Modern Foreign Languages 11-16

Becoming a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) offers an exciting opportunity to open doors to new cultures and perspectives while nurturing students’ linguistic proficiency. In this role, you serve as a cultural ambassador, guiding students through the intricacies of language acquisition and fostering a deep appreciation for global diversity. Beyond teaching vocabulary and grammar, you cultivate communication skills, empathy, and intercultural understanding crucial for navigating our interconnected world. By creating an immersive and inclusive learning environment, you inspire curiosity and confidence in exploring unfamiliar languages and cultures. As an MFL teacher, you play a vital role in fostering global citizenship and preparing students to thrive in an increasingly multicultural society, making the journey both enriching and rewarding.

Being a teacher of MFL means you will support young people to: 

• understand other cultures better and develop a sense of empathy towards countries outside the UK;
• improve good oral and written communication and social skills;
• develop problem-solving skills to young people;
• share a knowledge of a language useful in the context of work and tourism;
• understand their own language better and develop their literacy levels;
• foster the development of confidence and curiosity to learn other languages later in life;
• develop a sense of autonomy, empowerment and well being.

What are the key concepts that underpin our approach to the teaching of MFL?

• Authenticity and culture in the MFL classroom
• The use of the target language
• Developing the learner’s spontaneity in the target language 
• Productive vs receptive skills: in what order and to what extent?
• The place of grammar in the MFL classroom
• Accuracy vs spontaneity
• Making MFL relevant today
• Making MFL accessible to all students

The subject specialist side of my training was fantastic. It was a great opportunity to delve deeper into the complex nature of language teaching and explore some of the key methodologies and debates in my subject.  Bouncing ideas around with my specialist and other Associate Teachers on the same course was hugely helpful.

This course is built on an extensive research base in teaching MFL and it is closely interwoven with our Central Curriculum Sessions as part of our overall Integrated Curriculum approach. Each year we review all aspects of our courses to ensure that they cover the most relevant components of the subject as well as introducing you to the most commonly taught ideas and concepts. Mentors and specialist teachers in our partnership schools also play a crucial role in reviewing the programme to ensure that it gives the very best preparation for becoming a great MFL teacher.

Our carefully designed curriculum is structured so that you will have approximately one Subject Curriculum Session a week across the 2024-25 academic year. Alongside this, subject specificity is carefully woven throughout all aspects of the course, including the ongoing assessment process and the optional PGCE assignments, so that all content is relevant to you and your teaching. Subject Curriculum Sessions will develop on the ideas and theory raised in your general Central Curriculum Sessions so that you have expert guidance on how best to deliver strategies and techniques in your specific subject area. 

Our MFL course prepares you to teach across the 11-16 age range, and you will be formally assessed in those key stages. In addition you will also have the opportunity to observe and teach KS5/ A level in at least one of your placements and your Subject Curriculum Sessions will include training that prepares you to teach KS5/ A level. You will train to teach in two languages from a choice of French, German and Spanish, but it is not unusual for Associate Teachers to have a stronger first language and have a second language that requires a bit more support and development. 

The links below will provide you with information about the curriculum and programmes of study for Key Stage 3 and 4 that schools are expected to deliver, these shape the content that your Subject Curriculum Sessions will cover, to ensure that you are able and confident to teach across the full range of topic areas included.

• MFL programmes of study KS3 national curriculum
• MFL GCSE (KS4) subject content

As well as introducing you to a wealth of relevant books, articles and research papers from our own resources and library, you will also have access to The Association for Language Learning, the leading professional body for MFL teachers. 

Membership will be set up and arranged for you at the start of the course and your Subject Specialist will guide you on how best to use the resources, professional learning community and events from the association to support your subject development and the lessons that you will prepare and deliver.