Two DfE documents were published today. The first was the response to the consultation about the proposed new GCSE (originally due in October 2021) and the second is the subject content document which, ultimately, is of most interest to MFL teachers in England. Here is the link to the document. We are talking about an exam to be done from 2026 (current Y7s). There is always a tendency for sceptical teachers to think that consultations are a bit of a sham and that the DfE will just go ahead and do what they want when it comes to exam reform. In this case, the responses to the original proposals were mixed, and most certainly hostile as far as exam boards and professional associations representing the MFL community, universities, head teachers and awarding bodies are concerned. What has emerged does reveal some significant changes which take account of a number of criticisms levelled at the proposals. As I read it, the most important changes relate to vocabulary and the issue of topics
This has made enlightening (if slightly worrying) reading for someone about to embark on their NQT year. I'm at the start of my language teaching career and have lots to learn, but it seems to me that what you say is spot on, particularly that ours is a utalitarian age. It seems to me that the current system of education is functional, mechanical and obsessed with achievement of targets - but achievement at the expense of an educational experience providing opportunity for enrichment, enjoyment and learning for the sake of learning. I accept that not all children will love the study of languages per se but it seems to me that today's learners are all TOO aware of targets, levels of attainment and focused all too young on the ultimate goal of 'getting a good job'. It seems to me that the pertinent questions are twofold: first, how to get the government to place higher value on the study of languages and second, how to attract children to languages at age 14 in the meantime - perhaps a detailed study of what motivates our current learners and an action plan based on this would help? My experiences are very limited and I'm trying to become as informed as I can about language-teaching and the current state of affairs so thanks for an interesting and incisive read!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I really hope you are not put off at all! But I do hope you find yourself in departments where the latest initiatives are kept in perspective and where the focus is on good lessons, hard work and enjoyment. Best of luck for your NQT year. Do get in touch via frenchteacher.net if you need any advice.
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