Just wondered really! Or don't many TAs support MFL? I loved it last year; but didn't get timetabled for any this year. The head of MFL was chuffed that I was prepared to join in and have a go.

Maybe it was the novelty of having a living TA in her class; because I'm convinced you are all hibernating (or dead?!!) Perhaps you are wintering on the ski slopes? Drinking gallons of vin rouge by the Med?

My question is: Do TAs not get used in MFL classes because the pupils who are struggling with English have been withdrawn from MFL? There's a sense in our school that it is a waste of time to put TAs in MFL cos those pupils will be withdrawn later and would never pick languages as an option. I have a niggling doubt that the option is being taken from them in Year 7. I'm hoping that one of our very bright PD kids will opt for German next year...

yes! i used to support MFL in year 7 but the pupils were then withdrawn in yr 8!

im not in school anymore but now do have students with English as a second language

i must admit i did enjoy MFL support.

there are some TAs who teach languages in Primary though

I was in class last year for German.
The teachers shouldn't assume that we had a child with SLD and he was better at remembering the German than anyone else.

Hi, I teach French for Year 3 PPA cover, I love it and so do the kids
Thank goodness for Roller and the gang on BBC website for Primary French we have great fun !!!

I teach French to years 3,4,5 and 6. Not sure if i will still be allowed to once it becomes compulsory in Autumn 2009. But good skill to add to the CV I suppose.

Hi, I teach French too, to the whole school. Fairly easy for me as I am French. I use the LCP scheme of work and all my own resources left from the French club that I ran for years. Most of the teachers are great as they are very good at reinforcing what I teach the children once a fortnight and they have great French displays in their classrooms. The teacher I work with is a language graduate so is even more supportive !
It looks as if I will carry on leading the teaching of French in 2010...

That's fantastic. I get no support or reinforcement, in fact the staff feel the introduction of MFL has made them have to compromise on other subject time. I have to leave worksheets but it's hit and miss if they get done.
I am not French so everything I do has to be prepared from scratch and takes so much of my own time as I feel I have to rehearse the lesson. I do enjoy it and love taking whole classes, but could do with more time to prepare.
How long do you spend with each class per fortnight?

hi Lbee,
I spend about 15 mn in FS2 and Y1 and about 25 mn in Year 2. Then it's 30 mn in Y3/4/5/6. In KS1 I teach a lot of rhymes and songs. In KS2, I start introducing written words and in upper KS2, whole (simple) sentences. If you can, you need to explain to the teachers that French doesn't have to take extra time. It can be reinforced throughout the day very easily. For example, these are the things teachers can do themselves in French : call the register (and add the odd 'comment ça va ?' every now and again), count the number of children present, describe the weather in one very easy sentence (il fait beau, il pleut...). In numeracy, numbers can be said in French. Teachers can also praise in French (très bien, bravo etc...). In PE, some instructions can be said in French ('sautez, courez, asseyez-vous'). Any classroom instructions (taisez-vous, levez-vous) and equipment ('les cahiers, les crayons'...) It depends how comfortable the teachers feel about the whole thing. They need to know that they have no choice as it will be compulsory very soon and the more positive they are about languages, the easier it will be for them.

Well done to you anyway for being so positive !
If you need any more help/support/advice, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be delighted to help. I have taught French to children for many years and my own children (teenagers) are bilingual.

Shorty

Hi Shorty,

thanks for the reply. I've been doing KS2 French for 2 years now. First year wasn't so bad as I all 4 KS2 classes were beginners so had the same lesson. This year 4,5 and 6 have new stuff and year 3 what I taught last year. By the time they reach year 6 I will have to have 4 years of lesson plans under my belt. I'm just worried that what I have to teach by then will be greater than my French knowledge (GCSE and few holidays in France).

If I PM you my e-mail, would you be able to send me an example of your yearly plans to give me an idea if I am progressing the pupils sufficiently please?

hi Lbee,

Yes, that's fine although I don't really go by a yearly plan to be honest. I follow the LCP scheme of work (loosely) and draw up termly plans for each key stage. Then I prepare weekly lessons as I go along.
I'm quite happy to send you any plans that I have.

Shorty