BA (Hons) Modern Foreign
Languages Education with QTS*
A Guide to Starting at Edge Hill University
PRE-PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Appendix: Modern Foreign Languages
specialism information
Direct entry to Year 2 (Level 5)
2015 entry
(* Indicates our recommendation for QTS at the end of your course. Full QTS is only
confirmed on successful completion of your first induction year in teaching)
Congratulations on accepting your place on the above course.
Contributing Modern Foreign Languages staff
The following senior lecturers will contribute to the delivery of the programme:
Course Leader BA (Honours) Secondary MFL Education with QTS*
Shirley Hindley
Associate tutors:
James Cave
Christine Garrity
Gary Ogden
Helen Thomas
Jean Markland
John Ranson
Joanne Taberner
Victoria Chapman
Mary Malley
Denis Balmer
Leila Boubkari
Judith Rogers
Individual course preparation
The following pre-programme reading list will give you an overview of the development of this
subject area. It is not intended that these titles should be read from cover to cover, but rather
used to dip into to gain a flavour of the work. You may find it helpful to acquire these books
from your local library (on extended loan, if possible) before term commences. It is not a
requirement to purchase the books listed. However, having your own copy will prove helpful
as the course progresses:
Lightbown, Patsy (2013) How Languages are Learned. Oxford: OUP.
Mitchell, Rosamond (2004) Second Language Learning Theories. London: Arnold.
Routledge Encyclopedia of Language Teaching and Learning. (2004) London: Routledge.
(This can be accessed as an e-book from our library system once on programme.)
Current issues in Education and Modern Foreign Languages can be studied in several online
publications. A popular and well utilised resource is the TES online publication:
http://www.tes.co.uk/ The Association of Language Learning is also available to join via the
link: http://www.all-languages.org.uk/ which supports teachers and learners of Languages.
During the subject application element of the degree use will be made of research material
and articles from newspapers such as the Times Educational Supplement, The Times, The
Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. You would be advised to start developing your own file of
newspaper and research articles relevant to secondary school teaching, and in particular to
MFL.
You can also begin to enhance your professional profile in the areas listed below –

Research the National Curriculum for MFL at Key Stage 3 and GCSE
requirements at Key Stage 4 via such sources as the http://web.aqa.org.uk/
Enhance your ICT skills, to develop confidence in using word processing,
databases, spreadsheets, internet search engines and other commonly used
packages. The programmes normally used are Microsoft Word, Publisher,
Excel and Powerpoint.
Continue to enhance your skills and subject knowledge in all skill areas of your
language of specialism and pay particular attention to basic grammar revision.
Gain observation experience in secondary school MFL departments if you have
not already done so.



Tasks (Please bring these with you to your first tutorial with your course leader.)
1. From your teaching and/or observational experiences in school construct a
mind-map to demonstrate what you would need to consider before planning a
Languages lesson in the Secondary sector.
2. Reflecting on your language learning thus far, write a paragraph for each skill:
Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing; highlighting your strengths and
weaknesses in your subject specialism.
Personal tools and equipment

A pen drive / flash drive (2GB or larger is recommended)
A good quality digital camera would also be very useful, although not essential, during the course
as a recording tool – although many students choose to use camera phones for this purpose.
Likewise, many students make use of personal laptops within the department and whilst studying
on the course.
Attendance
We would like to remind you that as this is a teacher training programme attendance on all
organised sessions is a requirement. Each subject has a course leader who will be your
personal tutor. He or she will be able to advise you on all University procedures and where to
go for help with specific issues such as financial support, accommodation, child care etc.
If there is any further information that you require, or if you have any problems regarding the
course please do not hesitate to contact me using the details below.
Finally, my MFL colleagues join me in wishing you every success on the course and we look
forward to helping you prepare for your new career in teaching.
Shirley Hindley
Secondary Undergraduate MFL Course Leader
hindleys@edgehill.ac.uk
01695 650829