Introducing a Modern Foreign Language in your classroom

Explore the rationale for MFL in the Irish context, with a clear understanding of national policy, curriculum expectations and the phased approach to implementation. The course emphasises language awareness, playful learning and meaningful communication, and highlights the value of linguistic and cultural diversity, supporting you to draw on pupils' home languages as a rich resource. Through practical strategies, reflection and planning you'll develop the confidence to create inclusive, engaging language learning for all pupils. A key feature is its strong link to School Self-Evaluation, helping you evaluate current practice, identify priorities and build a realistic, sustainable plan for introducing or progressing MFL in your school.

Course structure

20 hours total: 10 hours online learning plus 10 self-verified hours (module exercises, resources, discussion forum and a reflective learning log). Compulsory elements are two discussion forum posts per module, a reflective learning assignment and a personal learning record. Technical support is provided throughout.

Certification & EPV days

Approved by the Department of Education & Skills for EPV certification, with your start and completion dates printed on the cert. One course earns 3 EPV days, two courses 4 days, three courses 5 days. If you buy more than one, you complete them one at a time.

Duration

Courses run from Wednesday 1st July and must be finished by 5pm on Wednesday 22nd July. Bookings close on 20th July. You work through it in your own time within that window. As per DES criteria you must complete the required hours, and your dates appear on your cert for your EPV days.

1. Understanding MFL in the primary context

Explore the role of Modern Foreign Languages in Irish primary education. Examine key policies including the Primary Curriculum Framework and Languages Connect, and how MFL supports broader competencies such as communication, wellbeing and learner engagement.

2. Language awareness & multilingual classrooms

Examine how linguistic and cultural diversity can be used as a resource for learning. Explore inclusive approaches that value pupils' home languages and promote a positive, plurilingual classroom. Use SSE to reflect on your school's readiness for MFL.

3. Practical, playful teaching approaches

Build language awareness through playful, engaging strategies such as songs, games, storytelling and cross-curricular links. Create print-rich, language-aware environments that foster curiosity and confidence in early language learning.

4. Planning for communication and progression

Develop practical approaches to teaching basic communication skills in a chosen language. Explore progression from awareness to communication, including the use of téamaí, and assessment approaches that support pupil learning and confidence.

5. Whole-school planning, SSE and sustainable practice

Embed MFL within whole-school planning. Use SSE to identify priorities, develop an action plan and ensure sustainable implementation. Consider the role of digital tools, parental involvement and community links in long-term success.