Teachers TV: Modern Foreign Languages

Dynamic Assessment for Learning in MFL keeps students on task and teachers focused on the next steps for all ability groups, maintains Hendon School's MFL department. A Year 9 German lesson kicks off with guided conversation, followed by a speed dating activity for unguided conversation practice. Students follow up both with peer assessment for target setting. With the introduction of AfL, lessons are taught primarily in the target language, but English is used for the assessment elements, to take the students outside of their language. They can step back and work out what they need to do to improve in the future. A Year 11 set uses a 'diamond ranking' activity to help prioritise grammar element in the speaking part of their GSCE. Peer assessment takes the form of a 'narrator card' challenge, with students assessing each other's spoken language. AfL is introduced more gradually to a Year 7 French class, where they self assess in a vocabulary-based lesson.