Modern Foreign Languages
To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.
At Burgh by Sands School, we believe that learning a new language opens doors to new cultures and perspectives.
At Burgh by Sands School, we believe that learning a modern foreign language broadens children’s horizons, deepens their understanding of other cultures and helps them make sense of the wider world. Our carefully planned and progressive MFL curriculum aims to inspire curiosity, confidence and enjoyment in language learning.
From Year 3 to Year 6, we teach French using the CUSP French curriculum, which fully meets the requirements of the National Curriculum (2014) and is rooted in evidence-led practice. This ensures that all pupils receive a high-quality languages education that builds knowledge and skills systematically over time.
Through our MFL curriculum, pupils are supported to:
- Understand and respond to spoken and written language from a range of authentic sources
- Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and accuracy, using correct pronunciation and intonation
- Read and write words, phrases and sentences for different purposes and audiences
- Develop an appreciation of language and written texts in French
Our teaching places a strong emphasis on speaking and listening, helping children to communicate ideas clearly and confidently. Lessons are active and engaging, with vocabulary and structures introduced through songs, games, partner work and practical activities. Children regularly work in pairs and small groups, enabling them to practise new language in a supportive environment while developing their understanding of basic grammar.
In Key Stage 2, pupils develop their skills across the four key areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. French is taught weekly, reducing the time between exposure to new vocabulary and helping children to retain and apply what they have learned. We also encourage pupils to practise and notice language beyond the classroom, both in school and at home.
A key strength of the CUSP French curriculum is its focus on cultural understanding. Pupils learn about French customs, traditions and daily life, making meaningful comparisons with their own experiences in modern Britain. They are introduced to significant French figures and landmarks, and develop an understanding of France’s geography, its place in the world and its historical and cultural achievements. Wherever possible, this learning is thoughtfully linked to other curriculum areas, such as art, music and geography.
Through our MFL provision, we aim to nurture confident communicators who are curious about languages, respectful of other cultures and well prepared for future language learning.
French Long Term Sequence
