Modern foreign languages (MFL) is a compulsory national curriculum subject at key stage 3, and is one of the statutory entitlement areas at key stage 4.

At key stage 3, schools must offer at least one of the official languages of the European Union but may, in addition, offer any other modern foreign language. French is the language most widely taught, followed by German and Spanish. Qualifications are available in a wide range of languages, including 20 languages at GCSE.

The publication Access and engagement in modern foreign languages: teaching pupils for whom English is an additional language provides detailed guidance on teaching students for whom English is an additional language. In particular it makes the point that beginners in English can make swifter progress in MFL than other students because the predominance of a common target language, new to all, places them on a more equal footing than in other subjects. MFL lessons can therefore provide the greatest opportunity for new arrivals to achieve.

New arrivals may have prior knowledge of a foreign language taught in the school. In such instances their knowledge should be assessed and they should be placed in a teaching group at a suitable level, if at all possible.

Schools should also consider whether they have the resources to further develop pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding in their mother tongue when this is a language other than English. If a suitable language qualification is available, achieving this can raise pupils' self-esteem considerably. Information about approved MFL qualifications is available on the QCA 14–19 learning website.

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Useful weblinks

Please note:  QCA is not responsible for the content of external sites

14–19 learning
This site aims to provide a one-stop shop for all information and guidance about the 14–19 phase. The site provides information and guidance to practitioners and to others with an interest in 14–19 education and training, including students and parents. This is a direct link to the ‘Approved qualifications meeting entitlement requirements’ page.

DfES: Access and engagement in modern foreign languages: teaching pupils for whom English is an additional language
This guidance applies the key stage 3 national strategy principles to the teaching and learning of MFL for EAL pupils. It suggests strategies to help teachers support pupils at different points of learning English to:

• develop their understanding and use of the English language
• enhance their learning in MFL lessons.

Houghton Mifflin: Language guide to transfer errors
On this site is a language guide which sets out several problem areas for multilingual or EAL writers. It shows grammatical features of specific languages that, when transferred to English, lead to an error. The guide lists a selection of transfer errors with the aim of being useful and practical. You can use the guide to raise your awareness about your own and other languages.

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National Centre for Languages (CILT)
CILT is the government’s recognised centre of expertise on languages. The organisation’s mission is to promote a greater capability in languages amongst all sectors of the UK population. The CILT website also includes a community languages area.

QCA: Respect for all in modern foreign languages
Guidance on how the MFL programme of study requirements provide effective learning opportunities to value diversity and challenge racism. The activities are examples of good practice. They focus on helping pupils understand and appreciate aspects of cultural difference and linguistic diversity while challenging and extending their perceptions of themselves and other people.

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