Product reviews for Fun Learning Activities for Modern Foreign Languages

The first chapter of the book charts the development of the author's personal philosophy with sound and relevant reference to a range of professional literature. Through the account of his learning journey we see where the rationale for the ideas resented originated. Where necessary, he is not afraid to challenge some of the -˜preferred learning styles' and received wisdom which have been prevalent in the MFL classroom for some considerable time! He also links his strategies to the Ofsted framework, showing that the activities in the book will promote the level of pupil engagement which is often found lacking in MFL lessons. He also provides some food for thought about the perhaps misunderstood concept of independent learning and engages with the idea of mastery, i.e. ensuring that learners have sufficient depth of knowledge. This concept of mastery has underpinned changes to the National Curriculum programmes of study including the removal of levels from most subjects, so it could perhaps have been explored in more depth.

A wide range of VFLAs and FLAs are presented in the book. The definition of these as -˜activities' rather than -˜games' is helpful; the author rightly argues that pupils must be aware that their learning is of more importance than -˜having fun'. The activities are presented in a clearly understandable format with examples and exemplar resources provided. They are simple, doable and highly engaging. The author has thought carefully about the problem with many language activities; i.e. that they involve a few students and allow the rest to be passive. He has -˜tweaked' some familiar activities in such a way as to involve all learners.  He has also thought carefully about how to make group and pair work both purposeful and engaging so that pupils are more likely to stay on task. Some of the activities involve students giving each other feedback; this is an aspect of formative assessment which can often end up a something perfunctory and unfocussed. Feedback activities presented in the book ensure that pupils can work on this in an engaging and meaningful way. 

This book gets a big thumbs up from me and I would be happy to recommend it. A wealth of ideas to increase enjoyment, engagement and, most importantly, to enhance learning. 



A great addition to the MFL library. I will put it on the reading list for our students.