Language Upskilling for primary school teachers - French course

CEFR entry level:  

Delivery:  

20 hours online 
(2 hours per week, 10 weeks)   

4-hour in-person workshop: 
Saturday 17 May (in-person in UL)  

Course dates:  

 Week 01: Thursday 3 April 

Week 02: Thursday10 April 

Week 03: Thursday 1st May 

Week 04: Thursday 8 May 

Week 05: Thursday 15 May (online) + Saturday 17 May (in-person) 

Week 06: Thursday 22 May 

Week 07: Thursday 22 May 

Week 08: Thursday 5 June 

Week 09: Thursday 12 June 

Week 10: Thursday 19 June 

Total course duration (in hours):  

Takeaway material:  

Slides, worksheets (digital material) 

Photocopies (face-to-face workshops) 

Learning outcomes in focus:  

• Enhance teachers’ linguistic competence in French, focusing on the development of skills at A2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• Enable teachers to use French in the classroom, facilitating communication with peers and instructors in both structured and spontaneous contexts in a variety of basic everyday topics.
• Foster confidence in teachers to actively use French in teaching, with an emphasis on modelling authentic language use, giving instructions, and engaging students in meaningful language practice.
• Equip teachers with knowledge of the cultural aspects of the French-speaking countries and demonstrate how to integrate cultural content (e.g., traditions, customs, and societal contexts) into language lessons, enhancing the language learning experience beyond linguistic competence.
• Encourage teachers to view language learning as a lifelong journey, promoting continuous professional development in language acquisition and teaching methodologies as well developing their own personal learning strategies.
• Prepare teachers to implement MFL learning outcomes within the broader curriculum context, including cross-curricular links with literacy, numeracy, and other subject areas.
• Support teachers in adapting their language teaching practices to meet the diverse needs of primary school students, including differentiated instruction and inclusive teaching strategies. 

Proposed methodology:  

Classes will be interactive, and activities will be varied giving intensive practice in all language skills with an emphasis on speaking and listening. Active participation in the classroom will be expected. Material used in class will be drawn from a variety of sources, including the textbook and online resources. Self-directed learning in the form of strengthening activities will be highly encouraged.  

Sample of activities:  

Listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral practice, role-plays, games, songs, grammar and vocabulary activities, pronunciation exercises, etc.