SGOIL LIONAIL
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
Department of Education 

MODERN LANGUAGES POLICY 

Introduction     French is a modern language which may also be an essential skill for the workplace. Communicating with others becomes ever more important in a world where global trade, business, travel, and ICT are part of everyday life. In the world of international trade and business, young people in Scotland must be equipped with the skills that will allow them to take advantage of the opportunities that exist for those with sound language abilities. For some, as they progress beyond 5-14, the purposes of foreign language learning may take on an increasingly vocational perspective.  French is structured by referring to the four outcomes of language - listening, speaking, reading and writing - and the purposes for which they are normally used
 

Aims                Aims of Lionel School are subsumed in the Modern Languages policy, for example to:

Provide a coherent, relevant, broad-based, balanced, differentiated multi-lingual curriculum, giving full consideration to national and local Modern Languages guidelines.  The various elements of the courses are planned and taught in an appropriate sequence to meet the range of needs, abilities and aspirations of pupils, and to promote progression and continuity in pupils’ learning.  Productive links are made with other curriculum areas or subjects eg ICT.

Provide a learning environment which is stimulating and challenging, where teaching plans provide concise and clear specifications of what pupils are expected to learn, how and when learning is to be undertaken, and where learning outcomes and assessment strategies are clearly stated.

Objectives        The French policy reflects ambitious, excellent local and national priorities for improvement, shows consistency with education authority aims, and focuses on improving standards of attainment and the quality of pupils’ learning experiences, as follows:

Inclusion          All pupils are entitled to a range of learning experiences in French.  When setting work to pupils with special needs, we refer to those pupils’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs).  We value and celebrate the diversity of our pupils and their families, and we appreciate the enrichment that this brings.
 

Attainment targets and strands       French components are described in terms of attainment targets:

Listening - covering the strands knowing about language,  listening for information and instructions, listening and reacting to others and listening for enjoyment.

Speaking - covering the strands knowing about language, speaking to convey information,  speaking and interacting with others and speaking about experiences, feelings and opinions.

Reading - covering the strands knowing about language, reading for information and instructions, reading aloud and reading for enjoyment.
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Writing - covering the strands knowing about language, writing to exchange information and ideas, writing to establish and maintain personal contact and writing imaginatively to entertain.
 

Learning and Teaching           The learning and teaching approaches used within Lionel School, together with coordinated planning, should enable pupils to study and understand the attainment outcomes and targets outlined within French, as follows:

Homework       The establishment of good study habits at an early age will contribute greatly towards the future educational success of pupils.  The most important support any parent can give to a student is to show a caring interest in the work done at home - provided the homework is not actually completed by the parent, the sharing of work can only be beneficial.  The school’s homework policy is complemented by advice from parentzonescotland.
 

Handbook       The French Handbook contains detailed information about the work of the department.
 

Review            This policy was prepared in 2005 and will be reviewed in 2008.

Ag Amas Air Adhartas – Aiming for Advancement