"To have another language is to possess a second soul." – Charlemagne

At Milton Abbot School, our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum aims to inspire a love of languages and an appreciation of different cultures. Learning a foreign language provides children with an opportunity to broaden their horizons, develop confidence in communication and gain a deeper understanding of the wider world.

Through engaging and interactive lessons, pupils develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. They learn new vocabulary, explore patterns within language and discover how languages connect people and cultures across the globe. We encourage children to become confident language learners who are willing to practise, make mistakes and communicate with increasing accuracy and fluency.

Our curriculum helps children to:

• Develop confidence in speaking and understanding a foreign language.
• Build vocabulary and accurate pronunciation.
• Understand simple written and spoken texts.
• Develop reading and writing skills in another language.
• Recognise similarities and differences between languages.
• Gain an appreciation of different cultures and traditions.
• Foster curiosity about the wider world.

Our school values are at the heart of Modern Foreign Languages:

Mindfulness

Learning another language helps children develop an appreciation and respect for different cultures, traditions and ways of life. Pupils learn to listen carefully, communicate thoughtfully and understand that people across the world may express themselves in different ways. This helps foster empathy, open-mindedness and respect for others.

Ambition

Children are encouraged to challenge themselves as language learners. Learning a new language can be exciting and demanding, requiring children to remember new vocabulary, master pronunciation and build confidence in speaking. We inspire pupils to aim high and embrace new opportunities to communicate and connect with the wider world.

Perseverance

Language learning requires regular practice, determination and resilience. Children learn that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and that confidence develops over time. Through repetition, rehearsal and active participation, pupils build the perseverance needed to develop fluency and accuracy.

Success

Every child experiences success as they acquire new language skills and gain confidence in communicating with others. Whether learning a new phrase, holding a simple conversation or understanding a written text, pupils are encouraged to celebrate their progress and take pride in their achievements.

Our MFL curriculum develops not only linguistic skills but also communication, memory, problem-solving and cultural awareness. Through songs, games, stories, conversation and practical activities, children develop enthusiasm for language learning in a supportive and engaging environment.

By the time they leave Milton Abbot School, our children will be confident, curious and enthusiastic language learners. They will have developed the knowledge, skills and cultural understanding needed to communicate in another language and appreciate the richness and diversity of the wider world, demonstrating Mindfulness, Ambition, Perseverance and Success in all that they do.