“You can never understand one language until you understand at least two”

Geoffrey Willans

At Valentine we believe it is vital that children are equipped with a critical understanding of the opportunities that will open up to them with the ability to communicate in a different language. Further, we know language teaching develops:

• An appreciation of other cultures and traditions;
• An in-depth knowledge and re-enforcement of a child’s understanding and acquisition of grammatical knowledge and application;
• It underpins language and communication by improving speech and pronunciation skills

deepening speaking and listening, reading and writing

Learning French at Valentine supports and strengthens children's wider English objectives in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Through early exploration of a new language, pupils sharpen their listening skills, become more confident in speaking aloud, and develop a keener understanding of sentence structure and vocabulary. Studying French also deepens their appreciation of grammar, helping them to identify and apply rules around tense, agreement, and syntax with greater accuracy in both languages. This cross-language learning enriches their literacy skills overall, building a stronger foundation for communication, comprehension, and critical thinking across the curriculum.

CULTURE AS WELL AS LANGUAGE

At Valentine, the content of our French curriculum is carefully designed to build pupils' understanding of both the language and the rich culture of French-speaking countries over time. As children progress, they are introduced not just to vocabulary and grammar, but also to traditions, celebrations, food, geography, and daily life in France and other Francophone regions. This layered approach helps pupils see language learning as a gateway to appreciating different ways of life, broadening their global awareness and fostering respect for other cultures. By deepening both their linguistic skills and cultural understanding year on year, children develop a more meaningful and authentic connection to the language they are studying.

Knowledge organisers

Below you will find the knowledge organisers for your child's year group, for this current term.

The knowledge organiser supports you with:

• Subject specific vocabulary that your child must know and learn
• Key knowledge that they should know and remember