These two
Teachers TV programmes explore strategies for incorporating Assessment for Learning (AfL) into the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) classroom, with a particular focus on peer assessment. Building on the research by Black and Wiliam, published in 1998, this has been a key focus of the National Strategy (e.g. Module 1 of the Training materials for the foundation subjects, 2002). The message in both programmes, from two schools, is that, when embedded in practice, AfL improves pupils’ independence and confidence in knowing how to progress in MFL.
Teachers in both schools demonstrate a range of techniques in action, covering all four Attainment Targets, as well as the pupil training required for them to benefit from assessing each other’s work. For this, they need to understand expectations, success criteria, and ways in which work can be improved. It is suggested that, in order to encourage objective assessment, pairs of pupils need to be regularly changed. However, not all of the techniques involve pairwork; the analysis of texts is shown as both a whole class and pupil-centred activity.
There are other aspects of good MFL practice which are demonstrated in the programmes, including the use of the interactive blackboard in analysing a text, and opportunities for pupils to self-evaluate at the end of a lesson. Although most of the interactions (teacher-pupil and pupil-pupil) are shown to be in English, there are one or two examples of effective use of the target language, which demonstrate what can be achieved with careful planning and preparation.
Reviewed by:
Sue Field
Download this programme from the Teachers TV website