Linguascope review

The attractive graphics ensure that Linguascope is a hit with students. Content follows the KS3 and KS4 syllabus closely, and there’s a good range of interactive activities and games. Worksheets are well presented and simple in content, and all four skills and teaching stages are catered for.

Teachers can create activities to focus on particular vocabulary, functions or structures using simple templates. This feature isn’t unique, but the Linguascope branding lends creations a professional finish.

The ability to share resources isn’t unique either, but they’re channelled through Linguascope, ensuring an effective quality control over content.

The school subscription isn’t cheap, but it’s still good value. Students can work independently at home and submit work, receive feedback and either save it or send it to the teacher for recording.

The Assessment Material feature can be downloaded to the school’s VLE.

This is SCORM 2004 compliant, so teachers can record progress and attainment effortlessly. Again, the opportunities for differentiated and personalised learning are there, whether in the classroom, the ICT suite or at home. Many of the games and activities can be done individually or in class teams on the whiteboard.

A media-page section can be used to discuss current events in France, Germany and Spain. There is also a bank of PowerPoint presentations, and while such lessons are increasingly frowned upon, they still come in useful.

The Linguascope resources are inspiring, accessible, student-friendly and curriculum-relevant. They are also extremely easy for teachers who have had no ICT training. As with all MFL software, activities need incorporating into a lesson, but with the right planning, Linguascope is arguably the best resource currently available.