Dawn Reardon, SIL MFL Lead, introduces the Primary MFL Pathway Award - a perfect starting point for schools in the early stages of developing language provision.
“At SIL, we believe language learning and meaningful and cultural experiences have the power to broaden horizons, ignite curiosity and enrich lives.
Our team live and breathe languages and support settings across the region to elevate the status of languages, develop pedagogy and build capacity.
Whether you're in the early stages of developing language provision or looking to showcase the fantastic practice already taking place, our Primary MFL Awards offer a supportive, structured and celebratory approach to language learning.
Starting your MFL journey?
The Primary MFL Pathway Award is the perfect starting point.
It’s designed to evaluate, celebrate and support your first steps by recognising early achievements and emerging good practice.
It will build confidence in planning and teaching and provide constructive feedback to move forward with confidence.
The process includes a short application and submitting a digital portfolio.
You will receive a written report with suggested next steps and both a certificate and digital logo on successful completion.
The Pathway Award will place you firmly on the route towards embedding languages and accessing the next stage, the Primary MFL Quality Mark.
Already ready to celebrate?
If your practice is more established and you’re ready to have external verification of the impact you’re making, the Primary MFL Quality Mark is your next milestone.
It enables you to demonstrate the impact of your language provision and celebrate success with children, staff and the wider school community.
It also supports you to strengthen leadership and strategic vision and secure the statutory requirements of the KS2 Programme of Study.
A half‑day evaluation (remote or in‑person) reflects on your evidence portfolio and explores a range of themes, including curriculum, teaching, subject leadership, cultural awareness and assessment.
You receive a written report with the next steps, and a successful assessment provides you with a certificate and a digital logo to proudly display.
Both MFL awards provide:
- A fully guided process
- A clear framework for high‑quality MFL in primary
- Recognition of achievements at every stage
- Professional feedback from experienced language specialists
- A structured route for improvement
- Celebration for the whole school community
Languages open doors, spark curiosity and broaden understanding of the world.
Let SIL support you celebrate building a sustainable, ambitious and joyful MFL offer for your learners.”
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