HGfL: Teaching & Learning: Modern Foreign Languages: News, Meetings & Conferences

A whole range of websites and resources, specially created for use in the MFL classroom. Some are ideas-based and others offer excellent resources that you can simply download and use. More...

Christmas Resources for Primary Languages - December 2011

Nativity plays and other christmas games, activities and resources to support primary teachers in celebrating christmas in french and spanish. More...

Jackie Rayment – MFL Adviser for Hertfordshire refers to the On Track Resource Pack that combines French language learning at all levels with sports-related activities. She provides a brief introduction to this resource which has been inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

"Whatever your age, active language learning is fun and improves retention and recall. Linked by a common sporting theme, the games and activities will engage and motivate language learners by providing physical and mental challenge as they hear and speak French and explore aspects of different cultures.

"As well as enhancing language skills, the activities are intended to promote the sporting values of teamwork, perseverance, self-confidence and inter-personal skills, in addition to global citizenship. The activities can be adapted to focus on different areas of language at varying levels of complexity and could be conducted in languages other than French. Whilst these kinaesthetic activities are suitable for all ages and abilities, some of the more challenging differentiated and Going for Gold ideas are more suitable for upper Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.

"A free CD accompanies the book of activities with a pronunciation guide for non-specialists and a wealth of resources to support the activities, many of which could be led by language or sports leaders working with younger pupils."

‘Sport can offer a really motivating focus for language work and there are examples of good practice where this has occurred effectively.’

Strategic Learning Networks

A Strategic Learning Network is a MFL research community comprising a lively, enthusiastic and dedicated team of MFL teachers who are all at different stages of their careers. This group engenders research and shares good practice. It also provides a vehicle for teachers to review and reflect upon their own classroom practice. More...

News from ALL and CILT

KS1 & KS2

Spring Term 2012

Hertfordshire Statement on the Position of Primary Languages – September 2010

There has been some recent press speculation over both the current and the future situation of primary languages following the decision not to proceed with the new primary curriculum, based on the Rose review. In the light of this, we thought it would be useful to share the following two most recently published communications:

Message from the National Director for Languages, Lid King – 1st September 2010

The current situation (of primary languages) is that while the proposals for the new primary curriculum based on the Rose review (including the proposals on languages) will not now be implemented, nevertheless –

- The entitlement for all children in Key Stage 2 to learn a language remains in place
- The Key Stage 2 Framework for languages is still available to be used as a national point of
reference
- OFSTED will continue to report on primary languages
- Earmarked funding to support primary languages is maintained until March 2011.

Longer term the position of primary languages will depend on the review of the curriculum, which has just begun, but there is good reason to suppose that Ministers will favour the inclusion of languages in Key Stage 2 … I think that we should therefore do everything possible to build on the successes of the past few years and to maintain momentum both locally and nationally in making further progress, in particular on progression, transition and language upskilling (i.e. enhanced subject knowledge for primary staff teaching languages) … Longer term funding will depend on the spending review which is taking place in the autumn. This was, however, always the case and it would be premature to assume that there will be no more support for languages in Key Stage 2.

The Government is considering its plans for the National Curriculum in schools. They believe that the current National Curriculum has moved far away from the concept of core knowledge and from its original purpose – to set out what all children should be taught in each subject. They therefore want to return it to its intended purpose as a core national entitlement organised around subject disciplines. In doing so, they aim to slim the National Curriculum to give schools greater freedom to build on that core entitlement to provide a rich educational experience for all their pupils, and to allow teachers to use their professional judgement to decide how to teach and to organise the curriculum. They plan to consult a wide range of academics, teachers and other interested parties to ensure that the core curriculum can compare with those of the highest performing countries in the world. They will be announcing details of that review in the autumn. The position of languages in both the primary and secondary National Curriculum will be considered as part of that Review.

The Government believes that language skills are important to the social and economic future of the country. Learning a language also helps children and young people understand the world in which they live and the different cultures of people around the world. We know that over 90% of primary schools are already offering some language teaching to their 7-11 year olds. Ministers appreciate the efforts that teachers are putting into making sure that children in primary schools are taught languages. It is thanks to their work that pupils can not only learn a language but also come to appreciate other cultures. Given its importance, primary schools that are teaching languages should continue to do so. Funding has been given to local authorities to support primary languages until March 2011. Any future funding will depend on the spending review which will report in the autumn, as well as on decisions about the status of languages within the National Curriculum.

The key message here, then, is that the Key Stage 2 languages entitlement remains in place for all pupils and schools should continue to develop their capacity to deliver a high quality language learning experience for all their pupils. While we wait to learn the outcomes of the spending and curriculum reviews, I would echo Lid King’s message that we maintain momentum in building upon the really exciting and successful developments that have taken place in primary languages in Hertfordshire schools over the last few years.

If you would like any further clarification or support in developing your primary languages provision, please do not hesitate to contact MFL adviser (primary focus), Jackie Rayment on email: jackie.rayment@hertscc.gov.uk

Modern Foreign Language Learning at KS2 and KS3

Strengthening Links between KS2 and KS3 - Language Leaders at Roundwood Park School run Primary Languages Fair New

Roundwood Park School in Harpenden ran their first Primary Languages Fair in July, inviting 120 pupils from nearby primary schools to take part in a series of language and culture-based activities.

Preparations for this day were a little different to usual, as the organisation of the fair was the responsibility of the Language Leaders Team, which is made up of 12 students from Yrs 9 and 10.

Throughout the morning the Yr 5 pupils made their own baguettes, played language games, learned origami, danced the salsa and practised a German song. The pupils enjoyed a break in the French café, where they had the opportunity to order their croissants or brioche in French and listen to a very talented Yr 8 pianist.

The Language Leaders Team is Roundwood Park’s second cohort of students who, as part of their course, have successfully supported Modern Foreign Language (MFL) learning in the nearby primary schools. The Language Leader Award, accredited by Sports Leaders UK, aims to develop leadership skills in students through MFL and leaders are trained through a series of workshops and MFL learning events. It is a perfect way to strengthen links between KS2 & KS3 MFL, whilst improving the leadership skills of the school’s own students.

The school has seen a sustained impact on National Curriculum levels achieved in French at entry into Year 7 over the past three years, due in part to the MFL department’s commitment to supporting primary teachers with schemes of work, resources and lesson delivery. Year upon year, the students are arriving in Year 7 with higher levels of competence in French.

Feedback from the primary teachers suggests that KS2 pupils respond very well to MFL lessons delivered by the Language Leader team, which are very much in demand.

For further information about setting up a Language Leaders course, PMFL support or further detail on outcomes, please contact Laura Davies daviesl@roundwoodpark.herts.sch.uk

KS3

Medals for learning - Re engaging hard to reach pupils in language learning New

The Leventhorpe School and The John Warner School case study. The aim of this exciting project, funded by ALL and Links into Languages, was to develop pupils’ target language and communication skills in a P.E environment to improve confidence in speaking and listening.

New PE/MFL resources

Using the medium of PE to teach MFL produced by Sara L'Efquihi, Francis Bacon School

KS4-5

AS German Resources

AS French Practice Booklet and other resources

Compiled by Jon Meier at Verulum school, the AS French Practice booklet contains 18 pages of resources and activities which can be done in or outside the classroom, or when schools are closed.

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