Modern Languages Research and Developments
This page brings together some research and developments related to modern languages both in the curriculum and in qualifications.
Please note that each report and presentation reflects its time of publication, and some details may since have changed. For links to our current curriculum resources and qualifications in the area of modern languages, see Languages for Life and Work.
Report on the Future of Languages (2022)
The CCEA Future of Modern Languages Project was set up to provide strategic direction for CCEA on its modern languages (French, German, Irish and Spanish) across the key stages. This report sets out its findings. It includes a review of recent reports on languages in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, as well as research into best practice and successful strategies for the languages curriculum and assessment. In the appendices, you’ll find a summary of feedback received from young people on their language-learning experiences.
Supporting Progression Pathways for Learners Symposium (2019)
CCEA facilitated a half day Symposium for Modern Languages on 12 March 2019. The event brought together almost 60 practitioners, academics, policy makers, CCEA Committee, Council and staff members, and stakeholders to:
- consider the current status of modern foreign languages (MFL) in our schools;
- explore challenges and trends; and
- identify a range of potential strategies to promote the benefits of learning languages and increase uptake and interest.
Participants had the opportunity to hear from Dr Ana Kerr (CCEA Council), Professor Janice Carruthers (QUB), Jayne FitzGerald, Esther Martin and Ruth Kennedy (CCEA), who provided insights into current research and policy development in this field as well as trends across the UK and CCEA developments. Dearbhaile Mulholland (Powerscreen/Terex) spoke about the benefits of having languages skills from an employers’/industry perspective, and participants also heard from Sharon Lamont (Principal, Millburn Primary School) and Carol McCann (Principal, St Dominic’s Grammar School), who have developed strategies and practice in different areas to address the issue of engaging children and young people in the learning of modern languages.
These inputs were followed by engagement in two rounds of discussions about the issues above and feedback resulted in the recommendations outlined below. You can view a summary of participants' feedback:
Recommendations
- Promote the advantages/need for learning modern languages in collaboration with DE and other policy providers;
- Modernise/Update the CCEA languages specifications and resources, and review CCEA’s languages portfolio (e.g. consider offering additional languages; develop qualifications to complement vocational routes);
- Review the difficulty/grading of current languages examinations offered by CCEA and address perceptions;
- Develop the Modern Languages Progression Pathway as a framework that shows available provisions and how these support teaching and learning across all key stages, and is linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an international standard for describing language ability;
- Provide languages teaching and learning support for Primary schools, for example in form of a (non-statutory) curriculum or example schemes of work;
- Consider forms of certification at Primary and Key Stage 3, and languages learning opportunities for all learners;
- Continue stakeholder and customer support, engagement and associated internal and external communication and facilitate links between schools, industry and universities (for example via an online languages portal).
Next Steps
CCEA will:
- further explore the points raised re supporting the promotion of modern foreign languages in Primary schools and at Key Stages 3 and 4;
- work with other agencies on the suggestion to bring schools, industry and other providers together to share practice and support careers advice;
- consider how recommendations from this event may be integrated into CCEA’s qualifications and other MFL support provisions development opportunities.
CCEA will consider the implications of these recommendations and subsequently implement an agreed action plan.