At St Francis Xavier’s, we believe that learning a language is much more than learning words. It opens a window to other cultures, broadens children’s understanding of the world and gives them the confidence and skills to communicate with others. In our diverse school community, we place great value on developing children’s cultural awareness, curiosity and cultural capital, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

Building Language Skills

We begin our formal language teaching in Key Stage 2, with children learning French from Year 3 to Year 6. We follow the Language Angels scheme, which provides a clear and systematic approach to language learning. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build knowledge and confidence over time, with a wide range of engaging activities that make learning French engaging, purposeful and memorable.

In Key Stage 1, children are gently introduced to French through songs, poems and rhymes, helping them to develop an enjoyment of language before beginning their formal language journey in Year 3. Our previous German Club for Year 2 was also a fantastic opportunity for children to experience another language and develop their confidence and enthusiasm for language learning.

Celebrating Language and Culture

We believe that language learning should extend beyond the classroom. Our whole-school French Day is a particular highlight of the school year, providing a wonderful opportunity for children to celebrate their learning through language, culture, food, music, art and activities. It is a joyful celebration of our children’s achievements and their growing understanding of the wider world.

Our MFL provision is led by Miss E Smail, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, who is passionate about developing children’s confidence, curiosity and appreciation of different languages and cultures.

 

Whole School French Day:

Our Whole-School French Day took place on Bastille Day and this year, the focus was on the French Revolution.

The day began with a whole-school assembly, where the story of the French Revolution was brought to life through storytelling, acting and use of symbolic objects. Each year group then took part in a creative activity linked to the theme. Children recreated Marie Antoinette’s iconic wigs, prepared and performed ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’ from Les Misérables, tasted macarons and wrote poems describing the taste, designed and created Marie Antoinette-inspired fans, performed a script as Marie Antoinette and her friends, and even wrote a secret letter from King Louis XVI revealing his plans to escape France!

We ended the day by coming back together as a whole school to share and celebrate what we had learned and created. It was a fantastic day of creativity, collaboration and language learning.

    

               

            

German Club

To prepare them for language learning in Key Stage 2, our Year 2 children enjoyed a German Club last year. They learned key words and phrases while also discovering more about German traditions and culture.

Through a range of fun, hands-on and exploratory activities, the children had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the German language and culture. From creating traditional German gingerbread, dressing in lederhosen and playing the Chocolate Game, the children had great fun while developing their language skills and cultural understanding.

       

Celebrating Languages Through Books

At St Francis Xavier’s, we celebrate the many languages and cultures represented in our school community. We have developed a growing collection of multilingual and bilingual books in our library and classrooms, alongside a dedicated MFL section.

These books act as both ‘mirrors’ and ‘windows’ – helping children see their own language and culture represented, while introducing them to new languages and ways of life.

They are also a fun way to learn new vocabulary, explore pronunciation and make links between languages. We especially love seeing children discover a book written in a language they speak at home!

Our collection includes books in French, Polish, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Kurdish, Malayalam and many more. Every language has a place in our library!