The Kate Languages Podcast - S5 Ep6 Teaching Phonics in MFL

Teaching Phonics in MFL: Beyond Simple Pronunciation

Here is a summary of the final episode of Season 5 of The Kate Languages Podcast. To listen to the full episode, click "play" above.

In this episode, I explored a crucial aspect of language teaching that's gaining renewed importance: teaching phonics in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL). This topic is particularly timely with the introduction of explicit phonics testing in the new GCSE curriculum, first teaching September 2024, with initial examinations in June 2026.

Redefining Phonics in Language Teaching

Many teachers associate phonics solely with early reading instruction for young children. However, in the context of MFL, phonics - or Sound Symbol Correspondence (SSC) - represents something much broader and more fundamental. To understand this concept better, it's helpful to first clarify what phonics is not.

1. Teaching phonics is not simply teaching students how to pronounce individual words. This distinction was something of a revelation to me recently. While traditional pronunciation teaching might focus on drilling specific vocabulary items, phonics involves understanding the relationship between sounds and their various written representations. For instance, in French, the 'o' sound can be spelled several ways: 'o', 'au', 'eau', or 'eaux'. By focusing on the sound first and then exploring its different spellings, students develop a more comprehensive understanding that they can apply across multiple words.
2. Phonics is not something to cover in a few lessons at the start of Year 7 (or whenever your learners first begin their language learning journey). While I'll admit to having taken this approach myself in the past, my thinking has evolved significantly. Rather than treating phonics as a brief introduction to language learning, it should be woven throughout the entire curriculum.
3. Phonics should not be treated as an add-on or separate component of language teaching. It should be fully integrated into your everyday teaching practice. This integration becomes particularly valuable when considering aspects like spelling accuracy. For example, understanding that in Spanish, 'z' is never followed by 'e' helps students avoid common spelling errors and better grasp the language's internal logic.

So, what *should* we do instead?

Focus on one particular SSC per week or fortnight, depending on your teaching schedule. This focus should align with your current vocabulary and teaching content, highlighting sounds that appear frequently in the material you're covering. This systematic approach allows for deeper understanding and practice of each sound pattern.

When it comes to correction, it's important to maintain a balance. Focus primarily on the specific sound you're currently teaching, along with recent focus sounds, rather than trying to correct every pronunciation error. This targeted approach helps prevent students from feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

There are numerous engaging ways to incorporate phonics into your lessons. Word play activities, such as finding rhyming words or identifying words with similar sound patterns, can make learning both fun and effective. This is particularly important in languages like French, where words that rhyme might have different spellings.

Looking Ahead: Practical Implementation

As we prepare for the new GCSE requirements, it's worth considering how to effectively implement phonics teaching in your classroom. Some practical suggestions include:

- Incorporating regular rhyming activities
- Using poems and songs to highlight sound patterns
- Practicing dictation and read-aloud exercises
- Working with minimal pairs (similar-sounding words)
- Integrating phonics focus into weekly vocabulary work

The key is to make these activities regular, purposeful, and engaging rather than treating them as separate from your main teaching.

This approach to phonics teaching represents a significant shift for many UK-based teachers, particularly those who, like myself, weren't taught languages this way. However, the benefits extend far beyond exam preparation. A solid understanding of sound-symbol correspondence can enhance students' confidence, improve their pronunciation, and support their overall language development.

Whether you're teaching in the UK and preparing for the new GCSE requirements, or teaching languages elsewhere in the world, incorporating systematic phonics instruction into your teaching can significantly enhance your students' language learning experience.

Learn more about my approach to teaching phonics by watching recordings of my online CPD workshops. You can purchase them here and here.