Leading a languages department can be rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. Over time, I have found that a few simple principles make a big difference, both for staff wellbeing and for student outcomes. Here are some key tips that have worked well in my role as a Head of Department: Look after your … Read more
“Adaptive teaching” can sometimes feel like a rebrand of differentiation and for many MFL teachers, it comes with the same fear: more planning, more resources, more workload.However, true adaptation in MFL doesn’t mean creating three versions of every worksheet. In fact, some of the most effective adaptive strategies require less prep, not more. Here are … Read more
If your students seem to forget everything you taught them last week, don’t worry, it is not a classroom management issue, and it is definitely not bad teaching. Why is it so hard? Languages are tough on the brain. When a student learns a new word, they have to manage the sound, the spelling, the … Read more
If MFL writing feels like a struggle, for both you and your students, this one small change can make a massive difference. Instead of spending hours writing long comments on every book, try showing students what a great answer actually looks like. Here is how to do it: Show a model answer on the board. … Read more
The new Edexcel GCSE speaking exam places a strong focus on clear communication, spontaneity and confidence. As teachers, our role is to prepare students not just for the format, but for real interaction in the language. Below is a concise overview of each task, with practical classroom tips. Read Aloud Students read a short text … Read more
One of the biggest concerns teachers raise when departments move towards shared resources is this idea: “I don’t want to teach the same lesson as everyone else.”And it is a valid concern, autonomy matters. But sharing resources doesn’t mean cloning teachers. It means creating consistency where it matters most, while protecting professional judgement in the … Read more
January doesn’t need a big reinvention. It is often enough to pick one small thing to tweak: a routine, a class strategy, or a resource you already have. Reuse before you create and take the pressure off yourself. This time of year is tiring, so it is worth resetting expectations rather than energy levels. Consistency … Read more
Hey Folks, I hope you are having a great day! Let’s explore the best destinations for school trips (in my opinion)! Now, I have to admit, I am going to be a little biased here – I am from Granada, so I believe it is the best place for a school trip. But honestly, you … Read more
Hey Folks, Hope you are all well. Today, I would like to talk to you about technology… In our interconnected world, Spanish language teaching benefits from incorporating digital vocabulary that students encounter regularly. Students navigate both physical and digital worlds, with their online language influencing all their communication. Including modern tech terms helps bridge the … Read more
Spanish series are now very popular and Netflix is adding more to its catalogue each time! However, you may be wondering what series your GCSE & A-Level students could watch to improve their Spanish… If that’s the case, I have created a resource with lots of different series for these age ranges! Here I leave … Read more