Our curriculum leader for MFL is Tina Culpin

National Curriculum Purpose of Study

Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries.

Curriculum Intent

At Houghton Primary we believe that learning German is a necessary part of being a member  of a multi-cultural society and provides an opening to other cultures. Learning another language fosters the children’s curiosity and deepens their understanding of our world. It is a valuable skill to communicate effectively with others in a different language therefore  we aim to foster an interest in MFL so the children are engaged and we lay the foundations of future language learning.

Curriculum Implementation

At Houghton Primary School we follow the National Curriculum MFL aims by studying one language. In Key Stage 2 and  to do this we use the Goethe Institut schemes of learning which are divided into four years of progressive learning . Year 3 start at the beginning of the scheme and every year group follows on from the previous learning. rather than start a new year. This enables us to cover the scheme progressively. The Goethe Institut scheme  identifies the key  knowledge that is important. The learning through the Goethe Institut scheme allows for the acquisition of basic skills and understanding progressing onto more complex language concepts and greater learner autonomy. We aim to develop children’s language understanding through an approach which allows for speaking and listening through stories, games and songs as well as direct teaching of skills and vocabulary. We also develop children’s cultural understanding of Germany through special days and topic work in other areas such as Geography and PE.  We aim to enrich the language curriculum with links to our local Secondary schools  and a teacher in Germany.

Felix and Franzi!

Curriculum Impact

Assessment of MFL  skills and knowledge is ongoing (formative) during lessons. Teachers  assess and  responsively support children as necessary.

At the end of each unit teachers assess children’s knowledge through questioning,  quizzes and similar activities. Knowledge in vocabulary and grammar  is revisited whilst working through the blocks  to support long term memory and retrieval. Interviewing the children about their learning(pupil voice) and learning walks will be used by the subject lead.

The letterbox!

Celebrating Franzi's birthday! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Franzi!

Please click here for National Curriculum Programme of Study for Languages