Pupils who are gifted in modern foreign languages are likely to:

• have a strong desire to put language together by themselves
  they apply principles from what they have learned to new situations, transforming phrases and using them in a different context, often with humour
• show creativity and imagination when using language
  they often extend the boundaries of their knowledge and work beyond what they have learned, not wishing simply to respond and imitate, but to initiate exchanges and to create new language
• have a natural feel for languages
  they are willing to take risks and see what works, knowing instinctively what sounds right and what looks right; they are acutely and swiftly aware of the relationship between sound and spelling
• pick up new language and structures quickly
  they may have excellent aural and oral skills and may be able to cope with rapid streams of sound and identify key words at an early stage; they may also display outstanding powers of retention, both immediately and from one lesson to the next
• make connections and classify words and structures to help them learn more efficiently
  they are able to evaluate new language critically, recognising the grammatical function of words
• seek solutions and ask further questions
  they may test out their theories and seek to solve linguistic problems, sometimes challenging the tasks set and trying to understand their relevance to the language-learning process
• have an insight into their own learning style and preference
  they may say how they like to learn vocabulary or structures; they are clear about the type of tasks they like doing; they may show or display an ability to work independently, without supervision, and to make effective use of reference material
• show an intense interest in the cultural features of the language being studied
  they may use idiom in the language itself and explore the history and the traditions of the language; some pupils may wish to share their knowledge with their peers