The National Languages Strategy Update, Manchester 8th June 2009-Primary

It is now two years since the Languages Review was published and the update provided an overview of the progress made so far. The briefing covered: primary, key stage 4, the new primary curriculum, KS4 performance indicators, the new Languages and International Communication Diploma, the Open School for Languages and the Links into Languages programme.

The Update was presented by Lid King and Kate Green.
Lid King established the Languages Company in 2008 in order to support the National Languages Strategy. A languages teacher in secondary, higher and adult education, advanced level examiner and materials writer, Lid was Director of CILT from 1992 to 2003.
Kate Green is a secondary languages specialist with additional experience in primary, adult languages and EFL. She is now a member of the Languages Company and her work has a particular focus on the national situation of the MFL uptake at KS4. She is also a Senior Adviser for the Links into Languages programme.

In Primary the Language offer was presented as follows:

=>The New Curriculum includes languages for all (7-14) from 2011
=>More appropriate assessment
=>Choice and personalization (support for improved)

Primary aims were defined as: =>Enthusiasm for language learning
=>Focus on Speaking and Listening
=>Develop understanding of other cultures

The most popular languages in Primary were French (89%), Spanish (23%) and German (9%).
The average time allocation was 30-60 minutes per week in primary schools and the teaching was most commonly carried out by the class teacher. One of the most important changes was that many more schools had some kind of assessment scheme in place.

Making and Marking Progress is a taster pack with suggestions and materials to support progression in the summer term of Year3

Cilt transition projects are also available

New website : http://primarylanguages.org.uk/ which is a combination of the former NACELL and Primary Languages training zone websites. A "Linguistic Upskilling specification" will be put into place to support primary school teachers. The syllabus will be delivered in all LAs and firmly rooted in primary practice. The specification will consist of 4 modules of 30 hours each and the phonology strand will run through the course with a specific focus on intonation and stress (video clips to be found on the primary languages website)

The Rose Review (Primary)
* Languages to be statutory at KS2 from September 2011
* Programme of Studies and progression based on the KS2 framework
* Languages will be within the “English, Communication and Languages” Area of Learning (focus on language development and learning languages as a way to develop literacy skills)
* It is recommended to teach 1 or 2 languages in order to develop clear levels of competence (move away from the multilingual / cultural/ linguistic awareness models)
* Free choice of languages (it does not have to include a language from the EC anymore)
* OFSTED Review by 2014

Entitlement for each child to reach a certain level in :

* Listening and Speaking (at about level 3)
* Reading and Writing (and phonic)
* Intercultural Understanding

09-10 Priorities
1. Maintain existing support for workforce development
2. Language Upskilling
3. Support for progression, assessment and transition
4. Monitoring progress and provision (OFSTED)