This programme discovers how Diana Harrison, head of MFLs at Beckfoot School, and her colleagues have encouraged more students to take up language GCSEs.
Diana and her colleagues explain their idea of taking advantage of the enthusiasm for languages in years 7, 8 and 9 and how, with the backing of parents and the school's management team, the MFL department introduced the new fast track approach.
The teachers and headteacher discuss the success of the trial year and the merits of the project on the whole. They agree that one of the benefits of the scheme is that many pupils, regardless of ability, are on course to gain at least one GCSE before leaving school. They also feel that many pupils have been encouraged to take up other languages as a direct result of fast-tracking.
