Since we started teaching Modern Foreign Languages at Poplars, I have received a large number of positive comments from parents who have been impressed by their child’s enthusiasm for learning French which has had, in many cases, a very positive impact on the child’s self-esteem and attitude towards school. Several parents have told me that they have been amazed by the amount of language that their child has retained and imparted to them through the songs and games that the children have learnt. All this is consistent with the current findings that link MFL learning with overall improvements in literacy levels in primary schools and is the reason why Modern Foreign Languages now rightly sits within the area for learning entitled ‘English, communications and modern languages’. I would add to this that I have observed significant improvements in a number of children’s level of attention and behaviour during times devoted to MFL.
