The Kate Languages Podcast - S3 Ep3 - Sensitive topics in MFL

I recorded this episode shortly after the death of the Queen, but I think that the topics discussed in the episode are relevant at any time. It's so important to consider our students' backgrounds and family situations when planning our MFL curriculum, and this episode outlines some ways in which you can do that.

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

Family: Treading Carefully on Personal Ground

First up, let's chat about family. Now, teaching family vocabulary is crucial - it's everyday language and a brilliant opportunity to introduce masculine and feminine concepts. But here's the rub: family life isn't all sunshine and roses for everyone.

Some of our students might have experienced recent bereavements or even lost family members when they were younger. Others might be dealing with divorcing parents, tricky relationships with siblings, or living in foster care. The list goes on, and it's a minefield we need to navigate carefully.

So, how do we teach this essential vocabulary without stepping on any toes? Here are a few ideas:

1. Use made-up families: Some textbooks follow fictional families throughout, which is a lovely way to introduce the vocabulary without getting personal.
2. Famous families: This can work well, but choose wisely. The Simpsons might be too dated, the Kardashians might not interest everyone, and the Royal Family might be a bit sensitive right now.
3. Get to know your class: Find out what they're interested in and plan your lessons around that. Who are the famous people or families they're keen on?

Remember, the goal is to teach the vocabulary while being mindful of your students' diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Holidays: Not Everyone's Cup of Tea

Next up, holidays. This is another topic that can be a bit of a minefield. When I was at school, we were often asked about our summer holidays. For me, that was fine - we usually went to Spain, and my teacher parents were off work. But for many students, this could be a tricky subject.

Some might have been stuck at home all summer, others might have never been on a foreign holiday, and with the cost of living crisis, many families are really struggling financially. The concept of flying abroad or staying in hotels might be completely alien to some of our students.

So, how can we tackle this topic sensitively? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Plan a dream holiday: Use travel brochures or websites to let students plan an imaginary trip. They can discuss how they'd get there, where they'd stay, and what activities they'd do.
2. Famous person roleplay: Have students imagine they're a celebrity planning an extravagant holiday. This allows them to be creative without getting personal.
3. Explore target language countries: Teach about typical holiday resorts in France, Spain, or Germany. This combines language learning with cultural education.

Remember, some students might need extra support and scaffolding if these concepts are unfamiliar. Never be cross with a child who doesn't understand the idea of flying or staying in a hotel - it might simply be outside their experience.

Houses: Home Sweet Home?

Talking about houses can be another sensitive area. I learned this early in my career when a student asked me how to say, "My bedroom is also the living room" in French. It was a real eye-opener.

Some students might feel embarrassed about their homes, whether they're very large or very small. Others might be living in temporary accommodation, with relatives, or in foster care. Some might split their time between two homes due to divorced parents.

Here are some ways to approach this topic sensitively:

1. Use fictional houses: Look at property websites or estate agent brochures and describe those houses instead of personal ones.
2. Explore homes in target language countries: This is a great opportunity to learn about different types of housing in France, Germany, or Spain.
3. Use floor plans: This allows students to describe rooms and layouts without getting personal.

The key is to provide the necessary vocabulary and structures without putting anyone on the spot about their living situation.

Celebrations: Festive Sensitivity

Celebrations are another area where we need to tread carefully. While it's fine to focus on Christmas and Easter, given that they're national holidays in the UK and many target language countries, we must remember that our students come from diverse backgrounds with different religious and cultural practices.

Here's how we can approach this topic:

1. Learn about your students: Find out what celebrations are important to them and their families.
2. Incorporate diverse celebrations: Prepare information about various festivals and celebrations in the target language.
3. Cultural comparisons: Use this as an opportunity to compare celebrations in the target language countries with those in the UK and in your students' home cultures.

The goal is to be inclusive and respectful of all traditions while still teaching the relevant vocabulary and cultural knowledge.

Food and Restaurants: A Tasty but Tricky Topic

Food might seem like a fun and harmless topic, but it can be surprisingly sensitive. This could be due to eating disorders, weight issues, food allergies, or dietary choices like vegetarianism or veganism.

Moreover, the experience of dining out in a restaurant might be completely alien to some students. Here's how we can handle this topic:

1. Be aware of allergies: If you're doing food tastings, be mindful of common allergies and try to provide alternatives.
2. Trigger warnings: If discussing potentially sensitive topics like exotic foods or eating habits, give students a heads up.
3. Cultural education: Use this as an opportunity to teach about different culinary traditions, emphasising that 'different' doesn't mean 'wrong'.
4. Restaurant role-play: Provide plenty of input about how restaurants work before asking students to participate in role-plays.

Remember, some students might never have been to a restaurant, so don't assume prior knowledge. Videos of people ordering food in the target language can be really helpful here.

Social Issues: Treading on Eggshells

Finally, let's talk about social issues. These topics are often included in exam syllabi, particularly by AQA, and can include sensitive subjects like homelessness, unemployment, drug addiction, and alcoholism.

These topics are particularly challenging because they're harder to detach from personal experiences. Here's how we can approach them:

1. Use newspaper articles: This allows you to discuss these issues as societal problems rather than personal experiences.
2. Trigger warnings: Give students a heads up when you're about to discuss potentially upsetting topics.
3. Individual check-ins: If you're aware of students who might find certain topics difficult, speak to them privately beforehand.
4. Provide support: Make sure students know where they can get support if these topics bring up difficult feelings.

Remember, while we need to teach this vocabulary for exams, we must balance this with sensitivity to our students' diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, teaching MFL involves much more than just vocabulary and grammar. We need to be constantly aware of the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students, handling potentially sensitive topics with care and consideration.

This list is by no means exhaustive. There are many other sensitive topics that we might encounter in our MFL classrooms, such as gender identity, which require even more nuanced approaches.

Remember, the key to handling sensitive topics is awareness, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt our teaching to suit the needs of our students. By doing so, we can create a safe and inclusive environment where all students feel comfortable learning and practicing their language skills.