Luddendenfoot J & I School

MFL Policy

Rationale

At Luddendenfoot Junior and Infant School, we believe that learning a modern foreign language helps all pupils develop their interests and curiosity in the similarities and differences between themselves and others.  This includes learning about countries, cultures, peoples and communities.  Learning a foreign language helps pupils to extend their communication skills and enhances self-esteem.

Aims

We teach a modern foreign language to all pupils from Reception to year 6 as part of our normal school curriculum.

Through the teaching of MFL we aim to:

• Raise awareness that languages other than English exist
• Develop positive attitudes to other languages and cultures
• Introduce children to simple vocabulary and structures which can be used in a variety of contexts in the normal school day, e.g. date, classroom organisation, routines, songs thus making MFL use normal and developing confidence
• Raise awareness of aspects of mother tongue by encountering other languages
• Raise awareness of aspects of home culture by encountering other cultures and raising awareness of citizenship issues.
• Prepare pupils for specialist teaching in secondary school

Learning Outcomes

At Luddendenfoot Junior and Infant School we are following the progressive strands of teaching and learning set out in the KS2 MFL Framework.  These strands include objectives for Oracy, Literacy, Intercultural Understanding and Knowledge about language.  To do this we use the guidance materials developed by Calderdale, which consist of graded objectives.  We also liaise closely with other primary and secondary schools in our local cluster group and take an active part in developing appropriate schemes of work and resources. 

We consider the main criterion of success to be that children go on from Luddendenfoot J & I School to their secondary schools with a sound basic knowledge of some linguistic structures and associated vocabulary and with an enthusiasm to learn more.

Assessment

Pupils work will be assessed against the Calderdale MFL toolkit level descriptors.

We are using the following methods of assessment:

• Teacher assessment within normal class teaching. 

This will enable the teacher to differentiate the style of questioning and conversation used for individual pupils.

• One piece of written work per topic

• End of Unit Assessment

Pupils will be assessed at the end of each unit in line with age related expectations. 

Pupil Self-assessment

This is an end of year assessment to inform next class teacher or KS3 teacher of the pupil’s level of confidence.

Scheme of Work

To ensure all pupils receive their entitlement to the MFL curriculum the QCA and Wakefield Scheme of work will be followed.

Professional Development

Professional development opportunities will be provided in line with an analysis of needs linked to the needs linked to the School Improvement Plan.  Funds for professional development may be used to support a range of activities both within and outside the school.

The role of the Co-coordinator

The co-coordinator will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the policy, for the management of resources; for attending relevant courses and passing on information and knowledge pertaining to the subject and its teaching.

Evaluation and Review

The whole staff will continue to the evaluation of the policy enabling modifications, if necessary to be made.  Issues or concerns can be raised and dealt with at staff meetings.

The staff and governors will review the policy in line with the School Development Plan.