"Learning other languages enables children and young people to make connections with different people and their cultures and to play a fuller part as global citizens” Building the Curriculum,2006

We believe that learning foreign languages is a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for all our pupils. Through the teaching and learning of Modern Foreign Languages at Colliers Green we seek to develop the ‘four skills’ of speaking, listening, reading and writing. 

In studying a modern language, pupils are encouraged to: 

1. value intellectual development, 
2. appreciate different cultures and to 
3. ​enhance their ability to communicate.

Learning languages supports our three school values:

• Aspiration: loving the world by showing an interest in its diversity
• Resilience: loving yourself by giving something new a go and not worrying about making mistakes
• Community: loving each other by learning about the rich diversity of languages and cultures within our own school and community

As a school we have chosen to study French as the core language throughout the school with weekly lessons in Key Stage 2 with more informal exposure in the first three years

• to foster an interest in language learning by introducing children to other languages in a way that is enjoyable and accessible to all pupils
• to stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language and creativity in experimenting with it
• to support the wider curriculum by developing independent questioning learners
• to help children develop their awareness of cultural similarities and differences
• to lay the foundations for future language study by pupils
• to provide an added perspective on first language teaching and learning
• to give an extra dimension to teaching and learning across the curriculum
• to encourage a 'give it a go' attitude to communicating in a foreign language
• to celebrate ethnic diversity within our school and community 

There are three contexts in which language teaching and learning takes place:

1.    Discrete language lessons

2.    Language embedded in other lessons (cross curricular activities)

3.    ‘Incidental language’ (e.g. as part of school routines)

In Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 pupils follow an informal programme based on songs, stories, rhymes and simple activities (such as responding to the register in a new language). These activities introduce pupils to basic vocabulary and the sounds of languages whilst offering opportunities to learn about the culture of other countries. Additional activities linked to topics are also included where appropriate.

In Key Stage 2 pupils follow termly topics adapted to suit our school and support the objectives laid out in the National Curriculum. Throughout the four years of KS2 children will learn songs, rhymes and stories as well as participating in role play, writing texts of varying lengths and for a variety of purposes, and speaking French in a variety of contexts. Additional activities linked to topics, and in support of Literacy and Maths skills, are also added where appropriate, and pupils are always encouraged to make connections between French and languages that they speak or with which they are familiar.​