Languages programmes of study - key stage 2 - National curriculum in England - Purpose of study, aims and subject content

Oct 20, 2026

National curriculum guidance for languages at key stage 2 in England sets out the purpose, aims, attainment targets, and subject content for teaching modern or ancient foreign languages. It emphasizes developing pupils’ curiosity, enabling communication in speech and writing, and supporting progression to further language learning. The document specifies expectations across listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary growth, pronunciation, and basic grammar, alongside guidance for ancient-language study.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose of study

Aims

Attainment targets

Subject content

Key stage 2: Foreign language

Teaching focus for modern and ancient languages

Languages programmes of study: key stage 2 National curriculum in England Purpose of study Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries. Aims The national curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all pupils: 􀂃 understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources 􀂃 speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation 􀂃 can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt 􀂃 discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied. Attainment targets By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study. Schools are not required by law to teach the example content in [square brackets] . Subject content Key stage 2: Foreign language Teaching may be of any modern or ancient foreign language and should focus on enabling pupils to make substantial progress in one language. The teaching should provide an appropriate balance of spoken and written language and should lay the foundations for further foreign language teaching at key stage 3. It should enable pupils to understand and communicate ideas, facts and feelings in speech and writing, focused on familiar and routine matters, using their knowledge of phonology, grammatical structures and vocabulary. The focus of study in modern languages will be on practical communication. If an ancient language is chosen the focus will be to provide a linguistic foundation for reading comprehension and an appreciation of classical civilisation. Pupils studying ancient languages may take part in simple oral exchanges, while discussion of what they read will be conducted in English. A linguistic foundation in ancient languages may support the study of modern languages at key stage 3. Pupils should be taught to: 􀂃 listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding 􀂃 explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words 􀂃 engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help* 􀂃 speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures 􀂃 develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases* 􀂃 present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences* 􀂃 read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing 􀂃 appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language 􀂃 broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary 􀂃 write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly 􀂃 describe people, places, things and actions orally* and in writing 􀂃 understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including (where relevant):

FAQs

What is the purpose of teaching languages at key stage 2?

To develop pupils’ curiosity about other cultures, deepen understanding of the world, and enable them to express ideas and respond to speakers in speech and writing.

What learning aims must the national curriculum ensure for all pupils?

Pupils should understand and respond to spoken and written language, speak with increasing confidence and accuracy, write for different purposes and audiences, and develop an appreciation of the writing in the studied language.

What subject content areas are pupils taught in key stage 2 foreign language?

They are taught to listen and respond, explore patterns and sounds, engage in conversations, speak in sentences, develop pronunciation and intonation, present information, read for understanding, build vocabulary, and write adapted sentences and descriptions, including basic grammar.

Oct 20, 2026

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