Any MFL teachers out there?

[ReturningTeacher]

Hello there
Looking for advice from any secondary MFL teachers.
I am returning to the classroom after many years out of teaching.
I am of an age where teaching MFL used to be performing almost...(flashcards, props, singing, role play, cafe, cross-curricular drama and design, weather forecasts, fashion shows etc you used to be able to make it very creative. Children had separate vocab books and would write the language lists down with the English and/or a picture. Lots of drilling of vocab and games. I know, I'm ancient!). Greetings in the TL etc Much of that seems to have been replaced by task-orientated independent learning, vocabulary and phrases given out for rote learning and consolidation via technology or teaching to the text as there is so much to get through.
I am a little daunted by the changes and am currently gripped by The Fear.
Should I just jump straight in and take on a temporary contract, relearn by doing and not worry whether the lessons feel a bit 'dry' and simply follow the textbook as directed?
How do you currently plan your lessons and resources and what tips do you have for really engaging demotivated/reluctant learners or for filling in gaps in their knowledge. Any tips or advice very much welcome.
Thank you in advance

You are right, things have changed. I think my HOD would walk me out of the building if I put on a fashion show!
It doesn’t have to be dry, though. We still do games and singing, but there will have to be a very clear objective behind it. Every school and department is different as well.
Have a look at how Michaela teach French as well as the Gianfranco Conti and Steve Smith method. There is definitely some fun in there, but also lots of learning and making languages accessible for all students.
If you have the time, go and visit a school!

It has changed a lot since I started in 2004. I still love it though although I think the GCSE is not fit for purpose - far too many tricks and traps.
Danielle Warren has a good book just out, and Gianfranco Contis books are excellent.
Plenty of short term work available , jump in, try a few schools - welcome back, we need you!

Thank you both. I am popping into a school this week but I am just struggling to get a handle on everything that is so new to me, mainly the technology side. I need a refresher on sims and interactive whiteboards, it all feels very very alien as they were coming in as I was going out so I am rusty obsolete I will look up those authors and keep my chin up I have transferable skills too, right?! wrong

Pen is this what you meant?
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-michaela-method.html
the fashion show and weather forecasts were awesome - I filmed them on camcorder giving me paragraph on what they were wearing with 2unlimited get ready for this in the background and weather forecasts were filmed outside with props. Oh happy days. I know
leccy can you give me examples of what you meant by tricks and traps?
Thanks in advance

You might have just skipped the interactive whiteboard phase, Returning! I only trained 4 years ago (but I’m old) and have never used the interactiveness of a board! Have you heard of visualisers, though? They are newfangled OHPs where you can model in real time.

Get yourself onto Facebook and join some teaching groups, eg Secondary MFL Matters and Global Innovative Language Teachers. It’s the new tes where resources are shared freely.