Making the case for languages : Making the case for languages
Slide2 : We need to ensure that our pupils see MFL as a vocational route not only as an academic one. Packed with work-related material, this OUP course puts language learning in a mature context which we know will engage the pupils and motivate them to continue.
An industrial and business need : An industrial and business need The increase in international contacts within our economy means that the need for language skills permeates all levels and is not confined to professional or managerial posts. Almost all of today’s school children will have some need to communicate internationally.
‘Employees with language skills are definitely more marketable and have more worth in the labour market’
Bob Shankley, HR Director, BMW
‘It is important that our employees are able to communicate in a variety of different languages to remain competitive in an international market’
Soraya Malik, Operational Training Manager, lastminute.com
The Olympic Games 2012 – symbol of a nation’s commitment to worldwide communication : The Olympic Games 2012 – symbol of a nation’s commitment to worldwide communication
In 2012, our country will be host to athletes and spectators from more than 220 countries. Language skills will be vital, not only in overcoming communication barriers which could undermine the efficient running of the Games. Language skills will benefit our country before, during and after the Games. They will play a large part in capturing the potential of the Games for business success in the future.
Slide5 :
Ten Good Reasons to Invest in a new French Course for Key Stage 3
Reason No. 1 To support revisions to the NC : Reason No. 1 To support revisions to the NC The revised programme of study offers us
the opportunity to refresh and renew our
programme of study, making it broader and
more relevant in ways that will inspire and
engage learners.
Some of the key themes that underpin the
revisions include:
Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: : Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: Building on prior learning
Our scheme of work has to increasingly take on board the widening range of ability and prior learning of pupils who have studied a language at KS2. We know that Clic will support us in these efforts.
Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: : Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: A renewed focus on linguistic competence
Our teaching should focus on developing pupils’ linguistic ability and confidence, increasing the range and complexity of language they are able to use and challenging them to apply their knowledge in different situations.
Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: : Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: Freedom to choose contexts for language learning
In the revised programme of study for MFL there are no specific requirements relating to contexts, purposes or topic areas. This allows us much greater flexibility to review our current resources in terms of developing pupils’ language skills rather than coverage of topics.
This means we have greater freedom to choose themes and topics that will be relevant and interesting to pupils, including current issues and debates, and to make links with other subjects. This is firmly supported by the materials we have seen in Clic! where relevance to young people and motivation of pupils is of paramount importance.
Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: : Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: A greater emphasis on intercultural
understanding
The revised programme of study encourages teachers to root language learning firmly in the cultural context of the target language.
Pupils can explore aspects such as school life, festivals, events of national importance, music, art and food. This allows for much greater use of up-to-date video clips and websites which are provided in Clic’s interactive resources.
Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: : Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: A greater emphasis on intercultural
understanding
The revised programme of study encourages teachers to root language learning firmly in the cultural context of the target language. Pupils can explore aspects such as school life, festivals, events of national importance, music, art and food. This allows for much greater use of up-to-date video clips and websites which are provided in Clic’s interactive resources.
Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: : Reason No.1 cont … Key Themes: Encouraging independence and creativity
The revised programme of study highlights the need for pupils to become more independent as learners and users of the target language. As teachers, we should provide plenty of opportunities for pupils to use their linguistic knowledge imaginatively in different contexts. New technologies offer many opportunities for pupils to learn independently and use language creatively.
Reason No.2: Support government’s National Strategy for Languages : Reason No.2: Support government’s National Strategy for Languages We are looking to support the government’s National Languages
Strategy, launched in 2002. By 2008, the Government will have
invested £137 million in languages teaching to:
Improve the teaching and learning of languages in schools, including making primary languages an entitlement for all pupils in KS2
Introduce and develop a national recognition system for languages (now known as the Languages Ladder and administered through OCR’s Asset Languages scheme)
Increase the number of students studying languages beyond school.
Reason No.2 cont … Support the government’s National Strategy for Languages : Reason No.2 cont … Support the government’s National Strategy for Languages
The KS3 Dissemination and Development programme for KS3 MFL was launched in the nine regions of England in January 2007. (Does your school fall into one of these areas?) This programme builds on progress already made in implementing the Key Stage 3 Framework of Objectives for modern foreign languages and forms part of the National Languages Strategy.
