Language-Today-Issue-35-May-2020

Book Review
MFL – How to make modern foreign language
teaching exciting, inclusive and relevant
Words: Carol Hughes - ALL Resources Review Editor
In this book Crista draws on her own
personal experience as a language
teacher and presents both those new
to the profession and the experienced
language teacher with a wealth of
ideas, founded on sound principles of
language teaching and learning.
Crista examines the place of languages
in the curriculum and ways in
which we, as teachers, can ensure
that language learning is a positive
experience for students. Her passion
for inspiring students to learn an
international language is reflected in
one of the many messages she gives in
her book: “ I believe that all learners can
achieve in MFL, if given the opportunity
and the right classroom climate.”
For recently qualified teachers Crista’s
book contains comprehensive ideas
on not just the teaching of the four
skills, but behaviour management,
relationships and approaches to
assessment amongst many other areas.
In the penultimate chapter she offers
some very down-to-earth information
for trainees, NQTs and RQTs, which
could equally be used as a checklist for
mentors to promote discussion or to
support their mentees.
There is a lot of very sound advice
given as well as practical suggestions
for activities for the various skills we
teach our students, for songs and films
to engage learners and approaches to
manage transition of students from
the primary to the secondary phase.
Whether considering creativity, revision
or tips to improve reading skills in
the classroom Crista’s book offers a
range of ideas, which are practical and
achievable. I particularly found the
chapter about working with teaching
assistants and students with additional
needs very thought provoking. There
are very many suggestions in this
chapter, which would provide excellent
discussion points between the two
departments.
Crista’s book is inspiring. As an
experienced teacher you can see
the relevance of the message Crista
communicates throughout her book,
but equally it evokes reflection in the
reader to examine their own practice. It
would prove invaluable for those new
to the profession, but equally one every
teacher can return to when considering
new approaches to support students
in their learning. And as my ALL
colleague, Professor Anna Lise Gordon,
says in her review: “Any book with a
chapter entitled ‘The awesome power
of lucky socks’ is bound to catch a
teacher’s eye”.
MORE INFORMATION
Crista Hazell
Independent Thinking Press, 2020,
242pp, £9.99
ISBN: 978178135337-0
A Selection of Primary Blogs from ALL
Words: Sue Cave - Primary Languages Consultant and Trainer – Cave Languages / ALL Thames Valley
This collection of articles written by
in mixed-age groups is examined.
Clare Seccombe for the ‘Primary Blog’
Whether you are just starting out as
feature of ‘Languages Today’ would
a primary language teacher or have
be ideal not only for anyone who
several years of experience, there is a
has never read them before, but also
wealth of ideas in this book for you to
as a refresher for those who have.
The selection covers a wide range of
try out, adapt or revisit in your teaching
areas pertinent to the teaching of a
repertoire. Then once these are
foreign language in primary school.
exhausted, web links are provided to
All the ideas are referenced to the KS2
explore further these themes.
Programme of Study attainment targets
and the content has been updated to
reflect current trends.
The key elements of language learning,
namely the teaching of grammar,
vocabulary and dictionary skills are
all included with suggestions for
classroom activities and games, which
have been tried and tested by an
experienced practitioner. Ideas for
practising the skills of listening, writing
and speaking are considered, as well
as language learning strategies such
as making links with other languages
and writing systems. If you are looking
for advice as to how to include craft
and songs in your teaching there are
two separate articles on this, which
will encourage you to experiment. The
cultural element of language learning
is not forgotten and a useful list of
festivals is provided for France, Spain
and Germany. Finally, mindful of the
different primary school settings which
exist; how to manage language learning
30% discount available
using code CPD30
https://www.
independentthinkingpress.com/
books/teachingskills/independentthinking-on-mfl/
MORE INFORMATION
Clare Seccombe
ALL, 2020, £9.99
https://www.all-languages.org.uk/
product/a-selection-of-primary-blogsby-clare-seccombe/
www.all-languages.org.uk Summer 2020 10