All Blog Posts (411)

Dear all,

With only one month to go before the big event, I'm delighted to be able to publish today the delegate pack for The Isle of Wight Conference 2007 which contains full details of all the sessions on offer, plus information about how to get to Nodehill and where to stay. In addition to this, I've included a flyer you can use to promote the conference in your local area and a session preference form for those that have already signed…

Where do you start teaching a language you don't know?

Well, right here it seems. Thank you to Lisa, Jog-on, Isabelle and friends who have posted links to resources, made recommendations and offered support. Just as a follow-up to my last post then, I've attached my lesson plan at the end of this blog post for anyone who is interested. All comments gratefully received!

Staff all agreed they like the 'feel' of the Catherine Cheater sow for Yr.3 so I have tried to…

It was slick and well-executed. I didn't see it coming and well, fair cop really. They got me and I'll have to play along.

It had started a little shakily. I'd put on Inspirations, Mind Your Language from the Teachers TV website and had already had to pause it when there were murmers of 'How many languages? But we haven't got that sort of expertese!'

'It's ok, really, let's watch that bit again and you'll…

NO budget for MFL? It's a barrier we all face and even if you do have a generous and sympathetic Headteacher, have somehow managed to get British Council or similar funding, chances are you are still pretty low on resources and cash for teaching Modern Foreign Languages at KS1 and/or KS2. But actually there is a lot out there, particularly on the Internet that you can get for free, so I'll list some of my…

Inspired by Joe Dale's 'Death by Powerpoint' articles and 'how to' guides, I have been trying to adapt a powerpoint introduction of clothes vocabulary in French so that it is easier to use for non-specialist primary teachers. I've attached a copy at the end of this post for anyone who would like to download and comment on…

Just a few words to share how I'm feeling and where I'm at with MFL at the moment.

I'm really scared...is that normal? At my old school I was geography and history co-ordinator, as well as being in charge of EAL (about 10% of the children were classed as having English as an additional language, so not a small job!!!). Why oh why is the prospect of taking on MFL so daunting for me? I have no idea. Maybe it's not the subject, maybe it's the new school - very large junior…

Quel temps fait-il?

One of the nice things about the weather as a topic is that not only can it be made into a cross-curricular project spread over half a term, but it is also ideally suited for low-key everyday reinforcement in the primary school classroom by the class teacher.

I've attached a template I made for a poster in French that can be pinned on the door/a wall and children can then take it in turns to be responsible for posting little cards for today's day…

Having put aside my week of blogging for Teachers TV, and finally completed tagging all my del.icio.us (note to self - must finish watching Vod Pod on Joe's site re del.icio.us), I've been getting down to another task I've set myself for the holidays.

European Day of Languages is celebrated across Europe every year on 26th September, and I always try to do something to mark the occasion- not easy when you are part…

If you can get yourself over to the Isle of Wight on Saturday 13th October 2007 you can do a lot worse than spend £50 on some excellent CPD about using ICT in the MFL classroom. Joe Dale is hosting his Isle of Wight Conference at Nodehill Middle School and will be covering topics including; "blogging, podcasting , digital video , eTwinning , primary languages , whole class teaching with PowerPoint , whiteboards/classroom performance system ,…

Ok so I am not exactly a nervous non-specialist myself, but I know a few (well a lot actually) who are, so here are some of my top tips. If anyone would like to add to this please do so - all contributions will be gratefully received!

1. Get help with pronunciation: Any good commercial scheme of work should come with a CD with a pronunciation guide for ALL the vocabulary needed. Also see what your LA can suggest - in Devon if your school…

Calling North Devon schools! (and schools from any of the countries that will be taking part in Euro '08 of course!)...

I met up yesterday with Chris Fuller who told me all about his exciting International project based around football and Internationalism. It's designed to be easy-to-run on teacher's part but lots of fun and communication for the children. If you click this link it will take you to Chris' Edgehill blog and…