The Delivering Excellence in Teaching Modern Foreign Languages in Schools Conference 2024

In today’s globalised economy, languages are a vital skill for both individuals and society. The British Council recently found that investment in language education in the UK would likely see a higher return, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of at least 2:1. This has been acknowledged by the Government, as seen through a boost in investment for language education and a drive to increase the number of children studying languages at GCSE and A-Level. Despite this, it seems increasingly unlikely that schools will be able to reach the Government’s EBacc Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) target by the end of 2025.

The Department for Education’s recent reforms to MFL GCSEs are an attempt to make language choices at KS4 more accessible and attractive to pupils. However, to improve the uptake of MFL in secondary schools, innovative teaching methods, new learning opportunities, and curriculum design changes must be considered by teachers across the education sector.

• Data from Ofqual in 2022 revealed that there has been a consistent decline in language learning since 2008, shown by a 17% overall decrease in GCSE entries for MFL
• The 2022 Language Trends survey found that some primary school pupils still receive less than 30 minutes of language learning a week
• Disadvantaged children are on average less likely enter a EBacc language subject at GCSE than non-disadvantaged children, according to research by the Education Policy Institute

Join us at The Delivering Excellence in Teaching Modern Foreign Languages in Schools Conference 2024 to hear the latest updates on Government policy surrounding MFL and how to implement them from education experts across the sector. Learn from a series of best practice case studies showcasing a range of key topics, including supporting the transition between primary and secondary school, engaging and motivating pupils to take MFL, and forming international links and partnerships. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across the education sector to share common challenges and solutions in teaching MFL at school.

Why Attend:

✓ High level keynotes from leading experts on the latest updates and reforms to MFL in schools
✓ A range of key topics including designing an effective MFL curriculum, implementing the new GCSE requirements, and providing inclusive teaching to pupils with SEND
✓ Network with Senior Colleagues from across the education sector
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including Education, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.50

  Chairs’ Opening Remarks

  Dr Vally Lytra, Reader and Director of Postgraduate Research, Goldsmiths, University of London

  Susi Sahmland, Coordinator for Primary Languages on the PGCE, Goldsmiths, University of London

• 10.00

  Keynote: Key Considerations to Improve the Uptake and Value of Language Learning

  • Strategies to increase the number of young people studying modern foreign languages at GCSE level
  • Language Hubs: engaging with the National Consortium for Language Education (NCLE) to improve the quality of language teaching
  • Understanding what Language Trends research tells us about teaching and the learning of languages in England
  • Developing school partnerships and creating contacts with native speakers to add increased value to language learning

  Vicky Gough, Lead for Modern Foreign Languages, British Council (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Effectively Implementing the New GCSEs in French, German and Spanish

  • Understanding the requirements of the new assessments to ensure students can be successful
  • Hints and tips on making best use of the resources to support teaching and learning
  • Support for teachers on increasing uptake at KS4 and promoting MFL to students of all abilities

  Judith Rowland Jones, Head of Curriculum, Languages, AQA (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Case Study: Strategies to Improve Assessment Accessibility and Support Disadvantaged Pupils with Language Learning

  • Exploring the term ‘cultural capital’
  • Improving inclusivity in MFL assessments
  • Small changes, big impact when designing more accessible assessments

  Eva McManamon, Senior Qualifications Manager, Pearson (CONFIRMED)

• 11.00

  Questions and Answers 

• 11.20

  Comfort Break

• 11.35

  Case Study: Taking a Whole-School Approach to Engage Pupils in Languages

  • Providing creative and extra-curricular language opportunities to teach languages in a way that is engaging and enjoyable
  • Exposing children to cultural experiences to stimulate excitement and interest in MFL
  • Creating opportunities for interdisciplinary learning to make learning languages relevant to students
  • Strategies for helping pupils to understand the benefits and importance of learning MFL to motivate them to continue their studies

  Karine Walklett, Specialist French teacher, Langenhoe Community Primary School (CONFIRMED)

• 11.55

  Case Study: Using Inclusive Teaching Techniques to Support SEND Pupils in MFL

  • Outlining some of the challenges that teachers face to best support SEND pupils in the Primary MFL classroom
  • Successful approaches to boost SEND pupils’ success, confidence and enjoyment in the classroom
  • Ideas for planning accessible lessons and adapting resources to inclusively meet the needs of SEND pupils
  • Useful resources and websites

  Vicki Goodman, Merton Primary MFL Coordinator and French Leading Practitioner, Wimbledon Park Primary School (CONFIRMED)

• 12.15

  Questions and Answers 

• 12.35

  Lunch Break

• 13.15

  Case Study: Wrap-Around Strategies to Improve the Uptake of Languages at A-level

  • Securing buy-in and funding for international trips to motivate pupils and demonstrate how the use of languages first hand
  • Organising visits from guest speakers to embed in pupils the significance of language learning
  • Recruiting language ambassadors from different year groups to help run the MFL department and encourage them to remain part of it at A-Level
  • Ensuring pupils gain a real knowledge of the culture of the language they learn to add increased substance and excitement to learning

  John Wilson, Head of Modern Languages, Cheadle Hulme School (CONFIRMED)

• 13.35

  Case Study: Practical Measures to Keep Pupils Engaged in MFL From Primary School into Key Stage 3

  • Guidance on developing links with MFL departments from feeder schools to support the transition of pupils
  • Organising for language staff to teach MFL skills in partner primary schools to prepare pupils for secondary school
  • Providing primary schools with resources to support the development of their languages methodology
  • Designing curriculum units in collaboration with local schools to support children’s engagement with languages as they move to KS3

  Witold Wozniak, Lead Practitioner & Head of French, Coombe Girls’ School (CONFIRMED)

• 13.55

  Questions and Answers 

• 14.15

  Breakout Networking: Strategies to Motivate Reluctant Learners in MFL

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in motivating reluctant language learners, allowing you to share solutions and strategies to engage these pupils in modern foreign languages.

• 14.45

  Comfort Break

• 15.00

  Case Study: Forming Links with International Schools to Enrich and Inspire Learning

  • Guidance on organising and developing links with international schools to expand cultural learning opportunities for pupils
  • Developing a whole school approach to school partnerships to embed an international ethos into children’s education
  • Working collaboratively with international partner schools to co-produce parts of the MFL curriculum and language-based activities
  • Tools for linking pupils’ existing world understanding to teaching in the MFL curriculum to reinforce the relevance of learning

  Anne-Marie McQuillin, St Bede’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery (CONFIRMED)

• 15.20

  Keynote: Designing an Effective Curriculum to Successfully Drive Improvements in MFL Lessons

  • Developing a framework to overcome the challenges surrounding effective curriculum design
  • Incorporating best practice methods into the curriculum to ensure learning is maximised and economical
  • Embedding cultural context and experiences into the curriculum to give pupils a greater understanding of languages
  • Strategies for integrating exam practice into teaching to prepare pupils for assessments
  • Ensuring all teachers are confident to effectively teach the curriculum in the right style

  Silvia Bastow, Head of Languages, Ercal Wood Academy (CONFIRMED)

• 15.40

  Questions and Answers

• 16.00

  Chair’s Summary & Close

  *Programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be people who work in the Education sector.

*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers across the Education Sector
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public Sector Rate: £449.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £379.00+VAT
• Private Sector Rate: £649.00+VAT