NACELL best practice guide

Smooth transition to secondary

Foreign language teaching in the primary school is of value in itself, but it also needs to connect with programmes in the secondary school. Schools are aiming to achieve continuity in both language acquisition and the methodology of language teaching as pupils move from one stage of education to the next.

Partnership with secondary schools

In order to ensure pupils' continuity of learning when they transfer to secondary schools, there needs to be effective planning at an early stage, involving both primary and secondary schools. Schools might develop a co-ordinated programme with shared perspectives and transfer of information, e.g. use of the European Language Portfolio or Record of Achievement. Secondary schools need reliable information about pupils' attainment. Primary schools need to work with secondary schools to share information about curriculum planning and pupils' achievement. Transfer records are helpful when they refer to pupils' progress in the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing and also relate to the National Curriculum levels.

The above is based on QCA/DfES Teacher's guide Scheme of work for MFL (pdf document).

In order to ensure continuity and progression from class to class, schools might devise and instigate a development plan for the teaching of the MFL addressing, for example:

• linguistic progression;
• the sustainability of language teaching throughout the school;
• the provision of staff;
• the provision of resources;
• in-service training and staff development, including language 'refresher' courses;
• collaboration with secondary schools.

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The following files are available to download in PDF format:

• Guidance on transition
  Inspection and Advisory Service, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames LEA
• Planning for continuity and progression: a bridging unit for Years 6–7
  International Learning and Research Centre, South Gloucestershire LEA
• Using the European Language Portfolio
  London Borough of Richmond upon Thames LEA; Liverpool Education and Lifelong Learning Service