PLEASE HELP ME!

[Cameo]

As part of my final year dissertation at Nottingham Trent University, I am looking at MFL within the primary school, and how well schools are prepared for 2010, when MFL becomes compulsory within KS2.

I have sent out questionnaires to local schools where friends of mine currently teach, but I am lacking responses and so thought it would be worthwhile to use other schools from around the UK as well.

I basically need CLASSROOMTEACHERS, MFL CO-ORDINATORS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS etc to fill in the questionnaire below. ~ This would take roughly 5 minutes to complete. Then send it to me via my email address, so anonymity is guaranteed- [e-mail]

It would be a huge help and your opinions would be much appreciated.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
Thanks.

_________________________________________________________________________


What is your job title? (please highlight appropriate answer)

Headteacher
Class Teacher
Teaching Assistant
MFL Co-ordinator
Other

If you are a class teacher, what year group do you teach? 1 2 3 4 5 6

In your school, is there an allocated slot for MFL?

Yes-in school hours
Yes-extra curricular
No

If there is an allocated slot, how many hours per week? ________

At what age do you think a child should start learning a MFL? i.e. when should the subject be introduced to the curriculum?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Which languages do you think should be taught? __________________________________

How is MFL included in your schools curriculum framework so far?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Do you think this could be improved? If so, HOW?
_________________________________________________________________________

What do you know about the plans for 2010 and the compulsory introduction of MFL to the KS2 curriculum? How well do you think this will work accross the country?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

How well do you think MFL will fit into the school's timetable?
Extremely well 1 2 3 4 5 Not well at all

How do you rate MFL provision at present within your school in regards to 2010 plans ?
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Terrible

How much do you think pupils are motivated to do well and enjoy MFL? What ways are pupils motivated?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

In what ways do the pupils get taught MFL? e.g. puzzles, songs etc.
_________________________________________________________________________

Do you use a particular scheme? If so, Which? (e.g. catherine cheater)
________________________________________________________

Is there opportunity to extend pupil learning of MFL into other subjects? If so, Please give an example. _________________________________________________________________

Do you think all primary school teachers should be able to teach languages or do you think there should be specialist teachers?
_________________________________________________________________________

If you have any additional comments, please be encouraged to add these in now!

That is the end of the questionnaire. As mentioned before, please contact me on the above email address if there are any questions or concerns regarding the data, or if you want to withdraw your data at any time.

Once again, Thanks.

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

Hi Cameo

More than happy to do this for you - but might it be easier for poeple if you upload these questions as a word doc that people can download and complete in case they are unfamiliar / have trouble with using copy and paste in their email programs? Just an idea.

Meanwhile have added my answers and emailed it to you. Have you tried approaching LA consultants/ comenius centres / CILT etc and asking them as well? Good luck.
Jo x

[Lisa Stevens]

my response is on its way to you via email
Lisaxx

[Rosie]

What is your job title? (please highlight appropriate answer)

Headteacher
Class Teacher
Teaching Assistant
MFL Co-ordinator
Other – Primary French Specialist for Y2 to Y6

If you are a class teacher, what year group do you teach? 1 2 3 4 5 6

In your school, is there an allocated slot for MFL?

Yes-in school hours
Yes-extra curricular
No

If there is an allocated slot, how many hours per week? Y5/Y6 have 2 x 40 mins, Y3/Y4 have 2 x 30 mins and Y2 have 2 x 15 mins
At what age do you think a child should start learning a MFL? i.e. when should the subject be introduced to the curriculum? Reception seems quite a receptive time to me
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Which languages do you think should be taught? I don’t think it matters too much – whichever you have a good Primary Specialist for.
How is MFL included in your schools curriculum framework so far?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Do you think this could be improved? If so, HOW? Would like to extend it downwards to Reception.
_________________________________________________________________________

What do you know about the plans for 2010 and the compulsory introduction of MFL to the KS2 curriculum? How well do you think this will work accross the country? Seems strange to stop compulsory GCSE at the same time as starting compulsory Primary MFL. Why not both?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

How well do you think MFL will fit into the school's timetable?
Extremely well 1 2 3 4 5 Not well at all (been doing it for over 9 years in my school)
How do you rate MFL provision at present within your school in regards to 2010 plans ?
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Terrible

How much do you think pupils are motivated to do well and enjoy MFL? What ways are pupils motivated?
They have always seemed to me very motivated on the whOle and enjoy the singing and games/activities approach. Even homework is popular!.

