
Research
Curriculum policy and curriculum models
Teaching foreign languages has been compulsory since September 2014. How are schools managing?
Literacy and wider academic achievement
Foreign language literacy has potential to support classroom language learning.
The role of age in language learning
What is the nature of the interaction between the age of the language learner and the context in which the language is taught?
Pedagogy and teacher expertise
Two key elements of primary language provision are pedagogy and teacher expertise. What are the aims of teaching foreign languages in the primary school?
Linguistic development and expectations
What kind of linguistic progression can be achieved through the limited instruction most primary school pupils receive in a foreign language?
Multilingualism and additional language learning
What kind of educational interventions might help children with English as an additional language?

Cultural competence and intercultural understanding
What does intercultural understanding mean for people under specific conditions and contexts?
Transition from primary to secondary school
What MFL issues present themselves when children transfer form primary to secondary school?

Content and Language Integrated Learning
What is CLIL, and is CLIL feasible in the primary school classroom?
One-page summaries of research

Check out the one page summaries of research on each of the seven themes presented here by clicking on the links and find out the research behind the learning. Not sure which theme to choose? Browse our alphabetical list below.
Please note: the list is arranged alphabetically by first author; the titles are the titles of the summaries (not the original papers).
Courtney, L. (2017). Transition, and children’s motivation for language learning.
Deckner, S.E. (2019). Evidence for a motivational dip inforeign language learning during Year 7.
Demie, F. (2018). English language proficiency and attainment of EAL children in England.
Enever, J. (Ed., 2011) Early Language Learning in Europe.
Kasprowicz, R.E., Marsden, E., & Sephton, N. (2019). Does it matter how often we practise grammar?
Kasprowicz, R.E. & Marsden, E. (2017). Teaching grammar through different types of input activities.
Kirsch, C. (2016). Using storytelling to teach vocabulary in language lessons.
Lanvers, U. (2017). What motivates language learning in primary school and beyond.
Lichtman, K. (2016). Young children can learn language explicitly if they are taught explicitly
Mihaljević Djigunović (2009). Why are young learners’ individual differences important?
Muñoz, C.(2014). Exploring young learners’ foreign language learning awareness.
Myles, F, & Mitchell, R (2012). Learning French from ages 5, 7 & 11.
Nicholas, H., & Lightbown, P. (2008). Defining early child second language acquisition.
Nikolov, M. (2016). Trends in the assessment of young English language learners.
Pfenninger, S. E. & Singleton, D. (2019). Making the most of an early start to L2 instruction.
Porter, A. (2016). Using gesture to help young children learn and remember vocabulary.
Waddington, J. (2019). Developing primary school students’ foreign language self-concept.
Wade, P. & Marshall, H. (2009). A longitudinal survey of the implementation of primary languages from 2006-2008.
Walter, C. (2008). Linking knowledge of L2 sounds and L2 reading comprehension.

Reports on recent conferences attended by RiPL members. If you have attended an event or conference of interest to our RiPL Network, by all means send us a short report. It’s helpful to everyone to know just what is going on in the field of primary language learning. Click here to view.
Collections of research studies
Collections of research studies – published books and journals
Collections of research studies on primary language education, thematically arranged.
- OASIS (Open Accessible Summaries in Language Studies) initiative aims to make research findings on language learning and teaching available and accessible to a wide audience. Check it out! We have summaries of articles on language teaching in primary schools here on RiPL, but OASIS have a range from all research fields. OASIS newsletter
- IRIS is a repository of data collection materials which aims to improve the openness and replicability of research, thereby increasing opportunities for research. IRIS now holds over 3,200 materials and has had over 18,700 downloads from students, teachers and researchers.