1_Why Foreign Language is taught in Primary Schools

1_Why Foreign Language is taught in Primary Schools

1. Key stage 1

   • Not compulsory in maintained schools at this level
   • Some early year's settings teach a foreign language

2. Key stage 2

   • Compulsory in all maintained schools
     • Lays foundations for foreign language at key stage 3
       • Develops children's cultural awareness and their understanding of themselves as Europeans
   • English as an Additional Language pupils must be taught a foreign language
   • 25% primary schools does not have foreign language expertise (TES 2014)
   • Does not cater for children with broader educational needs, e.g. SEND, high achievers

3. Department for Education

   • Published statutory guidance on National Curriculum in England for MFL key stages 1 - 4
     • Substantial progress in one language over the 4 years of key stage 2
     • Guidelines does not take into account any foreign language spoken within own culture
   • No stipulated number of foreign language teaching hours per week
     • An appropriate balance of spoken and written language be provided
   • Stipulates that either French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin or Ancient Greek be taught
     • Schools should be able to choose a foreign language based on the demand of the local community
     • Most requirements for spoken language do not apply to Latin or Ancient Greek
       • A lot of the English language is derived from Latin
         • Latin is used by many professions, e.g. scientists, medical personal, legal representatives

4. Progression from key stage 2 to key stage 3

   • Many feeder schools do not study the same language at key stage 2 as being taught at key stage 3
     • Article: Pupils will be forced to drop their foreign language studies once they reach secondary school. (www.independent.co.uk 25.03.2014)

5. Does not require a high level of linguistic knowledge

   • Can be learnt through familiar and constant repetition

6. Ofsted (December 2013)

   • Overall effectiveness of modern languages education being provided in schools
   • Achievement of pupils in modern language
   • Quality of teaching in modern languages
   • Quality of the curriculum in modern languages
   • Quality of leadership in, and management of, modern languages