Language specialist teacher

At Parkroyal learning a foreign language is considered a very important part of children's education because it will broaden pupils’  horizons and provides an opening to other cultures, as well as equipping them with the necessary skills for the 21st century. Mme Murphy is our lead language teacher.

The foreign languages curriculum aims to foster:

• Pupils’ curiosity and

• Deepen their understanding of the world.  

The curriculum is skills based and provides a strong foundation for learning further languages.  Children enjoy authentic songs and poems and develop transferable skills, as well as learning to understand and communicate ideas, facts and opinions.     

Class teachers collaborate with the specialist to have a French display in the classroom, which supports the children's learning.  In order for children to make good progress, class teachers should embed foreign languages into the school day for example by using French greetings and giving routine instructions such as "line up", "sit down" in French.  

The document 'Embedding French Throughout the School Day' gives lots of ideas and vocabulary for how class teachers can do this.  Class teachers should also follow up the children's work with the specialist e.g referring to vocabulary learnt, getting the children to 'teach the teacher' or by replaying a song.  It is important that staff show a growth mindset with regards foreign language learning and act as a role model in always wanting to learn and improve. Furthermore, children need more than one role model who demonstrates using a foreign language so that they consider it 'normal'.  

We are also developing our provision of global learning, through CPD and resources from the government funded Global Learning Programme.  Incorporating a global element into our teaching helps us to:

·         develop a richer, more interesting curriculum

·         use real-world contexts to enthuse, inspire and engage pupils

·         develop an ethos encouraging empathy, fairness and respect

·         stimulate critical thinking about global issues, both at a whole school and pupil level

It also helps pupils make sense of the world in which they live, understand their role within a global society and explore strategies by which they can make it more just and sustainable  

We are developing our global learning provision through different curriculum subjects as well as through enrichment sessions and assemblies. This supports us to deliver our vision and mission as well as to enrich our curriculum.