Thread: When I completed my PGCE, I was always told that textbooks are resources, they are starting points, not the holy grail. It is the teacher that decides how to teach. Don't blame the textbook - you know how to teach, use it as a guide. Select what is relevant 1/6

...miss out what is not. Decide what fits in to your curriculum as a department. Have lots of resources, don't believe those that tell you that theirs is the right way, and that everything you're doing is wrong. Plenty of experts are out there bad mouthing the status quo 2/6

but remember that these people in the main no longer teach the sorts of classes you teach. If you know your stuff, are engaging and passionate about MFL, you can succeed. How do I know this? 25 years of experience, of teaching, working with teachers, training teachers 3/6

and using the widest range of resources open to me. If it wasn't there, I created it or worked with others who did the same. I get to see lots of excellent teachers, each one doing it their way, each one getting positive outcomes, each one making a difference. 4/6

Yes, there is much to be improved in the MFL experience in schools, but there is not one silver bullet. It may require change at a curricular level, and at an assessment level, certainly more input from those at the chalkface, and not self-appointed experts who have money to 5/6

make by criticising the work of others with as much or more experience in the classroom. There are a number of ways to skin a cat, so stick to what you believe in! Have a great half-term everybody.