At Totternhoe CE Academy we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop communication skills, including the key skills of speaking and listening, and extends their knowledge of how language works. Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others.

At Totternhoe, currently, we provide learning opportunities for all children in Years 3 – 5. The focus language taught in our school is French.

Totternhoe CE Academy aims to provide children with opportunities to speak in their family language, to share their knowledge of the customs, heritage and culture of their family language, in EYFS and throughout the school.

We believe that it is vital for all children to develop their understanding and knowledge of the wider world and to become more aware of the diversity of cultures that makes up our modern society.

Our MFL curriculum aims to:

• deliver high quality MFL teaching, so that our pupils develop enjoyment, confidence and accuracy of pronunciation in speaking French;
• begin to prepare pupils for developing skills at a higher level in a MFL, to prepare them for a future in the workplace, at home or in other countries.
• provide a flexible, progressive curriculum, that meets the NC14 requirements in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and intercultural understanding, that enables children of all abilities to be challenged and make progress.

"I think it's hugely important to be able to speak another language. It unlocks areas of the world you may have never seen yourself before and gives you the chance to meet and learn from people across the globe." - Andrew Muir, Animator