Frequently Asked Questions

Special educational needs

MFL and special educational needs discussion

The linguanet-forum is run by CILT to generate ideas and mutual support for all those who are involved in teaching modern foreign languages. It can be viewed and joined for free, and discussion sometimes takes place around the subject of special education needs (SEN).

Official guidelines and help

Curricular guidance has been issued by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and by DfES:

Inclusion in MFL revised National Curriculum web page

MFL framework: additional guidance on Inclusion National Secondary Strategy KS3 web pages. This part of the Framework for teaching modern foreign languages, Years 7, 8 and 9 includes sections on SEN and disabilities, EAL, gifted and talented pupils, gender and achievement, ICT and inclusion.

Teaching able, gifted and talented pupils National Secondary Strategy KS3 web pages. Files downloadable from this page include Key messages for teaching able, gifted and talented pupils and information on teaching modern foreign languages to gifted and talented students.

DfES Teachernet has information on Implementing the Disability Discrimination Act in schools and early years settings, published in June 2006.

Teacher Training Resource Bank

SEN portal
TTRB has recently launched this special educational needs portal aimed at those involved in teacher training. The resources section includes video footage from Teacher TV.

Teaching materials

To search CILT's online library catalogue for details of teaching materials, choose "Browse Search" and "Look for: Subject" "Begins with: Special Needs (Materials)".

CILT bulletin

Some earlier issues of the bulletins include articles on special needs.

CILT courses

CILT courses and Comenius network courses
Courses which touch on inclusion may feature in professional development.

ITT MFL website

This site has four links to inclusion issues on its current theory and research page.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia and learning a modern foreign language

This University of Hull site includes:
1. FAQs on: deciding to learn a language; the choice of language to learn; approaches to learning a language
2. Guidelines for learners with Dyslexia
3. Guidelines for tutors/advisers/course designers

Dyslexia, language learning and using languages other than English

Visual impairment

RNIB's curriculum clipboard has specific advice on teaching languages to children with sight problems under "Teaching National Curriculum Subjects"

British Sign Language

For information on BSL visit our BSL pages.

Gifted and talented students

McLachlan, Anneli Raising the standard: addressing the needs of gifted and talented pupils. CILT, 2002. (New Pathfinder, 1). Click here for further details.

Identifying gifted pupils: Modern foreign languages. QCA web page

Further information

David Ritchie Wilson, who works in the Equal Opportunities department of a South Shields secondary school, has been researching MFL provision for special needs in a secondary context for a number of years. The results of his work can be found on his website. It includes a bibliography of modern foreign languages and special educational needs in Microsoft Word format and information on many aspects of MFL and inclusion from gifted students to the use of ICT. Updated regularly.

Hilary McColl's website focuses on modern languages and inclusion with particular reference to Scotland.

The NGFL inclusion website is still being maintained and has a database which includes MFL materials.

Items listed in the CILT Resources Library catalogue are available to all visitors to the library. They can be found by using "Browse Search" to look in the "SUBJECT" field for any of these terms: BLIND, DYSLEXIA, HEARING IMPAIRED, SPECIAL NEEDS

The instant access treasure chest is a "foreign language teachers guide to learning disabilities" on the website of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Updated 21/01/2008