The conference highlighted certain key issues we consider what we are looking for in a good primary languages lesson. These include:

• Use of target language
• Differentiation
• Use of formative assessment techniques

The debate highlighted the importance of the expectations of future Ofsted inspections as they look to focus on languages in primary schools, whilst being mindful of the wider assessment picture and how languages fit into the overall school day, including links with English literacy.

Never far from our minds were issues surrounding progression: we looked at the new Asset Languages materials and debated issues surrounding this and other schemes; we also addressed the need for progression in classroom teachers’ own skills, including a look at the new Language Upskilling specification being developed by CILT.

However, we are not yet close to having a single view on what assessment in primary languages or a ‘good’ primary languages lesson should look like – but we feel that it is vital that this national body of expertise is seen to be leading the debate.

For this reason CILT has commissioned and will continue to work with partners and LA colleagues to make contributions to further the group’s understanding of these key issues as we move towards statutory primary languages.

The LA Special Interest Group on Assessment will be pursuing all the issues raised over the two days and we encourage all participants to follow this work online (available soon). 

Launch of the LA Special Interest Groups:

SIGs met at this conference for the first time. We have high hopes that these will prove a useful tool for us all to share and develop our expertise.

Next: read about the launch of the SIGs.