MFL and International lnks

MfL; The window to the world

Learning a Modern Foreign Language prepares our pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are often carried out in languages other than English. It is essential that our pupils are equipped with the skills needed to succeed within the international workplace. Through learning a language, increased pupil initiative, confidence and independent learning is evident as well as enhancing an awareness of our own language.

Early Years /Key Stage 1

Although non-statutory, children are introduced to the French language through learning a range of songs, stories and rhymes. The focus is on developing their speaking and listening skills. Pupils learn to answer simple questions, name objects and respond to simple instructions.

Our curriculum projects will help learners explore their place in the world, to understand cultural differences and to celebrate the differences and diversities that make us all unique and special.

Key Stage 2

We teach French to our Key Stage 2 children on a weekly basis. We use the scheme Languagenut to ensure progression and interaction across Yr 3-6.

In the past, we have hosted British Council language assistants and worked with a Primary Languages Assistant from the North Tyneside Learning Trust, to allow children to interact with and learn from a native French speaker.

In Years 3 and 4, pupils begin to compose short conversations and speak in simple sentences.  Pupils will begin to read and write simple sentences on a familiar topic and say what they like/dislike. 

In Year 5 and 6, pupils build on their speaking and listening skills to ensure they are increasingly using the correct grammar. They are able to read and write pieces of text and begin to work out unfamiliar words.

Year 6 French Pen Pals work with Jean Rostand school in Rennes, France.

Year Six have started a pen pal programme with a class in a school in Rennes, France. WE started off by sharing some information about our school and then shared a short video, introducing themselves and giving some information about them. We are looking forward to hearing back from them.

International Work International School Award Accreditation in:-

July 2015, December 2018, July 2021 and July 2024

In July 2021, we successfully achieved re-accreditation in the British Council International Schools Award fo the third time. As part of this project we worked closely with staff and children from our partner schools in Rajkot, India and France and held various themed activities across school. Monkhouse’s ongoing international work includes learning how to say hello and greetings in a
range of languages and using these at different times across the school day, exploring the
commonwealth with our youngest pupils as part of their project on ‘What it's  like to be Royal’,
Year Three look at becoming sustainable by growing and planting food and having a
whole school focus on Fairtrade. In Year 6, by corresponding with pen pals in a school in France
across the year, it not only improves our French language skills, at the same time as
learning about their culture and festivals but allowed our pen pals to develop their English.
Since covid, we recognised the significance of positive mental health and wellbeing and it raised the awareness of inequality around the world even though we were all facing a pandemic together. To raise awareness, we  worked with our partner schools to share creative work indicating what made
the children happy. 

International Hello Day 

This year, we found out lots of different ways to day hello around the world. Each class delved a little deeper into one country and tweeted their 'international hello'.

Year 2-6  French Christmas Nativity

The children in KS2 learn French and this year, their nativity was conducted in spoken French with a translation for parents and carers. As a whole school, we learnt several traditional french Christmas songs, Il Est Ne, Sur la Route, Bonjour Petit , Etoile de Noël and Douce Nuit. The children worked hard and parents enjoyed this twist on a traditional nativity. 

Displays for MfL

To encourage the children to hear and understand the french language, displays around school prompt observations, questions and allow the children opportunities to use technology to 'hear' the language being spoken and sung. This Christmas, we have shared with the children a well known song, The Twelve Day of Christmas. By holding their ipads over each QR code, they will hear the relevant verse of the song in French and see the corresponding french words. This is a great way to allow children to engage and become immersed in the language.

Whole School Holi Celebrations

Across the school, we have  been learning about Holi, the Hindu festival of spring and colour. Each class used this festival to focus on different aspects and show their learning a variety of ways.

In nursery, they had an amazing time painting their faces and decorating t-shirts. 

In Year Three, they explored what would happen when they 'threw' colour and created their own Holi tee shirts. 

MfL ; The window to the world