Teaching Modern Foreign Languages Conference 2025: Engaging Learners Inside and Out of the Classroom
Past and Present Supporters include:
Overview
The language deficit in the UK has a pervasive impact on trade, employment and building cultural understanding. To achieve the Government’s EBacc Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) target of 90% by the end of 2025, a robust approach that includes initiatives both inside and out of the classroom is required to foster a continuous learning pathway from KS3 to higher education. The conference will also discuss key challenges facing educators in MFL including teacher recruitment and retention, ensuring success in examinations and supporting SEND students.
- Just under 2 in 3 Britons are unable to hold a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue
- Only 47% of pupils in the UK take MFL at GCSE level
- Recruitment of qualified teachers of languages is an issue in over 60% of all state and independent schools
Join us at the MFL: Engaging learners inside and out of the classroom 2025 Conference to hear the latest updates on Government policy surrounding MFL, strategies for engaging learners of all abilities in primary, secondary, further, and higher education and guidance on engaging learners in non-academic contexts.
Why Attend?
✓ Gain key insights from experts in education
✓ Keep up to date with policy developments and examination and curriculum changes
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues from across the education sector
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Keynote: Current Trends and Updates in MFL Education
- Outlining changes to education policy including curriculum reviews and changes to GCSE examinations
- Addressing challenges caused by the language deficit
- The future of MFL education in the UK
- Strategies for working towards government targets for language engagement
Keynote: Improving Uptake of MFL in Schools
- Creating inclusive and engaging learning environments to encourage enthusiasm for MFL
- Strategies for engaging students in MFL outside of the classroom by creating extracurricular activities
- Guidance on utilising cross-curricular activities to improve MFL engagement
- Methods for aiding the transition from KS3 to GCSE to A-level
Keynote: MFL Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Schools
- Overview of current challenges and initiatives for improving recruitment and retention
- Strategies for supporting staff workload and well-being to ensure long-term retention
- The Early Career Framework: Guidance on providing support for career development
- The future of MFL recruitment and retention
James Zuccollo, Director for School Workforce, Education Policy Institute (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case study: International Engagement in Schools
- Strategies for creating international engagement and cross-cultural learning experiences in schools to encourage perseverance in language learning
- Guidance on connecting effectively with international schools to generate robust partnerships
- Strategies for utilising language assistants to increase MFL engagement amongst student
Vicky Gough, Schools Adviser, British Council (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Teaching MFL to SEND Students
- Outlining the importance of providing equal opportunities for students to learn MFL
- Techniques for teaching SEND students to promote inclusive engagement with MFL
- Strategies for teaching students with autism and ADHD
- Guidance on overcoming challenges facing teachers teaching MFL to SEND students
Dr Katie Howard, Senior Lecturer in Education and Psychology, University of Exeter (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Teaching MFL to Students Learning EAL
- Guidance for providing additional support and utilising bilingual resources to students to ensure all students have equal opportunities to learn MFL
- Strategies for creating lessons for all abilities to promote whole class engagement
- How to build confidence in MFL learning for students with varying levels of English proficiency
Katherine Solomon, Head of Training and Resources, The Bell Foundation (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Keynote: Ensuring Success in New MFL GCSE Examinations
- Outlining the key changes to content and examinations
- Developing engaging lesson plans that prioritise examination success
- Techniques for supporting students when learning new content to ensure success in examinations
- Utilising and adapting online and offline resources to create a dynamic learning environment
Case study: Promoting Student-Led Language Learning in Schools
- Outlining the benefits of mentoring to promote long-term engagement with MFL
- Understanding the importance of alternative learning opportunities in promoting long-term engagement
- The benefits of mentoring programs in helping students overcome barriers to pursuing MFL at GCSE-level and beyond
- Guidance on engaging students in further and higher education in initiatives to promote MFL
Lucy Jenkins, Project Director, MFL Mentoring, Cardiff University (CONFIRMED)
Giuliana Pieri, Vice Principal (international), Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Royal Holloway University of London (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case study: The Benefits of Informal Language Learning
- Strategies for encouraging non-academic engagement with MFL to create strong, diverse communities that extend beyond academic environments
- Guidance on implementing extracurricular activities and social events that promote engagement with MFL
- Exploring the benefits of extracurricular activities for students
Case study: Diversifying Language Learning
- Understanding the importance of language exploration to broaden student’s worldview and diversify learning opportunities
- Successfully using technology to enhance language learning experiences
- Guidance on empowering students to lead workshops and groups to increase student engagement with MFL
Carolin Schneider, Language Zone Manager, University of Leeds (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Previous Speakers
Judith Rowland Jones
Head of Curriculum
AQA
Eva McManamon
Senior Qualifications Manager
Pearson
Anne-Marie McQuillin
St Bede’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery
Silvia Bastow
Head of Languages and Specialist Leader in Education for MFL
Ercall Wood Academy
Witold Wozniak
Lead Practitioner & Head of French
Coombe Girls’ School
John Wilson
Head of Modern Languages
Cheadle Hulme School
Vicki Goodman
Merton Primary MFL Coordinator and French Leading Practitioner
Wimbledon Park Primary School
Karine Walklett
Specialist French Teacher
Langenhoe Community Primary School
Susi Sahmland
Coordinator for Primary Languages on the PGCE
Goldsmiths, University of London
Dr Vally Lytra
Reader and Director of Postgraduate Research
Goldsmiths, University of London
Testimonials
It was an engaging event which brought together researchers and practitioners in the field. I look forward to the 2025 edition!
The event was very inspiring and I found it interesting to listen to people from varied organisations. I took away a lot of practical information as well as ideas that I could implement into my school in different ways.
The event was really informative with lots of takeaways that I can implement in my department.
I have really enjoyed hearing about so many positive initiatives and ideas to improve the language learning experience for our students. The range and quality of speakers was fantastic.
A really engaging conference with an excellent variety of speakers from all areas; primary, secondary, exam boards, British council and more. A language-lovers dream day!
A lovely way of linking with colleagues and sharing concerns. Inspiring to hear what others are doing in MFL.
Why You Should Attend?
✓ Gain key insights from experts in education
✓ Keep up to date with policy developments and examination and curriculum changes
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues from across the education sector
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Example | Organisation Examples |
| Charity Partners | Primary Schools |
| Teachers | Secondary Schools |
| University Staff | Further Education Providers |
| Academic Support Staff | Higher Education Providers |
| Trustees | Government Educational Policy Leads |
| Policy Managers | Charities |
| Academics | Think Tanks/NGOs |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
