Teaching Modern Foreign Languages Conference 2026: Engaging Learners Inside and Out of the Classroom
Present Supporters include:
Overview
The 2025 event has now taken place, the 2026 Agenda will be live soon. If you would like to register your interest please fill in the form below.
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.
2025 Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Julie Sutcliffe, Education Development Lead (MFL), Global School Alliance (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Current Trends and Updates in MFL Education
- Outline changes to education policy including curriculum reviews and changes to GCSE examinations
- Current trends in language learning and teaching across the UK
- Pupil attitudes to language learning
- Voices from the classroom: teacher comments on the challenges in language education and how to support the future of language teaching and learning
Dr Jayne Duff, Research Fellow, Queens University Belfast (CONFIRMED)
Case study: International Engagement in Schools
- Strategies for creating international engagement and cross-cultural learning experiences in schools
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The importance of international engagement for motivation in language learning
- Modern language assistants: Strategies for utilising language assistants to increase MFL engagement amongst students
- Schools connect: Guidance on connecting effectively with international schools to generate lasting and impactful partnerships
Vicky Gough, Schools Adviser, British Council (CONFIRMED)
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 & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Teaching MFL to SEND Students
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The importance of providing equal opportunities for students to learn MFL
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Challenges that students with SEND might face when learning languages
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Strategies for teaching MFL to students with SEND and promoting inclusion within the MFL classroom
Dr Katie Howard, Senior Lecturer in Education and Psychology, University of Exeter
(CONFIRMED)
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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
Kamil Trzebiatowski, Digital Resource Developer, The Bell Foundation (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break & Networking
Keynote: Supporting you with New MFL GCSE Examinations
- Overview of key changes to content and examinations
- AQA support offer – training and resources to help teachers prepare students for the new exams
Ian Rodmell, Subject Lead – Languages, AQA (CONFIRMED)
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)
Professor Giuliana Pieri, Vice Principal (international), Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Royal Holloway University of London (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Breakout Networking
Comfort Break
Languages and creativity: How can we equip learners for the future?
- Drawing on the latest reports and research on the skills, knowledge and understanding learners will need for the future
- Addressing the critical role languages and languages teachers play and will play in the future
- Showcasing the link between languages and the government’s foci on overcoming barriers and emphasis on communication
- The fundamental role of creativity for the future of education
Judith Rifeser, President, Association for Language Learning (CONFIRMED)
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 & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Julie Sutcliffe, Education Development Lead (MFL), Global School Alliance (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Speakers
Dr Jayne Duff
Research Fellow
Queens University Belfast
Vicky Gough
Schools Adviser
British Council
James Zuccollo
Director for School Workforce
Education Policy Institute
Dr Katie Howard
Senior Lecturer in Education and Psychology
University of Exeter
Katherine Solomon
Head of Training and Resources
The Bell Foundation
Ian Rodmell,
Subject Lead – Languages
AQA
Lucy Jenkins
Project Director, MFL Mentoring
Cardiff University
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:
