Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) are now compulsory in UK primary classrooms

From 2010 all key stage 2 students will have compulsory access to modern foreign languages (MFL). It has long been argued that primary school children are in the ideal position to begin foreign language acquisition. Starting at an early age means that by the time pupils reach secondary school they will already have a firm grasp of the basics.  It is hoped that this move will not only make it possible for them to really comprehend a foreign language by the time they leave school, but will also increase their understanding of other cultures.

There are obvious benefits of introducing MFL to students in primary school.  For one thing, young learners tend to be naturally open to new languages. This is due to the fact that before puberty they are likely to be less self-conscious and more willing to mimic the correct pronunciation of words in a foreign tongue. Older children tend to more reticent because they fear that their peers will laugh at them. Students at primary school age also tend to be intensely curious about the world and communication.  It is hoped that discovering a new language will give them a more international outlook as they grow up.

English is currently seen as the world’s lingua franca. This has meant that there has not been much pressure on native English speakers to learn a new language. This attitude may have future consequences on the UK’s ability to compete in foreign markets. The fact is that you need to be able to deal with foreign companies in their language if you want to win respect. It should also be noted that the interconnectedness of the European Union is growing and this means that there needs to be good communication between the different countries. Just expecting everyone to learn English won’t work in the business world. The UK government knows this to be the case and this is why it is placing increasing emphasis on MFL in schools.

While most people can appreciate the benefit of introducing MFL to students at age seven there is still some concern as to how primary schools will cope with this new demand. Quite a few primary schools around the UK already have some type of MFL program up and running, but many don’t.  One solution has been to encourage new teachers to apply for the MLF module as part of their Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The problem with this is that it does not really equip teachers with knowledge of a foreign language; the PGCE course only lasts one year. Unless the teachers already have some knowledge of MLF they are likely to struggle while teaching the subject; at least in the beginning. It has been suggested that adding more classroom posters around schools that help with the languages will help with the transiition.

It will be interesting to see how the introduction of MLF to key stage two students will work out. There is no doubting the need for the move and some primary schools, that already have such a program, have proved that it is workable. Whether or not it will be possible for every school to reproduce these results is another thing.