Reason No. 3 To sustain motivation throughout KS3 : Reason No. 3 To sustain motivation throughout KS3 We want to maintain our focus on ensuring that pupils’ experience of language learning at Key Stage 3 is a positive one.
This is particularly true of Year 9 where we have often experienced greater levels of dissatisfaction and demotivation. OUP’s Clic! will tackle many of the issues over engagement of our Year 9 pupils through motivating, exciting and challenging activities.
With two coursebooks – one which will challenge and stretch our gifted and talented pupils and one which will support and motivate our less able pupils, we know that Clic! has been appropriately differentiated for the entire ability range.
Reason no. 4 Improve standards at KS3 : Reason no. 4 Improve standards at KS3 National results prove that MFL is always struggling to keep up with other subjects, due without doubt to our late start! The table shows figures for 2007 show the percentage of pupils achieving level 5 or above
Although the MFL figure has been steadily rising year on year since 2002, we know we can do even better in this school through resources which are targeted more specifically at our pupils’ needs
Reason No. 5 To achieve better grades at KS4 : Reason No. 5 To achieve better grades at KS4 MFL are generally perceived as difficult by many pupils and they often choose other subjects where they think they will get a better grade. We know that this course provides a solid foundation for GCSE preparation and will inspire and enthuse our pupils to feel motivated to achieve success at 14+.
Reason No.6 Invest in resources to suit a widening ability range of post-primary learners : Reason No.6 Invest in resources to suit a widening ability range of post-primary learners By 2010, it is the government’s objective that all 7-11 year-olds will learn a language in school. These children will enter secondary school with language learning skills on which we can build, and they will be motivated to continue their enjoyment of languages.
Already, schools are experiencing a widening ability range for learners entering the MFL department in year 7. Oxford’s Clic course is the only course with a robust differentiated year 7 course which caters for all these pupils’ needs. It even provides a comprehensive audit of learners’ prior experience and learning which helps us put them in the right learning group right from the start.
Reason no.7 Maximise the potential for ICT at KS3 : Reason no.7 Maximise the potential for ICT at KS3 Whilst there are many published resources which make use of ICT to practise languages there are very few that provide a totally integrated resource to present, practise and develop accurate use of language.
Clic’s software not only contains ready made resources, planning and assessment, it also allows us to import and create our own resources, planning and assessment. This makes it much easier for the department to make extensive and effective use of the interactive whiteboards we have invested in, in the department.
Reason no.8 Motivate all pupils – boys as well as girls : Reason no.8 Motivate all pupils – boys as well as girls
Recent research has shown that boys are clearly more in favour of kinesthetic lessons with visual methods, for example, watching videos and reading cartoons whilst girls are far more tolerant of all methodologies. Boys generally want active, challenging, risk-taking lessons that provide instant reward, whereas the girls were happy to complete worksheets, and follow more ‘traditional’ teaching methods.
Reason No 8 Motivate all pupils cont … : Reason No 8 Motivate all pupils cont … Boys also benefit from:
Clear guidelines - telling pupils in each lesson what they are going to learn and why.
Reflection at the end of the lesson on what has been learned, sometimes in pairs with peers.
Time guidance, for example by using phrases such as: 'By the end of the lesson, we will be able to...'; 'In two weeks' time, we will be able to...'
This is firmly supported through the presentation of content and delivery of activities in Clic.
Reason No. 9 Support the delivery of Asset Languages : Reason No. 9 Support the delivery of Asset Languages
Since we have chosen to adopt Asset Languages, we have been looking for a resource that supports this scheme - and Oxford’s Clic ties in perfectly. The accompanying CD-ROMs even generate Asset-style tests which saves us valuable planning time and money.
Reason No. 10 Why invest in MFL rather than any other subject? : Reason No. 10 Why invest in MFL rather than any other subject?
MFL is one of the most resource-‘hungry’ subjects. A MFL teacher is far more likely to invest in a published resource than in any other subject area. Multi-skill learning, the need for native-speakers to model the language and a requirement to immerse pupils in the culture of the target language all require multi-component resources, both multimedia and print.