At Mougins School, situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Côte d'Azur, students benefit from a British education enriched by the opportunity to learn French. While French is not the primary language of instruction, it plays a significant role in the curriculum, particularly in the Primary School, where students are introduced to the language and culture of the country in which they live. With French lessons each week, Mougins School ensures that students build a solid foundation in the language, preparing them for future learning and real-life interactions.

Tailored Learning for All Levels

At Mougins School, we offer a tailored programme designed to accommodate the diverse language needs of our students. Each Key Stage features different ability groups, ensuring that instruction is tailored to each child's unique progression. Within a single class, these groups allow for focused teaching that caters to varying levels of proficiency. For younger learners, activities are designed to be playful and age-appropriate, while more advanced students engage with complex topics to deepen their understanding. This structured approach ensures that every child receives the support they need to flourish and evolve at their own pace.

Early Years and Key Stage 1: First Steps in French

French education at Mougins School begins in Nursery & Reception (ages 3-5), where young learners are introduced to basic vocabulary and everyday expressions in a fun and engaging way. Through songs, stories, and interactive activities, students of our LaunchPad learn greetings, colours, numbers, and simple phrases that are part of everyday life in France. The focus in these early years is to spark interest in the language and create a positive association with learning French.

As students move into Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), they continue to build on this early foundation. Lessons remain playful and interactive, with an emphasis on listening and speaking. The curriculum introduces simple sentence structures, and students begin to recognize familiar words in written form. At this stage, French lessons are designed to capture children’s natural curiosity, helping them gradually become more comfortable with basic communication in the language.

Key Stage 2: Expanding Language Skills

In Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6), students start to develop more structured language skills. These lessons are focused on helping students acquire practical communication skills and a broader understanding of French culture. The curriculum is aligned with the British system but takes full advantage of the school's location in France to give students a meaningful context for their language learning.

In Years 3 and 4, students expand their vocabulary and start forming questions and answers. Lessons often revolve around everyday topics, such as family, hobbies, school life, and the local environment, helping students apply the language in practical situations. The teaching methods are dynamic, using games, role-play, and creative projects to make the learning process engaging and enjoyable.

By Years 5 and 6, students are introduced to more formal aspects of the language, including grammar and verb conjugation in the present tense. They also begin to write paragraphs, practising how to describe people, places, and activities in French. While the focus remains on speaking and listening, reading and writing are increasingly incorporated into lessons to prepare students for more advanced learning in Secondary School.

Immersive Learning in a French Environment

One of the key advantages of learning French at Mougins School is the school's unique location in France. They are immersed in a French-speaking environment outside the classroom. This means they have regular opportunities to hear and practise the language in real-life settings with their friends.

It's also important to highlight that the family surrounding the children can significantly motivate them in their learning. When the family shows an interest in language learning, it can be very encouraging for the kids.

Preparing for Future Learning

The approach at Mougins School is not about achieving fluency at an early age but about creating a strong base of understanding and comfort with the French language. This foundation gives students the confidence to continue developing their language skills as they move into more advanced stages of education, where French will become a more formal subject of study.

At Mougins School, learning French in the Primary years is an essential part of the curriculum, helping students navigate their surroundings and appreciate the culture of the country in which they live. To support students who wish to enhance their language skills further, complementary lessons with trusted partner Riviera Kids offer personalised assistance. Students leave Primary School with a solid grounding in French, ready to continue their language journey in Secondary School and beyond.