What and when should writing happen in MFL KeyStage 2?

[Rebecca Dyer]

Hello MFL people,

This is my first post so here goes a question I attempt to phrase coherently!

 

I have been set the task of helping teachers across KS2 to teach French. I am currently at the stage of giving teachers ideas of French that will link to their projects. A problem I am facing is teachers wanting to push for getting the children to write what they have learnt. Be it as a description of an alien (colour and body parts) or a short biography about their future hopes. Even though they are Year 5 and Year 6 I have pitched them at learning the first and second year of languages, due to the oracy skills, recall of previous knowledge the children display as a consequence of sparardic teaching past few years.

 

My question is; how much do people consider children should be writing? Should they be writing as a way to learn phrases and vocabulary? Should they only write once the vocabuarly / phrases are embeded as verbal recall?

 

Any thoughts or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Jan Lewandowski]

I suggest you contact Trevor Davies who is the PL Consultant for Wiltshire. I see he is running a training course on Progression next month at Urchfont Manor. Shouldn't be difficult for you to find details.

Jan

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

Hi Rebecca Is this of any use:

http://primarymfl.ning.com/profiles/blogs/writing-without-a-pen-pri...

 

I firmly believe that writing is intrinsically linked to reading and speaking - you don't hide the words/text when reading a book to young children in their native language - it's all part of the holistic learning process. Try going back a few steps in how children learn to read and wrote and hopefully you'll see what I mean. If the link doesnt make sense do please get in touch and as Jan says, Trevor is the person to chat to in Wiltshire - good luck!