MFL teachers- can you share your CA strategies please?

[Howaboutthisone]

I'm just wondering if any MFL teachers could mind sharing with me how they approach preparing pupils for the CAS and CAW at GCSE? Particularly with middle to low ability/mixed ability/work shy classes. I'm struggling to get mine to prep thoroughly and results aren't great when the coursework hasn't been revised thoroughly. I've found the change to the 'new' style coursework challenging with all bar the most motivated top set pupils.

would mind not could mind.

It's worrying how much this in on my mind on a Saturday evening, in the holidays! Not really expecting many responses at this time on the weekend!

Lots of things you can try although I agree that I hate the ca. Can't wait for them to get rid of it!
Get them to write each paragraph on different coloured note cards as the mind can associate colour with ideas. Write it out with first letters only. Get them to write in capitals and underline the difficult words in the paragraph. If it's for speaking, either you or, if you have one, your fla can record it for them (I checked with a chief examiner and this is absolutely fine as long as you only read what they've written and don't correct it) so that they can listen to it to learn it. Mine love to use mini whiteboards to help them learn it.
The biggest thing for me though is to prepare them as thoroughly as possible before stage 2 so that they are so familiar with the topic that they can put bits together even when they've forgotten what they actually wanted to say.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I'm just finding it so difficult. They see how much is expected of them and how difficult that is, and decide to ignore the MFL and focus on other subjects. Thanks for the coloured note cards idea- hadn't thought of that at all. Many years in and I'm having a total crisis of confidence.

How do they use the mini whiteboards? I'm planning to try anything and everything!

Tisy - recording is a a great idea. Was that aqa or edexcel?

It's aqa bug I'm guessing they're all the same - worth checking with an advisor though.
They use the mini whiteboards by writing and rewriting and checking. That way they only go over and over the bits they get wrong - definitely saves on paper!
If you don't have time to record them all (a class of 30 takes forever!) get them to make vokis of them. To slow down the voice, put a full stop after every word.
They do tend to prioritise other things rather than learning a language ca unfortunately. I find letting form tutors and parents know when they are starting stage 2 so they can keep on top of the learning helps too - the more they are badgered about learning it, the more they do!

The Vokis look brilliant! With that I'm thinking that the IT blokes need to put it onto the system and then they can make them and email them to themselves or access them via the website? Thanks so much! I'm happy to record and to use the Vokis alongside. When I work out how to use them...!
For the caw I was thinking dominoes/gap fills?

Dominoes and gap fills are great but I'm not sure how you'd use them for ca's as each student would have to make their own to match their work.

You can save and access your Vokis on the website if I remember correctly.

Yes they'll have to individual sets and it will take time but I'm at the end of my tether so am going to try it all! I figure that if I get them to spend a lesson making them using templates then they'll have a self made revision pack and will be revising while making it. I might be deluded!
Thanks for taking the time to help me with this

Thanks Tisy for you help!????

Does anyone else have any ideas they're happy to share with me?

Make sure parents are on board by dropping them a letter at CA time. They are (usually) willing to help with practising at home for the Speaking. So many parents at Parents Evening tell me how they've 'learnt that bloody thing themselves'!

A Mock Speaking day is helpful if you can get it timetabled.

Thanks! Yes-am planning to send letters home (via post not pupils!) when I set the date. I agree it can help with lots of pupils. Not all in our school unfortunately but definitely a good few.

Also try to liaise with other subjects to check ca's don't clash, giving them more time to concentrate on their mfl!

Sounds like I work in a similar school to you, OP.
We always have the lowest results in the school as there's no getting away from the fact that it's a hard subject with lots of rote learning. Lots of resilience required which our kids sadly lack.

Yes Tisy that's a definite problem- everything seems to be modular at the moment so lots of clashes in year 10 and 11. And constant extra time taken and given to the core subjects.
Definitely leccy- even 'good' kids just see how much time and effort it takes and prioritise other things! Results were so disappointing this year But predictable

Just wondering if there are any more about? I couldn't get on last night so thought I'd ask again!

On mini whiteboards I get them to copy out with every other word missing then see if they can read it filling in the blanks. Then do it the other way around so the words previously missing are written. That often builds confidence.

Another great idea! Thanks for sharing!