Creativity in MFL SIG Event 4
April 6, 2027 @ 16:00 - 17:00
The Creativity in MFL Special Interest Group (SIG) welcomes language teachers from across the world. Our community includes colleagues from all phases of education and from a wide range of countries, including the four nations of the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Mexico and the UAE.
We host live sessions every two months open to all teachers of languages, where we explore how creative and authentic approaches can enrich teaching and inspire learners. Our work is grounded in the belief that phonics, vocabulary and grammar can be taught in ways that are imaginative, culturally rich and intellectually engaging. Creativity is not an optional extra or an end‑of‑term treat: it is a powerful pedagogical tool that deepens linguistic understanding and opens doors to culture.
The Creativity SIG aims to build capacity across the curriculum by supporting teachers to develop a creative toolkit that supports inclusion and the belonging all pupils including learners with SEND. We aim to share best -practice in approaches that makes creativity systematic, purposeful and embedded in everyday language learning.
What we mean by creativity:
“The use of skill and imagination to produce something new [or a work of art]” (OECD, 2)
Creative competencies:
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exploring the imagination by generating new ideas and content
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constructive curiosity
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open–mindedness, flexibility and lateral thinking
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problem–solving
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(Collard, 2016 – Education Scotland)
What we mean by authenticity:
“A stretch of real language, produced by a real speaker or writer for a real audience
and designed to convey a real message of some sort” (Morrow, 1977)
Why creativity and authenticity matter:
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to contextualise knowledge
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to develop cultural capital
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to improve engagement and intrinsic motivation for language learning
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to reduce language anxiety
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to develop inclusive practice and a sense of belonging for learners
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to develop linguistic skills
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to make language learning joyful and memorable
Because when these parameters are met, students are more likely to retain phonics, vocabulary and grammar in their long-term memory.
Join the Creativity in MFL SIG here
Dates of meetings for 2026-27:
Tuesday 6 April 2027 4pm
Wednesday 23 June 2027 4pm