Modern Foreign Languages

“Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world in which we live. Pupils learn to appreciate different countries, cultures, communities and people. By making comparisons, they gain insight into their own culture and society.”

National Curriculum, QCA, 2009

The statement invites us to reconsider what constitutes MFL and how it could be taught through many cross curricular links e.g. Topic, Theme days, RE, History, Geography, English, Maths, Life Skills etc.

Our current vision is to look at how MFL can be taught and encouraged in each curriculum pathway-Semi-formal, Formal and Nurture.

Recent evidence (e.g. Davis and Florian, 2004) suggests that much of what has traditionally been seen as pedagogy for pupils with SEND consists of approaches used in ‘ordinary’ teaching and even when teaching approaches may look very different e.g. working with pupils with complex needs, Teachers need to consider their practice. The use of multi-sensory approaches, ICT and Themed topics can all contribute.

The Beaucroft MFL Policy sets out the School’s aims, principles and strategies for the delivery of MFL over the next 3 years;

All Pupils between and including Year 3 and Year 11 who are following our semi-formal or formal curriculum and are working at National Curriculum Level 1/Entry Level 1 in English, will have MFL included in their curriculum.

Pupils on our nurture curriculum who are working at National Curriculum Level 1/Entry Level 1 or above in English, will be assessed on an individual basis. Individual assessments will be kept in the subject leader folder for each pupil working at National Curriculum Level 1/Entry Level 1 or above in English who are not taking part in MFL. Individual assessments will clarify why this discussion has been made.

Seniors and Post-16 will also offer MFL as an option for pupils of all abilities who have an interest in language.