The Kate Languages Blog

The New MFL GCSE: What to Expect in 2026

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I talked you through the new Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) GCSE. With first teaching starting in September 2024 and first examinations in May/June 2026, it may have seemed a little way off when I recorded this ...

Social Media for Teachers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I explored the positives, the negatives, and yes, even the downright ugly aspects of social media in the world of education. 

My feelings about social media have evolved a little since I recor...

Q&A Episode 3 - my thoughts on the new GCSE and who was my favourite teacher?!

This was my third Q&A episode, in which I answered a couple of questions about the new MFL GCSEs (first exams 2026) and a couple of fun questions about my favourite teacher and an interesting place I've used my languages...

I recorded this episode shortly after the death of the Queen, but I think that the topics discussed in the episode are relevant at any time. It's so important to consider our students' backgrounds and family situations when planning our MFL curriculum, and this episode outlines some ways in which yo...

This was my second Q&A episode for the Kate Languages Podcast. I this episode, I answered two questions from my social media community - the first was about target language use in lessons and the second was about private schools.

To listen to the episode in full, click the "play" button above.

How...

Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson - Finishing a lesson

This was the fifth and final episode of season two of The Kate Languages Podcast. This season, I discussed the fundamentals of lesson planning, starting with how to kick off your lessons effectively, followed by how to introduce vocab and g...

Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson - Speaking and writing

This was the fourth episode of season two of The Kate Languages Podcast. This season, I discussed the fundamentals of lesson planning, starting with how to kick off your lessons effectively, followed by how to introduce vocab and grammar ...

Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson - Listening and reading

This was the third episode of season two of The Kate Languages Podcast. This season, I discussed the fundamentals of lesson planning, starting with how to kick off your lessons effectively, followed by how to introduce vocab and grammar ...

Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson - Introducing vocab and grammar

This was the second episode of season two of The Kate Languages Podcast. This season, I discussed the fundamentals of lesson planning, starting with how to kick off your lessons effectively. The second episode was about how to in...

Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson - Starting Lessons Effectively

This was the first episode of season two of The Kate Languages Podcast! This season, I discussed the fundamentals of lesson planning, starting with how to kick off your lessons effectively. Whether you're a trainee teacher, newly ...

In episode 12 of the first season of the Kate Languages Podcast, I gave my top 5 tips for saving time as a teacher. Here is a summary of the episode - to listen in full, click above or search for the Kate Languages Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

My top 5 tips for saving time

As teachers, ...

In this episode of the podcast, I talked about creating MFL teaching resources - something I have been doing for many years now!

Here is a summary of the episode. Click above to listen in full.

Getting Started: Setting Up an Online Presence

When I realised I wasn't going back to the classroom, I ...