1. The English Education System Isabelle Jones Head of Languages The Radclyffe School, Oldham http://isabellejones.blogspot.com Twitter: @icpjones

2. Education in England is divided into: Primary-compulsory from 5 Secondary-until 16 (due to change to 18) Further Education post-16 Higher Education post-18

3. Before the age of 5? Nursery: public from age of 3 (nursery + child minder) Nursery: private from 0-3 or 0-5 Some nurseries offer languages (often private ones) Nursery Education is funded by local government (Local Authority) and free: minimum 2hours 30 X 5 per week

4. Early Years, KS1 & KS2 Early Years Foundation Stage (below 5 years old: Nursery + Reception) KS1 = Year 1 and 2 (students aged 5-7) KS2 = Years 3, 4, 5, 6 (students aged 7-11) All schools and childcare providers are inspected by OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education, Children Services and Skills) Not all schools have the same provision for languages from EYFS to KS2

5. INSPECTIONS:whole schools or subject focus e.g. languages, 3 days’ notice or no notice

6. 5 years old should Use written language in their play and learning Use phonic knowledge to write simple words and attempt more complex words Begin to form simple sentences, sometimes using punctuation Controversy: 1.Are they taught literacy too early? Some research shows that it can be counter-producive 2.Controversy: Level of assessment inflicted on young children 3.Children do NOT repeat classes

7. Typical Day at Primary Starts at around 9 Morning Play time Lunch 12-1 Finishes between 3 and 3.30 depending on school

8. Lunch Packed Lunch School dinners (about £9 per week) Children from poor families need to apply for Free School Meals

9. Uniform Only very few schools do not have uniform Common items at primary: sweat shirt, trousers, shorts, socks, PE kit, jackets, jumpers, skirts, dresses Common colours: navy blue, grey, white, red, dark green Trainers are usually only allowed for PE

10. Uniform: Girls

11. Uniform: Boys

12. Languages in Primary Supposed to become compulsory between 7-14 (law not voted-will it happen with new government?) Very different models in place: language awareness, taster in several languages, all through the school/from the age of 7 (KS2) Training issues Support from secondaries/ Local Authorities Upskilling programs

13. Pedagogy (1) Use of visuals Lots of repetitions, games and oral work Some reading exercises Limited writing and assessment Ideally reinforced by class teacher Class teacher to stay with class when being taught as a form of training Some language trips for primary teachers to look at pedagogy Comenius project/ work with foreign language assistants and Comenius Assistant

14. Pedagogy (2) KS2 MFL Framework Examples of good practice http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/85274 Oracy Literacy Intercultural understanding. Knowledge about Language (KAL) Language Learning Strategies (LLS).

15. Pedagogy (3) Examples of Schemes of Work and Teaching Modules http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-1-and-2/subjects/mfl/index.aspx http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes3/subjects/primary_mff/?view=get (the modules exist in French, Spanish and German)

16. The Future? Hoping for the new government to make a final decision about languages in Primary. Since 2004, it is NOT compulsory to study a foreign language after the age of 14. As a result, a lot of language teachers were made redundant. Some also moved across to Primary. A return to compulsory foreign language learning until the age of 16 is NOT expected from the new government...