MFL Languages

by PlanMySchoolTrip
published 16 September 2026

2 mins read

Are you a Modern Foreign Languages teacher? We work with a handful of established companies who deliver language workshops into schools to help with language teaching, from one off WOW days to get your children excited about learning a new language, to regular sessions to introduce new unit topics. Bringing a workshop into a school to teach Modern Foreign Languages offers an engaging and immersive experience that can significantly boost your students' language and literacy skills.

For younger pupils in Early Years and KS1, while languages are not a core subject they are often taught, and rightly so. Young children are like sponges and have a fantastic ability to absorb language. They also lack the inhibitions that older children develop when asked to speak a language they lack confidence in.

The value of language learning before KS3 is well known but the curriculum only promotes languages at KS2. Whether due to time constraints or a skills shortage, an MFL workshop provider can help fill the gap and give your cohort a great introduction to modern foreign languages.

French and Spanish can be taught through lively, practical activities that give children the opportunity to listen and, speak, and read and write. Stories and drama are a great starting point. Your pupils could learn a simple version of The Three Musketeers in French or Don Quijote in Spanish, then act out a short scene using key phrases, props and costumes. Picture cards, sentence starters and pronunciation practice can support these activities.

- Storytelling: Read a short story in the language of choice. Children can predict what happens next, match words to pictures, or retell the story using some familiar phrases.
- Role-play: Set up a French cafe or Spanish market. Pupils practise greetings and order food, asking the prices of things and saying thank you.
- Songs and chants: Songs are a great way to learn languages. They could use rhymes to practise basic vocab like numbers and days of the week.
- Language games: Games like bingo, or 'Simon Says' can introduce simple vocabulary.
- Culture projects: Explore festivals or a famous place in the country of choice. As part of the task your pupils could create a poster using simple language.

These activities can be adapted to different ages and confidence levels. Repeating useful words and phrases in meaningful contexts helps pupils build vocabulary, improve pronunciation and become more confident using another language.

For older students at KS2 and beyond, an MFL performance that incorporates drama and storytelling can provide a platform to practice listening and speaking skills in a lively setting. These performances demonstrate how accessible and enjoyable learning a new language can be, inspiring students to use the language themselves. The workshops we feature often include performances of well-known stories, allowing students to hear excellent spoken language in a natural context, all helping with their pronunciation and comprehension. Teachers have the opportunity to observe their students' progress firsthand and identify areas for further development, making these workshops a valuable complement to classroom learning.

In addition to the traditional big three European languages of French, Spanish and German, schools are increasingly exploring workshops in languages like Mandarin and Italian. Tailored to different levels, you can ask for workshops to help revise vocabulary, prepare for oral exams, or explore specific themes such as shopping or sports. The use of games and role play creates a fun environment where students are motivated to participate and learn.

Specialist Language Workshops
Bringing a specialist workshop into a school can complement your day-to-day teaching by giving pupils a fresh experience. Not all primary schools are lucky enough to have a specialist language teacher. A visiting language practitioner may bring particular expertise, resources and cultural knowledge that are difficult to provide in your standard classroom lessons.

A visiting workshop can give new life to a topic and capture pupils' attention through a change of pace and a different voice.

They may have specialist experience in drama, storytelling, music or language teaching, and know how to use these methods to encourage participation in language learning.

They may have authentic cultural perspectives and be able to share personal insights, helping pupils understand that languages like Spanish and French are spoken in different communities throughout the world.

Let us know which language you would like to hear more about below and we can send you more information.