The Importance of Modern Foreign Languages
Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world in which we live and work. Learning languages contributes to mutual understanding, a sense of global citizenship and personal fulfilment. Pupils learn to appreciate different countries, cultures, communities and people. By making comparisons, they gain insight into their own culture and society. The ability to understand and communicate in another language is a lifelong skill for education, employment and leisure in this country and throughout the world.
Learning languages gives pupils opportunities to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and to express themselves with increasing confidence, independence and creativity. They explore the similarities and differences between other languages and English and learn how language can be manipulated and applied in different ways. The development of communication skills, together with understanding of the structure of language, lay the foundations for future study of other languages and support the development of literacy skills in a pupil's own language.
Key Concepts
There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of languages. Pupils need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding.
- Linguistic competence
- Developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of situations and contexts.
- Applying linguistic knowledge and skills to understand and communicate effectively.
- Knowledge about language
- Understanding how a language works and how to manipulate it.
- Recognising that languages differ but may share common grammatical, syntactical or lexical features.
- Creativity
- Using familiar language for new purposes and in new contexts.
- Using imagination to express thoughts, ideas, experiences and feelings.
- Intercultural understanding
- Appreciating the richness and diversity of other cultures.
- Recognising that there are different ways of seeing the world, and developing an international outlook.
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