The world today is becoming more and more globalised. Interaction and integration between different cultures, governments and economies is now commonplace. At New York Primary School, we are eager for our pupils to not only be citizens of our society, but to be citizens of the world.

We strongly believe that learning a foreign language will help to open doors for our pupils in the future. As globalisation continues to grow, so too will the demand for professionals able to communicate in more than one language.

In addition, evidence has shown that learning an additional language actually helps to improve a child’s understanding of the grammar and vocabulary of their own language. The activities associated with learning an additional language also help to enhance listening skills and memory.

Our Languages Curriculum has been carefully designed to help children to be able to access all of the above benefits. Our KS2 children receive weekly French lessons where they participate in a range of activities to help them to not only develop their vocabulary, but also their understanding of grammar and of the French culture. Over the four years of their concentrated language learning they cover a broad range of topics and have opportunities to speak, listen, read and write in French. In EYFS and KS1, children begin to learn simple greetings and other key words in French to help to prepare them for the transition to KS2. As a school, we celebrate our French learning with an annual whole school French Day where children across the school come together to share their learning about France and the French language. Children in EYFS and KS1 also participate in an additional themed French afternoon three times a year where they partake in a range of activities designed to engage their interest in this subject. Children who feel particularly passionate about learning languages have the additional opportunity to participate in a languages after school club.

As well as our focus on the French language, we also teach our pupils about a range of different cultures as part of their topics throughout the academic year. This approach is embedded throughout our curriculum and has close links with Geography, RE and PSHE.