Working with adults other than teachers
Languages support
Papers & recommended reading | Editorial reviews | Task for trainees
Focus
In no other area of the curriculum, it might be argued, is the pupil so
dependent on the subject input and language modelled by the teacher as in
MFL; to such an extent, that reference to other voices and sources of the
target language, and knowledge about it, is highly desirable. To this end,
the ITT / ITE programme should include reference to sourcing, managing and
utilising the skills of foreign language assistants, and classroom assistants
or volunteers who are speakers of the target language., catering for pupils
with English as an Additional Language (EAL), effective differentiation,
obtaining a working knowledge of teachers' general management responsibilities
and the role and extent of the responsibilities of language support staff,
and planning in teams.
By learning to maximise the potential this group of adults offers, the student
teacher should bring additional benefit to the pupil learning experience
and his/her own subject knowledge.
Study of this topic has the potential to address aspects of the following range of QTS standards, depending on the trainer’s particular emphases:
| Professional attributes | |
| Frameworks |
Q3 (b) |
| Communicating
and working with others |
Q4, Q5, Q6 |
| Personal professional development | Q7, Q8, Q9 |
| Professional knowledge and understanding | |
| Teaching and learning |
Q10 |
| Subjects and curriculum |
Q14, Q15 |
| Achievement
and diversity |
Q18, Q19, Q20 |
| Professional skills | |
| Planning | Q22 |
| Teaching | Q25 (a) |
| Reviewing teaching and learning | Q29 |
| Learning environment | Q30 |
| Team work and collaboration | Q32, Q33 |
Task for trainees
Group discussion
List all the ways in which your teaching might benefit from access to a
Foreign Languages Assistant, and source literature from the library which
offers advice and guidance on their effective deployment.
Observation focus
Arrange to observe how an experienced colleague utilises the foreign language
assistant's skills in the classroom.
Check your planning
If you have the benefit of a foreign languages assistant for any lessons
in your immediate timetable, can you include him/her in the planning process
to make the teaching and learning more effective?
