The key concepts that every teacher should be aware of within Primary Foreign Languages

The twelve DfE attainment targets for primary languages are the backbone to which teachers can refer as children progress through KS2.  They illustrate the key concepts of the subject which pupils need to be taught and have experience and regular practice in, in order to go on to become confident language learners:

1.       Listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding. 

2.       Explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs, rhymes and link spelling of sound and meaning of words. 

3.       Engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help. 

4.       Speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures. 

5.       Develop accurate pronunciation and intonation, so that others understand. 

6.       Present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences. 

7.       Read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing.

8.       Appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language. 

9.       Broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through the use of a dictionary.

10. Write phrases from memory and adapt these to create new sentences to express ideas clearly.

11. Describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing 

12. Understand basic grammar.

Teachers need to know and make clear to pupils that there are four core skills to learning a language; listening, speaking, reading and writing (often quoted in this order to replicate the order in which a child acquires his or her first language).  Additionally, there are three ‘pillars of language’; vocabulary, phonics and grammar on which all language learning sits and which any language curriculum should have inbuilt. A final theme which runs through the teaching of any language is its cultural understanding. Omitted from the 12 attainment targets but mentioned in the purpose of study, ‘Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.’  This statement promotes the ‘cultural capital’ that language learning has the power to influence in order to create global citizens of the future. 

The scheme of work that you intend to use, must display all of these traits in order to deliver Primary Langugaes effectively. At PLN, we have schemes of work to support all teachers, plus the training required for staff to feel confident in the delivery and coordination of the subject. For more info click the button below.