French

At Talbot Heath, French is more than just learning a new language, it opens doors to curiosity, communication and cultural understanding. Our French lessons are lively, inclusive and designed to nurture confidence as pupils begin to express themselves in a different language.

Building on the playful, song and game‑based learning that takes place from Kindergarten, pupils from Year 3 onwards develop their speaking, listening, reading and writing through a rich and engaging curriculum. Topics such as numbers, family, food, hobbies, animals and special celebrations are brought to life through interactive activities that encourage pupils to use French naturally and with growing independence.

We place a strong emphasis on oracy. The Talk Project supports pupils in developing the confidence to speak spontaneously, for example, by responding to the register with an opinion and a reason, helping them to communicate with increasing fluency and authenticity. Through regular opportunities for conversation, role‑play, performance and pair work, pupils learn to take risks, collaborate and enjoy experimenting with language.

A wide range of resources, including songs, stories, games and digital platforms ensures that learning is fun, varied and appropriately challenging for all. Grammar is introduced progressively and purposefully, with a focus on building accurate sentences, understanding verbs and developing awareness of gender and agreement. This structured approach enables pupils to apply their knowledge confidently in both spoken and written French.

French at Talbot Heath is often linked to wider curriculum themes, giving pupils a meaningful context for their learning and helping them appreciate the language within real‑life and cultural settings. While our teaching aligns with the National Curriculum, we are not constrained by it; instead, we take an ambitious and creative approach that broadens pupils’ horizons and deepens their love of languages.

We ensure every child feels supported, inspired and ready for the next stage of their language‑learning journey