonning Common Primary School for the experience of developing reading and writing skills in French at secondary level. Some written work is introduced but only once words have been learnt and pronunciation practiced.

Assessment takes place only in an informal way in the class but parental views are sought annually at curriculum sharing evenings.

Our programme of study is deliberately flexible, although we are guided by the Programme of Study published for K.S.3 and 4 by the D.F.E.E. We use the Pilote scheme as a guide, supplementing this with television and radio programmes from the BBC/ITV, games, songs and other activities.

The staff and governing body review the provision of French annually and are keen that French should continue at Key Stage 2.

The Mary Glasgow publication ALLONS-Y, a beginners’ magazine, has been introduced in Year 6.

AMENDMENT SHEET FOR ALL POLICY STATEMENTS

POLICY ON FRENCH

POLICY NUMBER 46 Version 3

DATE POLICY RATIFIED: SPRING 1996

DATE POLICY LAST REWRITTEN: AUTUMN 2001

Review Date	Page	Line	Amendment
Summer 1995			Written
Summer 1999			Amended
Autumn 2001			Rewritten