Teacher CPD · Primary Schools EPV / Summer

Teaching MFL in the Primary Classroom

This course equips primary educators with strategies for delivering modern foreign languages (MFL) through the Facilitator Model, emphasising non-fluent teacher accessibility via digital tools and native-speaker audio. Participants explore curriculum frameworks, resource evaluation, active methodologies like TPR and gamification, CLIL integration, intercultural awareness, and whole-school planning, culminating in practical implementation schemes. (58 words)
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EPV / Summer Course
€79
Enrolment per teacher
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What's included
  • Self paced
  • Online course
  • Step-by-step lessons
  • Certificate from Coding Ireland
Approved by
Drumcondra Education Centre Department of Education

Explore the Course

19 lessons across 5 modules

Participants explore the Primary Curriculum Framework requirements for MFL (Stages 3 and 4) and adopt the 'Language Facilitator' model — a pedagogical approach that helps teachers deliver MFL confidently without needing to be fluent speakers. The module establishes baseline self-efficacy, articulates the difference between Stage 3 multilingual awareness and Stage 4 L3 development, and orients participants to the digital platform as their native-speaker audio partner.

Welcome and Confidence Audit Beginner
The Primary Curriculum Framework for MFL Beginner
The Language Facilitator Model Beginner
The Online Learning Platform as Your Partner Beginner

Participants learn how to navigate, select, and curate high-quality digital resources to scaffold MFL lessons. The module focuses on quality criteria, native-speaker audio strategy, and applying UDL principles so that all audio-visual materials support the learning intention and reach diverse learners — including EAL pupils and learners with SEN.

Evaluating, Selecting & Mapping Resources Beginner
The Native Speaker Audio Strategy Beginner
Differentiation Through Digital Resources Beginner

Participants master active learning methodologies — Total Physical Response, gamified vocabulary practice, and inclusive game design — to create engaging, low-anxiety MFL environments. The module also addresses Stage 3 multilingual awareness activities that draw on classroom home languages.

Total Physical Response in Action
Understanding TPR Beginner
Designing TPR Activities Beginner
Gamification for Language Learning
Gamifying Vocabulary Learning Beginner
Inclusive Game Design Beginner
Stage 3 Multilingual Awareness Activities
Designing Multilingual Awareness Activities Beginner

Participants explore CLIL strategies to integrate target-language vocabulary into other curricular areas, develop pupils' Intercultural Awareness as outlined in the Stage 3 curriculum, and plan how to leverage classroom linguistic diversity by positioning EAL students as language experts.

CLIL in Primary Schools
Understanding CLIL Beginner
Designing CLIL Lessons Beginner
Intercultural Awareness
Intercultural Awareness & Linguistic Diversity Beginner

Participants develop an assessment strategy using European Language Portfolio Can-Do statements, plan timetabling and a First 6 Weeks scheme of work, and apply the SSE process to embed MFL into the whole-school plan. The capstone reflection brings together every strand of the course into a personal implementation plan.

Assessment Approaches: Using the European Language Portfolio
Can-do Assessment & Digital Portfolios Beginner
Finding Time — MFL in the Crowded Curriculum Beginner
Planning and Whole-school Integration
Your First 6 Weeks Plan Beginner
SSE and Whole-school Integration Beginner

Participants explore the Primary Curriculum Framework requirements for MFL (Stages 3 and 4) and adopt the 'Language Facilitator' model — a pedagogical approach that helps teachers deliver MFL confidently without needing to be fluent speakers. The module establishes baseline self-efficacy, articulates the difference between Stage 3 multilingual awareness and Stage 4 L3 development, and orients participants to the digital platform as their native-speaker audio partner.

Welcome and Confidence Audit Beginner
The Primary Curriculum Framework for MFL Beginner
The Language Facilitator Model Beginner
The Online Learning Platform as Your Partner Beginner

Participants learn how to navigate, select, and curate high-quality digital resources to scaffold MFL lessons. The module focuses on quality criteria, native-speaker audio strategy, and applying UDL principles so that all audio-visual materials support the learning intention and reach diverse learners — including EAL pupils and learners with SEN.

Evaluating, Selecting & Mapping Resources Beginner
The Native Speaker Audio Strategy Beginner
Differentiation Through Digital Resources Beginner

Participants master active learning methodologies — Total Physical Response, gamified vocabulary practice, and inclusive game design — to create engaging, low-anxiety MFL environments. The module also addresses Stage 3 multilingual awareness activities that draw on classroom home languages.

Total Physical Response in Action
Understanding TPR Beginner
Designing TPR Activities Beginner
Gamification for Language Learning
Gamifying Vocabulary Learning Beginner
Inclusive Game Design Beginner
Stage 3 Multilingual Awareness Activities
Designing Multilingual Awareness Activities Beginner

Participants explore CLIL strategies to integrate target-language vocabulary into other curricular areas, develop pupils' Intercultural Awareness as outlined in the Stage 3 curriculum, and plan how to leverage classroom linguistic diversity by positioning EAL students as language experts.

CLIL in Primary Schools
Understanding CLIL Beginner
Designing CLIL Lessons Beginner
Intercultural Awareness
Intercultural Awareness & Linguistic Diversity Beginner

Participants develop an assessment strategy using European Language Portfolio Can-Do statements, plan timetabling and a First 6 Weeks scheme of work, and apply the SSE process to embed MFL into the whole-school plan. The capstone reflection brings together every strand of the course into a personal implementation plan.

Assessment Approaches: Using the European Language Portfolio
Can-do Assessment & Digital Portfolios Beginner
Finding Time — MFL in the Crowded Curriculum Beginner
Planning and Whole-school Integration
Your First 6 Weeks Plan Beginner
SSE and Whole-school Integration Beginner

What You'll Learn

Learning Goals

  1. Articulate the principles of the Primary Curriculum Framework for MFL and the Language Facilitator Model to support non-fluent teaching.
  2. Evaluate, select, and align digital and audio resources with curriculum stages, ensuring cultural sensitivity and inclusivity for diverse learners.
  3. Design engaging MFL activities using TPR, gamification, CLIL, and multilingual approaches to foster communicative competence and intercultural awareness.
  4. Apply UDL and differentiation strategies to create accessible MFL experiences, particularly for EAL students and those with SEN.
  5. Develop assessment, planning, and whole-school integration strategies to embed MFL effectively within the primary curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Articulate the principles of the Language Facilitator Model and contrast it with traditional MFL teaching approaches, demonstrating how non-fluent teachers can leverage digital audio and existing Irish-teaching experience.
  2. Evaluate and map digital MFL resources to Primary Curriculum Framework Stages 3 and 4, applying criteria for cultural sensitivity, UDL alignment, and differentiation for EAL and SEN learners.
  3. Design TPR sequences, gamified vocabulary activities, and CLIL lessons that integrate MFL across the curriculum, incorporating native-speaker audio and inclusive adaptations for diverse classrooms.
  4. Develop intercultural awareness activities that position EAL students as experts and utilise home languages, while planning authentic tasks to challenge stereotypes in resources.
  5. Create a 6-week MFL scheme of work, apply can-do assessment via digital portfolios, and propose whole-school integration strategies including SSE processes and parental engagement.

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