"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart."

^{Nelson Mandela}

Learning a foreign language helps to open up children’s eyes to the wider world as well as honing their language skills at a time when their language-learning abilities are greatest. Children at St Michael’s learn French starting in Year 1 where they are taught mainly through games. As they move into Key Stage 2, they begin to ask and answer questions about themselves and the world around them. They  learn to read and write some French and learn about culture and life in French-speaking countries.

Junior children  have a French Day in school when they spend the day going to France on a virtual Eurostar, (see image to the right)  playing boules, French board games, making models of French landmarks and buying items in our French market and café using money changed in our Bureau de Change. Infant children have a café morning. Year Five also have a day trip to France giving them the chance to put into practice what they have been learning. 

When important festivals from other cultures occur, for example Chinese New Year, children may learn about traditional celebrations, or some of the language associated with that culture.

To find out more about how skills progress over the years, please see below

To find out how Foreign Languages fit into the wider curriculum, please click on the Curriculum Maps tab to the left