In what ways do the pupils get taught MFL? e.g. puzzles, songs etc.
A combination of everything: selections from schemes, ICT, games, songs and activities.
Do you use a particular scheme? If so, Which? (e.g. catherine cheater)
An American scheme called Gérard et Ses Copains – very visual and good for children with SEN/dyslexia. Plus lots of other material.

Is there opportunity to extend pupil learning of MFL into other subjects? If so, Please give an example. _Yes, but easier if you the class teacher are delivering French as well as other subjects. As a specialist I think that’s harder to achieve.
Do you think all primary school teachers should be able to teach languages or do you think there should be specialist teachers?
I’m in favour of specialists. But no reason why a class teacher couldn’t deliver it if they are good at a language. I think progression and continuity are better achieved if one person does it.

Extra comment: my school is a British International school overseas following the British curriculum (and has Ofsted inspections!) Sorry i couldn't reply in the body of your questionnaire - I couldn't figure out how to do it!

All the best!

Rosie

[jane solloway]

Have just replied - hope it goes well

[Helen Shaw]

What is your job title? (please highlight appropriate answer)

Other - Peripatetic Language Specialist

If you are a class teacher, what year group do you teach? key stage 2

In your school, is there an allocated slot for MFL? I go to various schools which have an allocated weekly slot for MFL

Yes-in school hours

If there is an allocated slot, how many hours per week?Usually 1 hour per class

At what age do you think a child should start learning a MFL? i.e. when should the subject be introduced to the curriculum?
As early as possible, preferably nursery.

Which languages do you think should be taught? I'm not sure that it's important which languages they learn, as long as they are exposed to a language. It will all very much depend upon the community the school is in, I think.

How is MFL included in your schools curriculum framework so far?
It is taught by me, and I leave CDs, homework, websites and various games so that the language can be practised in between my visits.

Do you think this could be improved? If so, HOW?
There is very little time in the timetable for this to take place. Some schools manage to fit some in, others don't even bother.

What do you know about the plans for 2010 and the compulsory introduction of MFL to the KS2 curriculum? How well do you think this will work accross the country?
I have been writing to all of our local schools to let them know about this. In our county, the model being pushed is that where the class teacher provides the language provosion, which I don't think will work in every school. Many primary teachers have very little confidence or experience with languages. I think a mixture of methods is needed, including specialists such as myself.

How well do you think MFL will fit into the school's timetable?
3

How do you rate MFL provision at present within your school in regards to 2010 plans ?
The schools I work with all fit in very well with the 2010 plans.

How much do you think pupils are motivated to do well and enjoy MFL? What ways are pupils motivated?
They adore French and are on the whole very motivated. They like the fast paced nature of the lessons, and the way of learning with songs and stories. They also enjoy talking about other cultures and languages, and sharing their own experiences.

In what ways do the pupils get taught MFL? e.g. puzzles, songs etc.
I use songs, stories, interactive games

Do you use a particular scheme? If so, Which? (e.g. catherine cheater)
I follow the ks2 framework.

Is there opportunity to extend pupil learning of MFL into other subjects? If so, Please give an example. _________________________________________________________________

Do you think all primary school teachers should be able to teach languages or do you think there should be specialist teachers?
I think they should work together with specialist teachers where appropriate. Each teacher and school is different, so different solutions need to be available.

[Jackie Berry]

Hi Cameo,

I have sent your questionnaire directly to your e-mail address.
Good luck with your dissertation!

Jackie B

[Emily G]

Hi Helen

Interested to read about this survey. Want to become a peripatetic languages teacher. Wondered if you can advise on qualifications required and whether your pay is based on teacher pay scales or if there are particular external teacher scales or whether you set your own rate. Any advice gratefully received! Thank you.

[Helen Shaw]

Hi Emily
if you want to drop me an email, I'll be able to give you a bit more info.

[Lorraine]

Hi have (hopefully) uploaded my reply to your e-mail.
Lorraine