1. MFL in secondary schools: challenges and opportunities
Ian Hill
Her Majesty’s Inspector
Specialist Adviser for Modern Foreign Languages, Ofsted
Session 3 ‘MFL in secondary schools: challenges and opportunities’ (Ian Hill)
Ian Hill HMI, the present senior HMI for MFL for England, drawing upon the findings of inspections, sets out the challenges and opportunities facing the teaching and learning of MFL in secondary schools in England.
9 January 2005

2. Challenges and opportunities for MFL
Implementing primary MFL entitlement
Improving provision and standards in KS3
Raising boys’ achievement
Implementing KS4 MFL entitlement

3. Implementing PMFL
For all KS2 pupils by 2010
19 Pathfinder LEAs: good start
Curriculum: MFL KS2 Framework
Staffing
Assessment
Continuity and progression

4. Improving provision and standards in KS3
Teaching is good in 60% of schools
Lower than in other subjects
10% improvement over last 6 years
Slower than in other subjects (core 18%, all 16%)
Pupils’ achievement good in 45% of schools
Less than in other subjects
Slow improvement: MFL 15%, core 23%, all 22%

5. Positive impact of KS3 strategy and MFL Framework
More good teaching in Y7 and Y8
Pupils react positively
Pupils’ understanding of language is better
Writing is longer and more accurate

6. But….
Still too much unnecessary English
Listening and speaking sometimes neglected
Narrow range of reading texts and tasks
Not all schools use the Framework

7. Raising boys’ achievement
Boys do not well enough in MFL
15% gap between boys and girls at GCSE A*-C
Gap already there at end of KS3
Few schools plan to address this issue

8. Successful departments provide
Systematic teaching of grammar
Tasks which enable pupils to think about language, use it creatively and for a purpose
Regular formative feedback and encouragement
Analysis of performance data
Visits and exchanges

9. Implementing KS4 MFL entitlement
In 2004, fall in entries for GCSE French (5.6%) and German (3.9%) but Spanish up 3.9%
Significant decline in numbers of pupils studying MFL in Y10 and Y1
MFL at risk of becoming elitist subject
Importance of effective KS3 provision and commitment from school senior managers.