Celebrating Black History Month in the MFL Classroom
- Gaelle Launay-Hughes
- Oct 1
- 1 min read
October marks Black History Month in the UK—a powerful opportunity to honour the contributions, stories, and voices of Black individuals across history and cultures. For Modern Foreign Language (MFL) teachers, it’s also a chance to broaden our curriculum, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate linguistic diversity through meaningful, inclusive content.
Why Black History Month Matters in MFL
Language learning is inherently cultural. When we teach French, Spanish, or German, we’re not just teaching grammar—we’re opening windows into societies, histories, and identities. Black History Month invites us to ask: whose stories are we telling? Whose voices are we amplifying?
In the French-speaking world alone, Black history is rich and complex—from Aimé Césaire’s poetry to the resistance of Haitian revolutionaries, from Congolese musicians to Senegalese filmmakers. Integrating these narratives into our lessons helps students see language as a living, global force—and themselves as part of a diverse linguistic community.
Free French Resources to Explore and Share
Two ready-to-use lessons on the work of Aimé Césaire (KS3) and Maryse Condé (KS4)
One interactive timeline tracing key moments in Black Francophone history
These resources are designed for KS3 and KS4 learners, and include a range of activities—while sparking curiosity, discussion, and deeper understanding.
View and download the free resources
✨ Behind the Resources: A Personal Note
I genuinely loved creating these resources—and in the process, I discovered so much about my own history too. I hope you find them useful in your classroom, and I’d be thrilled to hear your feedback and how they’ve impacted your students’ learning.💬https://mflcentral.co.uk
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