Learning a new language encourages children and young people to broaden their horizons as they explore the language and its associated culture.

Through  learning of a new language pupils:

• gain a deeper understanding of their first language and appreciate the richness and interconnected nature of languages
• enhance their understanding and enjoyment of their own and other cultures and gain insights into other ways of thinking and other views of the world
• develop skills that they can use and enjoy in work and leisure throughout  life.

The study of language plays an important role in all language learning and the development of literacy skills.

Pupils develop and extend literacy skills when they have opportunities to:

• communicate, collaborate and build relationships
• reflect on and explain literacy and thinking skills, using feedback to help them improve and sensitively provide useful feedback for others
• engage with and create a wide range of texts in different media, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by ICT
• develop an understanding of what is special, vibrant and valuable about their own and other cultures and their languages
• explore the richness and diversity of language, how it can affect them and the wide range of ways in which they can be creative
• extend and enrich vocabulary through listening, talking, watching and reading.

Many teachers at St. Stephen’s are fully-trained in the delivery of French as a modern language and will develop a wide range of lessons to help pupils become:

·    successful learners, who can reflect on how they have acquired and learned their first language and how this can assist them in further language learning
·    confident individuals, who, through experiencing success and support, can interact with others in real-life situations, talk about topics of personal interest and deliver presentations in their new language
·    effective contributors, who can work in individual, paired and group situations, and establish and maintain contact with other speakers of the target language
·    responsible citizens, who have a growing awareness of life in another society and of the issues facing citizens in the countries where their new language is spoken.