This document refers to and should be read in conjunction with:

Planning, teaching and assessing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties - Modern foreign languages QCA

RATIONALE

'Learning a modern foreign language helps all pupils develop their interest and curiosity in the similarities and differences between themselves and others. This includes learning about countries, cultures, people and communities. Meeting people from other countries and cultures helps to broaden pupils' horizons by experiencing new and different languages and cultures. Learning the basics of a foreign language helps pupils to extend and develop their language and communication skills and can enhance self-esteem.

In particular, MFL offers people with learning difficulties opportunities to:

• become more aware of themselves as citizens of the world, as well as in their own immediate environment and society
  
  
• become more aware of language, sounds, smells, tastes, images and artefacts from other countries and cultures by working with materials from these countries
  
  
• become more familiar with the sounds of an MFL and use a range of methods which develop speaking and listening skills rather than relying on the written word
  
  
• meet people from other countries and communicate with them in their own language
  
  
• develop imitation skills and the motivation to produce sounds and an expressive language
  
  
• use ICT for direct electronic contact, e-mail or the internet so they can use a new language to communicate with the schools and people in other countries
  
  
• support their learning in other subjects, for example, English or geography
  
  
• develop listening, concentration and social skills through partnership and group work
  
  
• work in a range of contexts and topics adapted to suit individual interest and motivations.'

CURRICULUM ORGANISATION AT KEY STAGE 3 & 4

• French is taught at KS3 and KS4 and programmes of study are modified to ensure all pupils are given appropriately challenging work.
  
  
• Pupils with SLD have a discrete 45-minute MFL lesson each week. Pupils with PMLD have a discrete 45-minute lesson for the equivalent of one term in an academic year.
  
  
• Assessment is ongoing and related to planning. Pupils are assessed annually against the P scales (Appendix 1) and a summative statement forms part of the annual review report to parents.
  
  
• The emphasis in the MFL scheme of work at key stage 3 is on speaking and listening. The same scheme of work is repeated and reinforced at Key Stage 4 with an additional emphasis on reading and writing.