"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way."

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. Teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries.

MFL at Leighton: Our Approach and Rationale

At Leighton, our commitment to Modern Foreign Languages is exemplified through our concentrated approach to teaching French. This choice is deeply rooted in our strong ties with our neighbouring secondary school, which boasts an excellent French programme. Through close alignment with their curriculum, we ensure a smooth and effective transition for our pupils as they progress in their languages education, setting them on a path of continued success. During the school year, we invite older pupils studying French to come in and help deliver a lesson to our year 6s.

We believe language acquisition, particularly at a young age, is a key component in broadening pupils' cultural capital. By introducing them to the nuances of the French language, we are equipping them with a tool that allows for deeper connections, understanding, and engagement with diverse communities and cultures. As our pupils navigate from the foundational stages in Key Stage 2 and approach the culmination in Year 6, their linguistic abilities are honed, and their understanding of the wider world is enriched. At Leighton, our mission extends beyond mere instruction in French; we strive to cultivate informed, globally-aware individuals ready to embrace the linguistic challenges of the future and life in modern Britain.