At Aston Rowant, learning a foreign language opens the door to curiosity, confidence and a wider understanding of the world. Our MFL curriculum reflects our Christian vision of Growing Together by enabling children to become courageous, enthusiastic and culturally aware communicators. Through high-quality language learning, pupils learn to appreciate diversity, develop respect for other cultures and build the foundations for future language study.

We follow Cave Languages, a highly structured and fully resourced scheme designed specifically for mixed-age primary settings, ensuring clear progression from phonics and vocabulary to grammar, sentence construction and cultural understanding. This scheme supports our ambition that every child should:

• Enjoy language learning
• Speak with increasing confidence
• Listen and respond to authentic language
• Read and write for purpose
• Understand and discuss aspects of Francophone culture
• Grow as global citizens

Our rich MFL curriculum is further strengthened by cross-curricular experiences, enterprise projects, cultural days, and our wider Christian distinctiveness. We aim to inspire children to see themselves as linguists - confident, inquisitive and able to communicate beyond their first language.

INTENT

Our intention is that all pupils:

1. Become confident early linguists

Pupils build secure knowledge of phonics, vocabulary and simple grammatical patterns, enabling them to understand and use spoken and written French.

2. Develop cultural understanding

Children learn about French-speaking countries, customs, festivals and cultural traditions, promoting respect, diversity and global awareness.

3. Experience enjoyment and purpose

Our curriculum aims to foster curiosity, enjoyment and resilience - children see language not as a school subject but as an enriching way to connect with others.

4. Build secure foundations for KS3

Our mixed-age progression through Cave Languages ensures pupils develop skills in:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing
• Grammar
• Sound–spelling correspondence
• Dictionary use

5. Reflect our Christian vision and values

MFL strengthens our GROWTH values by teaching:

• Gratitude for different cultures
• Wonder at the beauty of language
• Trust in ourselves as growing learners
• Harmony across cultures
• Outreach through broadening horizons
• Resilience when tackling new vocabulary and structures

IMPLEMENTATION

1. Cave Languages Scheme

We teach French using Cave Languages, chosen because it:

• Is research-based and fully progressive
• Is mapped for mixed-age classes (Fox and Owl)
• Builds from phonics → vocabulary → grammar → purposeful outcomes
• Uses authentic listening, songs, games and structured writing
• Provides clear challenge and support
• Includes dictionary work from early stages

2. Two-Year Cycles (Mixed-Age Provision)

Our curriculum follows a two-year learning cycle:

Fox Class (KS2 Lower) develop:

• French phonics
• Simple sentences
• Colour adjectives
• Questions
• Gender & plurals
• Positive/negative structures
• Early dictionary skills (See Long-Term Plan for Cycle A/B skills.)

Owl Class (KS2 Upper) move towards:

• Complex sentences
• Manipulating grammar (regular/irregular verbs)
• Agreement of adjectives
• Partitive/definite/indefinite articles
• Structured writing outcomes (poems, descriptions, mini-books)
• Confident pronunciation

3. Progression of Skills

Staff use the MFL Progression Document to ensure coverage and sequencing, as outlined in the Action Plan. Regular staff training and monitoring ensure consistency of delivery.

4. High-Quality Classroom Practice

Teachers use:

• Songs, games, chants and stories
• Repetition and modelling
• Retrieval practice
• Paired speaking
• Scaffolded writing
• Role-play
• Flashcards, bilingual dictionaries, visuals & real objects

5. Cultural Learning

Each year includes:

• Festivals and celebrations (Epiphany, Christmas traditions, food culture)
• Francophone country studies
• Games, food tasting, traditions

6. Monitoring & Assessment

• Pupil voice
• Book looks
• Foundation trackers
• Regular feedback during lessons
• Summative assessment at the end of each unit

IMPACT

Our MFL curriculum leads to:

1. Confident, articulate language users

Pupils can understand spoken French, respond appropriately, and speak in increasingly fluent sentences as they progress through KS2.

2. Skilled early linguists

By Year 6, pupils can:

• Produce short paragraphs
• Manipulate grammar
• Ask and answer increasingly complex questions
• Read sentences and short texts
• Use dictionaries independently

3. Strong cultural awareness

Children can talk about:

• Countries where French is spoken
• Key cultural traditions
• Similarities and differences between France and the UK
• Their reflections on diversity and global citizenship

4. Evidence of progress in books

Book looks demonstrate:

• Sequence of learning
• Clear progression
• Use of grammar
• Writing outcomes (poems, mini-books, descriptions)
• Tasks that mirror KS3 expectations

5. Positive pupil voice

Children speak enthusiastically about MFL, confidently reflecting on:

• What they have learned
• How their skills have developed
• What they enjoy and what helps them learn

6. Readiness for KS3

Our curriculum ensures children leave Aston Rowant:

• Motivated to continue language learning
• Familiar with key grammatical concepts
• Equipped with strong foundations in phonics and vocabulary
• Culturally curious and outward-looking