Leaders - Planning

If the introduction of foreign languages into the life of every primary school is to become a reality, the process will need careful and systematic planning at every level. In the first place, the effectiveness of the curriculum will be judged by its impact on each of the five outcomes of Every Child Matters.

Secondly, as with other significant changes to the curriculum, strategic planning in school and in the local area is vital to ensure that high quality teaching of the foreign language can be sustained. Thirdly, school planning is important in order to develop the skills and confidence of staff and to make the language permeate the curriculum.

School planning

Teaching a foreign language to children in the primary school is an exciting venture, but needs to be introduced with sensitivity and careful planning, especially when expertise comes from outside the school. In this section Advanced Skills Teachers (ASTs) and primary practitioners talk about the need for sensitive collaboration and for planning to fit in with the organisation of the school.