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The NC Programme of Study specifies that pupils should:
- Be given experiences which will motivate them and enable them to develop
linguistic and other skills (POS focus statement)
- Be taught to understand the importance of the cultural context of
the language(s) they are learning (POS focus statement)
- Be taught correct pronunciation and intonation (Language Skills 3)
- Develop their knowledge and understanding of other countries and cultures
through communication with native speakers (Cultural Awareness 2), by
considering their own culture or cultures and comparing it with the
cultures of the countries and communities where the target language
is spoken (Cultural Awareness 3), through knowledge of the experiences
and perspectives of people in these countries and communities (Cultural
Awareness 4).
- Be given opportunities to use language for real purposes (Learning
Activities 3)
Pupils at Key Stage 3 are particularly open, in the early stages of their
language studies, to the unique motivation offered by access to the FLA.
It is also in Key Stage 3 that MFL teachers tend to be confronted with
larger classes, making development of individual pupils' speaking skills
problematic. The support of a FLA in the classroom in such situations
is a great asset. Exposure to the pronunciation and intonation of a native
speaker at the early stages of language learning can be a great help when
developing a grasp of the 'sound-spelling link'.
Using the FLA solely or mostly to prepare small groups of pupils for external
oral examinations may not be the most effective use of a valuable resource.
MFL departments must begin to develop their use of FLAs within the classroom
at KS3 if they are to make the most of the potential offered by this exposure
to a living example of the culture of the country in which the language
they are learning is spoken.
The video "Working Together: The Foreign Language Assistant
in the Classroom" produced by the British Council (see page
7 for details of how to order) gives advice on working with the FLA to
ensure best results.
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