The Kate Languages Podcast - S3 Ep1 - Using target language and my thoughts on private schools

This was my second Q&A episode for the Kate Languages Podcast. I this episode, I answered two questions from my social media community - the first was about target language use in lessons and the second was about private schools.

To listen to the episode in full, click the "play" button above.

How much target language should you use in a lesson?

First things first, for those who might not know, "target language" is the foreign language you're teaching. So, if you're teaching French, that's your target language.

Now, I hate to break it to you, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer here. It really depends on lots of different factors, with the most important being the students sitting in front of you.

In my experience, especially in schools where behaviour management was a challenge, using too much target language wasn't always the best approach. Some might argue that it forces students to pay attention, but for me, it often felt like things took longer and made it harder to stay in control of the classroom environment.

I found that explaining tasks in English usually got their attention more quickly and allowed for less disruption. This was particularly true when I taught in London schools where behaviour was tough to manage. Reeling off instructions in French? That would've been a recipe for chaos!

That said, it also depends on the age of your students. Some teachers find it easier to use more target language with Year 7s, especially if you introduce it from the beginning. There are definitely opportunities to use the target language for classroom routines, like "come in, sit down, open your books," or taking the register.

One thing I've never done, even at A-level, is teach grammar in the target language. Honestly, I'm not sure I could explain complex grammar points in French myself, let alone get it across to students in a way they'd understand. I recently had a student (who is a fellow MFL teacher) who'd done a course taught entirely in French, and she said that only when I explained grammar in English, did things finally click for her.

So, what are some easy ways to incorporate target language? Classroom routines are a great start. Going through answers can work well too, especially if the questions are already in the target language. For example, if you're doing true/false statements in French, you can discuss them in French: "Numéro un, Bob adore les chats, c'est vrai ou faux?"

At the end of the day, it depends on your students, your own comfort level, and your preferences. If you love using the target language, go for it! But if you're a teacher who's not super confident in the language yourself, don't stress about it. The added pressure isn't worth it.

Be consistent with your approach, whatever you choose. And remember, if you're being observed and the only feedback is "use more target language," you're probably doing pretty well!

Do you have any experience in private schools?

Well, the short answer is no, I don't have direct experience working in private schools. But I'm not going to leave you hanging with just that!

My mum, who was also a languages teacher, actually went to a private school as a student and ended up teaching there at the end of her career. She had some interesting insights about the differences between state and private schools.

One of the main positives in private schools is smaller class sizes. This can be great for teachers - less marking, easier behaviour management, and more individual attention for students. In language classes, it means more speaking time for each student.

Behaviour management tends to be easier in private schools too. Students are often more aware that their parents are paying for their education, which can lead to better behavior. But don't get me wrong - there are still naughty kids in private schools!

Private schools often have more resources and money, which can make a big difference. Having textbooks for every child and access to a wider variety of language options (like Italian, Russian, or Chinese) can be a real plus.

However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Private schools come with their own challenges. Parents can be more demanding, sometimes treating teachers almost like their employees. There might be expectations beyond just teaching, like coaching sports teams.

I remember interviewing at a private school years ago, and they asked which sports team I could coach. I was a bit thrown by that and I still think to this day that was the reason I didn't get the job! Either that or the fact that I didn't accept the glass of wine that was offered to me at lunchtime!

So while behaviour management might be easier and resources more plentiful, the demands on teachers in private schools are different, not necessarily less. They might come more from parents than from senior leadership or Ofsted.

It's worth noting that my knowledge here is second-hand and might be a bit outdated. I'd love to hear from people who've worked in both state and private schools to see if my understanding matches up with current experiences.

In conclusion, whether you're deciding how much target language to use or considering a move to the private sector, there's no one right answer. It all comes down to your specific situation, your students, and what works best for you as a teacher. The most important thing is to be consistent in your approach and always prioritise effective learning for your students.

So, what do you think? Do you have experiences with target language usage or private schools that you'd like to share? I'm always eager to hear different perspectives and learn from other teachers' experiences. Let's keep the conversation going!