Mixed-Age
Primary Languages Planning - A Practical Guide for Small Schools
How can teachers ensure that mixed-aged primary language classes in small schools make substantial progress? Teachers know that the same material should not be taught twice, they know that all pupils should be suitably challenged but ensuring they all make substantial progress can feel like an impossible task. Some of the younger pupils often outperform the older pupils. Never assume that age in foreign language learning is the key differentiating factor.
Are There
Advantages to Teaching a Foreign Language in Teaching Mixed Aged Classes?
Despite the challenges there are also many advantages that can support all pupils in the mixed age delivery model scenario. For example:
- Older pupils share previously learnt knowledge and younger pupils are immediately exposed to a wider range of vocabulary and grammar.
- Speaking develops faster and pupils are more motivated. This also leads to a more ‘dynamic’ learning environment where pupils thrive socially and emotionally, not just academically.
- Teachers are forced to be more aware of adaptive teaching so planning becomes more tailored and resources more differentiated and scaffolded.
Planning for Mixed-Aged Classes
The first steps are always the same when planning straight aged classes. In small school languages planning the following would be the starting points:
- Ensure lessons are weekly
- Ensure lessons are 45-60 minutes
- Ensure the end of primary phase objectives are clear. Which phonemes should be covered? Which non-negotiable vocabulary and which grammar?
- Ensure you have ample resources and materials – more will be required than in straight aged classes as you don’t want any child to be taught the exact same material twice.
All pupils
should be present for the input teaching part of the lesson. There is no need
to divide the class or teach two groups – unless there is a very wide range of
year groups i.e. EYFS -Yr 6 in the same class – which I have seen and
supported!
Lessons
should start with simple, accessible language and include core vocabulary as
much as possible. Presented in a different topic but weaved through
nonetheless. Lessons then build quickly and could have challenge slides that
could be available to all the class and those that are not ready for the
challenge could go straight to the desk-based activities and these too could be
offered with levels of challenge and depth. All pupils are therefore on task
and learning!
Teaching Strategies
The methodology and pedagogy is always the
same – just adapted for mixed aged scenarios.
For example:
- Using multimodality as much as possible when introducing new language
- Encourage more cooperative learning activities
- Encourage more independent learning in a lesson
- Do not focus on age but focus on ability of the pupils
- Ensure pupils have the correct reference and edtech tools to support them
Language Angels uses a variety of tools to
support pupils including Knowledge Organisers, Language Builders, Picture
Vocabulary Sheets, Unit Glossaries, Core Vocabulary Mats not to mention the
recently added Pronunciation Pal. An audio-visual reference tool with dual
coding and English audio as well as the foreign language. For all units on the platform, pupils can refer
back to previously learnt language or double check the meaning of new content.
In and outside of lessons.
In primary languages mixed age teaching, pupils should also be given more open-ended speaking and written tasks. They should always be encouraged to use their reference tools to help them. Pupils that have been exposed to more language could in theory write and extend more. Those that haven’t had such exposure will need reference materials to support them. Two examples of mixed aged French KS2 open tasks could be:
If pupils need support materials then allow them access to high quality, age appropriate reference tools. These can be Unit Glossaries, Language Builders or Picture Vocabulary Sheets. Our Language Angels new addition is the audio visual dictionary Pronunciation Pal. A great edtech tool where pupils can search for the language they need themselves. Creative tasks that encourage independent learning as well as the progression in language learning we are all looking to achieve.
