The Status of MFL in Primary Schools & Getting to Grips

with the Oracy Strand

Session One, Tuesday 8th March 2011

Session objectives

By the end of the session you will have

considered reasons for teaching MFL to primary pupils

become more familiar with the Oracy objectives in the KS2 Framework for languages

understood some of the pedagogy underpinning teaching speaking & listening skills

know a range of activities which can be used to teach children Oracy skills.

QTS standards

In this session you will be working towards the following standards

Q4 Communicate effectively with children, young people, colleagues, parents & carers.Q10 Have a knowledge & understanding of a range of teaching learning & behaviour management strategies & know how to use & adapt them, including how to personalise learning & provide opportunities for all learners to achieve their potential.

Standards cont...

Q14 Have a secure knowledge & understanding of your subjects/curriculum areas & related pedagogy to enable you to teach effectively...Q15 To know and understand the relevant statutory & non-statutory curricula & frameworks... and other relevant initiatives applicable...

Language-learning objectives

O4.2 Listen for specific words & phrases.

O 4 .4 Ask & answer questions on several topics.

WALTunderstand, pronounce & recall the names of 5 family members in French.

WILFYou can respond to hearing new vocabulary, with an appropriate action.You can introduce family members by names in a short role play.

Why are we here?

‘Every child should have the opportunity throughout KS2 to study a foreign language & develop their interest in the culture of other nations. ....By age 11 they should have the opportunity to reach a recognised level of competence … and for that achievement to recognised through a national scheme.... The KS2 language learning programme must … be delivered at least in part in class time.’DfES 2002

The current situation

‘The position of languages in both the primary & secondary curriculum will be considered as part of the Government’s curriculum review. We will not know until the middle of 2012 what the future status of languages will be. The current National Curriculum for modern foreign languages, where they are statutory at key stage 3 but not at key stage 2, will remain in force until 2014. The Government continues to believe that language skills are important to the social and economic future of the country. Given its importance, primary schools that are teaching languages should continue to do so.

Why are we here?

Five areas of teaching & learning

Oracy

Literacy

Intercultural understanding

Knowledge about language

Language learning strategies

What is Oracy?

Group activities.

Absorbing

‘education of the ear’ (Hawkins, 1987,1996)

‘the silent period’ (Krashen, 1984)

What can the children do during this period?

Many children will be eager to saythe new words too, but there will be some who will first benefit from a safe environment, where they do not have to speak the new language, until they are ready.(Martin, 2008)

Absorbing cont...

La famille ours

Repetition

Why is it important for children to repeat new vocabulary?

Should they see the words written down?

Why is it a good idea to get the children to repeat in different voices, using gesture, boys v girls etc?

Repetition cont...

‘The vital first time a learner encounters the new language must be memorable in order for the new language to stick.Learners need to hear & repeat the language many times if they are to internalise it & produce it independently. The art of repetition is to devise many different ways of letting children hear/say the same thing: good repetition activities should make children want to participate. Invite children to repeat as a class through teacher-led activities, then encourage groups...& last of all individuals.’ (Martin, 2008)

Montrez-moi

Je vais vous raconter une histoire

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/languages/Goldilocks/French/Northumberland%20NGfL%20Boucle%20d'Or%20v2.html

Questions &answers

Graded questions

Open questions

‘Open questions can form part of games.’ (Martin, 2008)

Pair & individual work

Why is pair work important?

How can puppets & soft toys help?

‘the affective filter’ (Krashen, 1984)

Plenary

Find a partner &...

Think about how this lecture has helped you towards gaining one of the QTS standards.

Record an activity you could incorporate into an MFL lesson.

Make sure you make a note of this for yourself too !