A lack of staff linguistic knowledge, training,
confidence and expertise in foreign languages at KS2 often leads to poor
quality lessons. Francesca Pini, the founder and creator of Language
Angels, explores how using the
correct tools can support teachers and break down all the potential barriers.
What are
the Key Challenges for Non-Specialists?
The UK
continues to face challenges in the teaching and learning of a foreign language
at primary phase with a large portion of lessons being delivered by
non-specialist teachers who lack the knowledge & skills but also the budget
to access high-quality training. Language Angels offers the best solution with
a well-recognised and well used scheme of work used in over a 1/3 of primary
schools. In the remaining 2/3 of primary schools there is a lack of quality and
consistency in pronunciation, linguistic accuracy and general curriculum
implementation. With a lack of detailed direction from the government, many
schools find difficulty in creating a well-planned and resourced SoW.
Generalist primary teachers do not know how to speak the foreign language but,
more importantly, do not know how to approach teaching it. They have a lack of
preparation time, limited subject knowledge and do not understand the targets
set.
What
solutions do Language Angels offer Non-Specialist Teachers in particular?
Language
Angels was created to remove all the barriers and ensure every single teacher
in every single school would be in a position to teach high-quality foreign
language lessons to their pupils. It is the best and only primary languages
scheme of work to really boost non-specialist confidence.
- Lack
of Confidence and Expertise
Staff
quickly find they have everything they need all in one place in a very
comprehensive platform. No more hunting around the internet for disjointed and
often inaccurate materials and planning. Full short-, medium- and long-term
planning is provided with clear explanations from Nursery to the end of primary
phase; all fully resourced and completely aligned to government stipulations
and targets. Staff are carefully guided and directed to everything they need
for brilliant, high-quality lessons that have been created by the very
experienced and skilled Language Angels teaching & learning team. At any
starting point in the school’s language learning journey, we can create bespoke
progressive learning pathways that the school can follow effortlessly ensuring
pupil engagement.
- Pronunciation
& Fluency
All instances
of the foreign language in our foreign languages scheme of work have been
recorded by our native-speaking professional voiceover artists in recording
studios – under our strict instruction. In each and every lesson, teachers find
that they have clear, authentic and accurately pronounced models that can be
repeated as many times as possible and ensure effective delivery. Staff can
also upskill their own pronunciation through the platform by hearing the native
audios, as well as through watching our specific phonic videos, and can also
participate in CPD and training offered by the Language Angels team.
- Curriculum
Scope
Many schools
lack the curriculum scope required and only scratch the surface. They often do
not create progressive learning pathways and pitch the lessons either too high
or too low. Some schools using commercial ‘click-and-go’ KS2 foreign language
schemes of work are not able to tailor planning to the needs of their school
and therefore find that not all pupils are catered for and make progress.
- Staff
Upskilling & CPD
Language
Angels is more than a platform and high-quality resource. It is also a central
hub for all training needs for foreign languages at primary phase, ensuring
staff have a place to upskill themselves both linguistically, and regarding the
methodology and pedagogy of primary foreign language teaching & learning. As
well as teaching staff how to speak the foreign language, it is important that SLT’s
can be sure that their staff delivering foreign languages understand what they
should be teaching, why and when. Our free half termly foreign
languages CPD for primary teachers has become invaluable and many schools deepen their knowledge by
booking in bespoke trainings for their school setting. Building staff
confidence is at the heart of everything we do. It is the only option to equip
teachers with everything they need to build sustainability and ensure high-quality
teaching and learning. Teachers need to feel confident in teaching and
assessing primary foreign languages.
