'Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.'- Flora Lewis
What makes a good linguist?
We believe that learning should nurture a confidence to speak with good intonation and pronunciation. Build on Fluency in reading; fluency and imagination in writing and a strong awareness of the culture of the countries where the language is spoken. Our teachers have a passion for languages and a commitment to the subject. Our lessons equip children with the ability to use language creatively and spontaneously. By year six we aim for our children to aquire an independence in their studies and the ability to draw upon a wide range of resources.
If you require any further information or paper copies, please contact Mr King, our Modern Foreign Languages Lead via the school office on 01925 266764 or email office@appletonthorn.tcat.uk.com
Progression of language skills
Progression map French - this is our previous skills map, we are currently producing an updated version to align with our new curriculum design for French.
Learn more about how we teach French here:
Our French 'One Page Wonder'
Inspirational person - We can look to Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman hails from a Jewish family and is fluent in both English and Hebrew, but these aren’t the only languages she speaks. She became passionate about foreign languages at an early age and became conversational in French, Japanese, German, and Arabic.
Portman continued to grow her multilingual talents as an adult and decided to learn Spanish while starring in Goya’s Ghosts. The Black Swan star told America Reads Spanish that she considers Spanish as “one of the languages most useful in the world”.
The Oscar-winning actress also discussed her love for languages during this interview and said that she studied so many because the process of learning new things brings her joy.
“I didn’t do it for my career as is not required of an actress at all… Learning gives you an open mind. Knowing languages is a tool that helps in some situations where all you do is just, you don’t even think about it, you just keep moving forward,” explained Portman