Phonics

The subject content for the new GCSE (proposed first teaching in 2023) places greater emphasis on explicit teaching and assessment of phonics. We have therefore updated our phonics support to make the tools you need for teaching phonics more accessible.

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Updated ¡Viva! 5-year schemes of work

For those of you following our ¡Viva! First Edition or ¡Viva! Segunda edición course structure, we have updated our 5-year schemes of work with a new ‘Phonics’ section that highlights weekly opportunities to teach or revise sound-symbol correspondences (SSC). Every SSC from the new GCSE subject content is comprehensively covered across the 5 years in these schemes of work.

The words chosen to exemplify each sound are closely linked to the phonics resources and Key Language in our coursebooks, but you do not have to purchase our teaching and learning resources to make use of our schemes of work.

See updated 5-year schemes of work

Phonics video

We have made the phonics video from our ¡Viva! Segunda ediciónn course freely available on our website. It contains 12 sounds with accompanying actions, which you can use as an introductory phonics activity with your students.

See ¡Viva! Segunda edición key sounds video

Key sounds poster

We also have a vibrant ¡Viva! Segunda edición key sounds poster that covers the same 12 sounds as the video. Why not print it off and display it in your classroom?

Download the ¡Viva! Segunda edición key sounds poster (PDF, 1.0 MB)

Phonics CPD

Session 1: Introduction to Phonics in MFL teaching

This is a free, pre-recorded event exploring the background behind the renewed focus on phonics in MFL teaching and the planned inclusion of phonics in future GCSE assessments. It explains the need for a systematic approach to teaching phonics and offers practical starting points. 

Access the training

Session 2: Effective strategies for integrating teaching and learning of phonics in the Modern Foreign Language classroom

This live online training session explores a range of teaching and learning strategies that can be used for both introducing and recycling phonics knowledge in the MFL classroom, from KS3 to KS5. You can check for upcoming sessions and book your place via the Pearson Professional Development Academy using the link below.

Check for upcoming phonics training sessions