Being a subject leader for primary languages can be highly rewarding, but it also comes with a specific set of challenges. Below, we consider the obstacles facing language subject leaders and offer some top tips to help you excel in your subject leader role.

What are the challenges of being a primary language subject leader?

You may be a language specialist or you may have picked up your language subject leader role for another reason. Whatever your situation is, there are some common issues that primary teachers face in relation to teaching languages:

• Many teaching staff are not linguists; they have limited knowledge of other languages 
• If speaking a foreign language in front of others makes someone feel uncomfortable, it’s demotivating and becomes a barrier to effective teaching 
• In schools where there is or has been a specialist language teacher, other staff have limited language teaching experience
• Learning a language is compulsory only at key stage 2, so does not happen in every class. This makes it more difficult to raise the subject profile within the school or dedicate staff meeting time to languages CPD

Top tips for primary language subject leaders

Whether you are a French subject leader, a Spanish subject leader or a subject leader of another modern foreign language, these recommendations will help you in your role.

Generate enthusiasm

The greatest evidence of the impact of primary language learning can be seen in children. You’ll know when they’ve enjoyed lessons because they will keep trying out new language with you. Pupils will happily wish you a  ‘Buenos dias’ or a ‘Bonjour’ and will love it when you respond to them. If you can create enthusiasm amongst the pupils at your school, there is a good chance it will spread to the adults too. 

As a subject leader, you need to emphasise that language learning is fun, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s fine to learn along with the children.

“The children liked that we were learning together” 

HLTA teaching Spanish at St John’s Catholic Primary School in Bath

Observe lessons

If possible, arrange lesson observations both for yourself and other teaching staff. Observing a lesson will inspire teaching and provide valuable CPD. Ideally, watch lessons by both specialists and non-specialists to demonstrate that you don’t need to be fluent in a language to teach it.

Encourage language lessons in Year 6

As Year 6 pupils prepare for SATs, it’s common for foundation subjects to take a back seat. Don’t let this happen for languages. Children at this age have so much to gain from language lessons:

• Learning a language is fun and provides pupils with a welcome break from more serious SATs lessons
• Language learning reinforces language knowledge serving as discreet SATs grammar revision
• It’s great preparation for high school and will give pupils a headstart for when they are learning a language in key stage 3
• Even if children learn a different language in high school, certain skills, such as identifying cognates, are useful for all languages

Lead by example 

If you are reluctant to teach a foreign language, other people will be too. Once teachers have got over their initial reservations, they usually enjoy teaching languages at key stage 2. Enthusiasm is infectious and spreads!

Keep shouting about languages

All subject leaders require:

• Time to devote to making their subject the best it can be
• The budget to provide high-quality learning resources and support for staff
• Other teaching staff to support them as a leader

Due to restrictions around time and budget, this sometimes seems idealistic, but it isn’t impossible. You need to keep reminding other staff (especially SLT) about the importance of teaching languages.

Join a language network 

Joining a local network is really valuable for a language subject leader. It’s a chance to meet like-minded people from other schools, and sometimes networks provide training. Look out for webinars and join an online community such as a Facebook group for language subject leaders.

Focus on cultural awareness

Learning a language is an opportunity to learn about the culture of other countries. Focusing on cultural awareness is a great way to get the whole school involved in languages (including key stage 1 and EYFS) without the need for much language knowledge. Many schools celebrate European Day of Languages, an annual event on 26th September, and use it as an opportunity to learn about different cultures. 

Here are some French and Spanish lessons that can be used to teach aspects of cultural awareness.

From Kapow Primary French:

• French finger rhymes
• Using shapes like the French artist, Matisse
• Outdoor games in France
• Travel the French-speaking world
• French food
• French-speaking world
• French sport and the Olympics
• Visiting a town in France

From Kapow Primary Spanish:

• Festivities in Spain 
• Gaudi mosaics
• Tiles of the Alhambra
• Spanish numbers 
• Cubism
• The Maya ball game

How do Kapow Primary resources support language subject leaders?

The Kapow Primary French and Spanish schemes are designed to build confidence in all teachers, including non-specialist teachers.  

We provide the following resources to support subject leaders:

Subject leader toolkits 

Our subject leader toolkits for French and Spanish are free to download without a Kapow Primary subscription. 

Both toolkits include:

• Teacher knowledge audit
• Pupil voice questionnaire
• Subject audit for Ofsted
• Staff presentation
• National curriculum coverage document

FREE French subject leader toolkit	FREE Spanish subject leader toolkit

Integrated CPD

Many of our lesson plans include teacher videos that show you exactly what you need to teach. The language that is taught is also featured in pupil videos and our clickable lesson presentations.

Teacher knowledge

You can find key language points in the ‘teacher knowledge’ section of lesson plans. This highlights what you need to know and prepares you for common misconceptions that you might come across as you teach.

Pupil phoneme videos

To help develop accurate pronunciation, we provide pupil phoneme videos with Mouth Mechanics®️. Each video takes a phoneme and models the mouth movements required to pronounce it. Every phoneme is modelled on its own, in words and in sentences. Although created with children in mind, Mouth Mechanics®️ is useful for adults too.

“The French videos are great, just the right length and the presenter was brilliant! I’m not a language specialist and I could really see myself using these. Perfect to have the pronunciation and great tips for children!”

Liz Brown, Headteacher

For a language subject leader, these CPD resources are an ideal way to upskill staff, enabling them to learn as they teach.

Long term plans

Our long-term plans for Spanish and French suggest the order to teach units throughout the year and explain curriculum organisation.

Condensed and mixed-age long-term plans are also available for French.

Assessment resources

To assist subject leaders with assessment, Kapow Primary provides:

• A quiz at the end of every unit
• Knowledge catchers
• Assessment spreadsheets
• Knowledge organisers

Often primary language teaching isn’t prioritised in primary schools. This makes it difficult for a subject leader to develop a robust and effective language curriculum. Teaching languages can take teachers out of their comfort zone, but with appropriate guidance and support from subject leaders, primary MFL can be a timetable highlight for many teaching staff and pupils. 

More Kapow Primary French and Spanish resources

• French Intent, Implementation and Impact
• French National Curriculum coverage
• French progression of skills and knowledge 
• French equipment list
• French key skills and knowledge by unit
• Spanish Intent, Implementation and Impact
• Spanish National Curriculum Coverage
• Spanish progression of skills, knowledge and vocabulary
• Spanish equipment list
• Spanish assessment spreadsheet
• Webinar: Getting started with Spanish