Languages at Dale Hall
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.
At Dale Hall, our aim is for all children to develop a love and curiosity for learning a foreign language by following the curriculum in an engaging and fun way. We strive to create a respectful and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and all cultures.
Although MFL is not compulsory in Key Stage 1, the children do have informal opportunities to develop some vocabulary in other languages (at times such as registration etc.) so as to introduce and raise their awareness of the fact that English is not the only language spoken in the world. A love for different languages is also encouraged through rhymes, stories and songs.
In Key Stage 2, we follow a more structured approach with regular lessons in French throughout the year and key stage. Opportunities are also seized across the curriculum to introduce both French and other languages, so that children become more familiar with different words and pronunciation. Our school’s growth mindset approach encourages resilience and fosters a positive learning environment where children feel confident speaking aloud and are prepared to take risks without fear of making mistakes. We use a variety of materials and activities, including songs, games and role play to develop speaking and listening skills. These are consolidated with simple reading and writing skills.
"With languages, you are at home anywhere." - Edmund De Waal
Useful links for home learning:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z39d7t
