Interesting how often it came up in talks at #LW26 #LW2026 that school/trust top down directives were inimical to teaching and learning and a major disruptor to people doing their job.

Spherical Children in a Vacuum. I do like the adage that, "There's nothing so practical as a good theory." In CPD, an insightful understanding that equips you to plan and ...

We're not just teaching the content. We are not teaching theoretical children.

#LW2026 #LW26

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2026/02/sphe...

Everyone is up early for #LW26 #LW2026

Unfair grading and its impact in Languages Imagine you are selling petrol for £1.40 a litre, and the other garages down the street all sell it for £1.30. Should you be surprised or c...

Talking about this today at #LW26 #LW2026. What if the first, easiest and biggest thing to sort out is unfair grading.

Usually a statistical difference means a small effect noticeable over a large accumulation.

This graph shows a whole grade gap.

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2025/08/unfa...

Linguistics in Year 7 I have been meaning for a while to write a post on the idea of Linguistics in schools and its relation to language teaching. Or more precis...

Talking about this at #LW26 #LW2026 today. It is impossible to learn a new language without confronting some fundamental linguistics.

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2025/08/ling...

Look on my works, ye mighty... Pillars. The ubiquitous metaphor of the last few years in Language Learning. Supplanting the four "skills" of Listening, Speaking, Reading,...

Talking about some of these ideas today at #LW26 #LW2026 . What can we learn from the idea of rigorous sequencing with no pointlessly incidental or confusing rich content?

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2025/08/look...

Reflecting with Pupils on Beliefs about Language Learning. Is there a right answer? In a recent post , I shared some work my Year 9s wrote in their writing assessment after the first half term's work. I enjoyed the confide...

Talking about this at #LW26 #LW2026 today. Is learning all about saying things pupils want to say? Or about forming some correct sentences to show your knowledge?

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2026/02/refl...

What do we mean by "meaning". And does it matter? In language teaching, we seem to be struggling with two different meanings of the word "meaning". On the one hand we have " I know that tor...

Will be talking about this today at #LW26 #LW2026

Does self expression make learning more memorable and meaningful?

Or does it lead to cognitive overload and inaccurate work?

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2025/12/what...

Reflecting with Pupils on Beliefs about Language Learning. Is there a right answer? In a recent post , I shared some work my Year 9s wrote in their writing assessment after the first half term's work. I enjoyed the confide...

Will be talking about this at #LW2026 #LW26
whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2026/02/refl...

No one loves languages more than our Co-President Steven Fawkes! 🌍📚

#LW26
#LW2026
#LanguageLeaders
#LanguageLearning
#mfltwitterati

Unfair grading and its impact in Languages Imagine you are selling petrol for £1.40 a litre, and the other garages down the street all sell it for £1.30. Should you be surprised or c...

In case anyone needs this graph today. #LW26 #LW2026

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2025/08/unfa...

Language World 2026 I am looking forward Language World 2026. Meeting old friends and online friends new friends. Please do say hello. It's always about rechar...

#LW26 #LW2026 Today!
Have a great day. I won't be there until later. Say hi if you see me!

whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2026/03/lang...

Putting together my talk for @all-languages.org.uk #LW2026. I think I have too much to fit into half an hour! See you there... www.delegate-reg.co.uk/lw2026