Secondary GTP Initial Subject Audit for MFL
January 2009
Prior knowledge and understanding – complete with subject specialist/head of
department
Candidate ………………………
School ………………… Key Stages …….
Specialist ……………………..
Position ………………..
Key aspect
Subject content: key concepts, skills, topics
and ideas
Four skills areas: listening, speaking, reading,
writing
Language as a means of communication
Listening and reading comprehension skills for
gist, single detail, total understanding
If trainee is a native speaker:
a) an understanding of the difficulties
faced by a non-native speaker, and
b) a good command of English
(including linguistic and pedagogic
specific language)
See also detailed CILT Subject Audit
The relationships within the subject
Links between different languages
Current subject-related issues
New POS at KS3
Position of second MFL
Availability of KS4 Assessment in minority
languages
Number of pupils choosing MFL at KS4
MFL (French) in KS2
MFL within 14-19 framework
Why is the subject in the school curriculum?
Cultural, social & ethical relevance.
Importance of languages to trade and
commerce
Transfer of skills from one MFL to another
Candidate’s knowledge:
very good/good/satisfactory/
insufficient
Action required if
accepted
Understanding of another culture through the
people’s language
Valuing of diversity and difference
Offering opportunities for visits abroad
Subject language/terminology
Ability to understand and use language about
language – eg, parts of speech, time and
tense, clauses, word order
Relevant health & safety issues
Basic classroom safety, use of simple
equipment, eg scissors
Risk assessment etc for visits abroad
Historical context
Historical context, decline of classical
languages, dominance of French
Understanding of world use of MFL (eg
Spanish in South America etc)
Further knowledge, understanding &
attitude
Enthusiasm & love of subject
Love of the language, its use, the countries
where the language is used.
AN excitement about the nature of language,
its origins, how people learn language
Enthusiasm to learn/commitment to CPD
CPD needs already identified (by trainee or
others)
Preparation done for GTP
Previous courses, visits to schools
Some ideas of how pupils learn in the subject
(pedagogy)
Awareness of different learning styles
Consideration of group/pair work, carousels
etc
Any awareness of Assessment for Learning
Links across subjects, especially lit., num. &
ICT
Literacy links – parts of speech, tense,
sentence structure, modelling, writing frames
etc
Numeracy – counting, maths in MFL,
statistics for surveys (bar charts etc)
ICT – www resources, word processing etc
Humanities & Citizenship – background to
countries using MFL, appreciation of different
cultures etc
Knowledge of relevant exam content
Knowledge of levels and assessment at KS3
GCSE and GCE specifications
(Awareness of other assessments available,
language modules as part of other
qualifications)
Overall summary:
Very good
Good
Satisfactory (i.e. sufficient to start the programme)
Insufficient