Raising the profile of languages is key to increasing student uptake and gaining more funding for the subject.
That was the conclusion reached by Modern Languages teachers and a panel of subject specialists at the PTI Summer Residential in June. Here are their top ideas for challenging misconceptions about languages and raising their profile across the whole school:
1. Invade the curriculum
Cross-curricular activities don't have to be difficult to achieve. You can generate easy short-term links, for example by getting students to look at French sources for their Geography projects or German sources in History.
2. Find exciting ambassadors
Show students the importance of languages beyond school and beyond exams by inviting significant outsiders to talk about how learning languages have opened up opportunities for work and travel. Academics and postgraduates have impact agendas to fulfil and often make willing speakers. One school had their kids enthralled by a guest from GCHQ who spoke (without revealing too many secrets) about the need for languages in life as a spy.
3. Highlight the benefits
Students' subject choices are often driven by thoughts of their future careers. Let them know how much large companies stress the importance of languages, and value intercultural agility and flexibility in this global landscape. Neurolinguistic studies also show that learning languages has cognitive benefits and can strengthen mathematical ability.
4. Generate real-life interactions
This can be as complicated as organising an exchange or as simple as getting in email contact with another teacher abroad. Digital links can lead to twin projects that show pupils how languages can create real-life interactions that culminate in something tangible. This can raise pupils' awareness of how much we share with others across the world, giving a broad view of humanity itself. As a starting point, try letting students share their favourite music with each other.
5. Get into primaries
Improving your links with local primary schools can help to motivate your new Year 7s. The more you know about what they've already studied, the more you can build on it rather than taking everyone right back to the beginning. You could also help your primary colleagues by inviting them to observe your lessons.
6. Celebrate your successes, however small
Department websites, social media, notice-boards and newsletters can be used to celebrate your stories, however small they might seem. This can help to demonstrate the value of your subject to senior leaders, pupils and parents.
7. Make use of what you've got
Sixth Formers or Year 11s can be useful ambassadors and help make the subject 'cool' for younger students. Or you might have non-MFL colleagues who speak a whole myriad of languages and can give taster lessons. You never know what you might find right there in your school if you just ask around!
These ideas came from delegates and panellists at our Modern Languages Summer Residential in June 2016. You can see what else they talked about and find even more great ideas in the conference report.