PLN vs. Twinkl French: Which MFL Scheme Truly Works in the Classroom?
It all begins with an idea.
Twinkl is well-known across UK classrooms for its wide range of printable resources—but when it comes to delivering a full, structured French curriculum, how does it compare to a dedicated MFL provider like Primary Languages Network (PLN)?
Let’s break it down.
Curriculum Design & Progression
PLN
✅ Clear, progressive curriculum from EYFS to Year 6
✅ Term-by-term structure mapped to National Curriculum outcomes
✅ Designed specifically for long-term MFL success
Twinkl French
✅ Broad collection of lesson packs for KS2
⚠️ Less clarity in long-term progression unless teachers manually map it
⚠️ Lessons can feel standalone or repetitive if not carefully curated
Advantage: PLN — Built for real progression, not just piecing lessons together.
Teacher Support & Confidence
PLN
✅ Video2Teach2 brings a language expert directly into the classroom
✅ Non-specialist teachers simply follow along
✅ Full CPD video library included
Twinkl French
✅ Detailed lesson plans and pronunciation guides
⚠️ Relies entirely on the teacher to lead, explain, and model pronunciation
⚠️ No video-led lessons or classroom demonstrations
Advantage: PLN — Teachers don’t need to be French experts to deliver quality lessons.
In-Class Delivery & Engagement
PLN
✅ Real native speakers and teachers on video
✅ Games, songs, physical activities, cultural clips
✅ Consistent delivery every week
Twinkl French
✅ High-quality visuals and worksheets
⚠️ Lacks multimedia delivery—mostly slides, PDFs, and audio files
⚠️ May not hold pupil attention in the same way as dynamic video
Advantage: PLN — Better classroom engagement with human-led lessons.
Platform & Usability
PLN
✅ Easy-to-navigate VLE with weekly lessons and downloadable resources
✅ One login gives access to everything
✅ Clean structure for teachers and subject leaders
Twinkl French
✅ Massive bank of resources, but can be overwhelming
⚠️ Teachers often spend time searching, filtering, and planning
⚠️ Difficult to track continuity across terms or year groups
Advantage: PLN — Plug-and-play simplicity with no resource-hunting.
Content Quality & Freshness
PLN
✅ Updated regularly based on teacher feedback
✅ Includes cultural content, celebrations, and classroom footage
✅ Designed by language specialists
Twinkl French
✅ Visually polished content
⚠️ Generic feel—less depth in cultural context or spoken language
⚠️ Often repurposes content from other subjects or levels
Advantage: PLN — Depth, variety, and authenticity.
Value for Money
PLN
✅ One subscription includes French, Spanish & German
✅ Built-in CPD, classroom videos, games, songs, assessments
✅ Excellent value, especially for staff with limited MFL experience
Twinkl French
✅ Included in a wider Twinkl subscription
⚠️ MFL only makes up a small portion of the Twinkl platform
⚠️ May require extra resources or training to feel “ready to teach”
Advantage: PLN — More support and better results for a focused investment.
🏁 Final Verdict
Twinkl French may suit confident teachers who enjoy curating their own MFL journey—but for most schools, especially those without a specialist, Primary Languages Network removes the stress and delivers real impact.
With video-led lessons, cultural depth, and full curriculum structure, PLN empowers any teacher to lead language learning successfully.
Want to see it in action?
Book a free demo of Primary Languages Network today and take your French lessons to the next level..
PLN vs. Rigolo: Which French Scheme Is Best for Today’s Primary Classrooms?
It all begins with an idea.
If you're a school still using Rigolo, you might be wondering whether it's time to move on. While Rigolo was once a popular choice for French in UK primary schools, the demands of modern classrooms—especially those led by non-specialist teachers—have changed.
Here’s a head-to-head comparison between Primary Languages Network (PLN) and Rigolo to help you decide which scheme best supports high-quality, confidence-driven language learning.
Curriculum Coverage & Structure
PLN
✅ Fully aligned with the National Curriculum for KS2
✅ Year-by-year scheme with termly structure and progression
✅ Covers French from EYFS to Year 6 (plus Spanish & German options)
Rigolo
✅ Designed for Key Stage 2, based on the National Curriculum (originally from 2005 reforms)
⚠️ Often used in bits due to its outdated sequencing or mismatched year group content
⚠️ Some lessons feel dated and can lack continuity year-to-year
Advantage: PLN — A clearer, modern curriculum structure that grows with your school.
Teacher Support
PLN
✅ Video2Teach2: Lessons led by a virtual language specialist alongside the teacher
✅ Built-in training videos and CPD
✅ Ideal for non-specialist teachers delivering MFL
Rigolo
✅ Offers animated characters and a digital pupil book
⚠️ Assumes teacher-led delivery with some French knowledge
⚠️ No built-in support or training for nervous or unconfident staff
Advantage: PLN — Teachers don’t need to know French to teach it confidently.
In-Class Delivery Experience
PLN
✅ Real teachers and native speakers on screen
✅ Clear lesson structure: introduction, repetition, games, activities
✅ Designed to “press play and teach”
✅ Pupils interact with a real human, not just characters
Rigolo
✅ Animated stories and characters (e.g., Jake and Polly in France)
✅ Some interactivity, but lacks variety in lesson types
⚠️ Engagement depends on liking the cartoon style
Advantage: PLN — More real-world, authentic interaction and better for pupil engagement.
Ease of Use
PLN
✅ Simple-to-use VLE platform
✅ Resources sorted by year group, term, and week
✅ No guesswork—just follow the sequence
Rigolo
⚠️ Many schools only use parts of Rigolo due to confusing structure
⚠️ Teachers often need to supplement it with extra resources
✅ Digital pupil books and CD-ROMs were useful… 10 years ago
Advantage: PLN — Cleaner, modern, and built for today’s classrooms and teachers.
Content Quality & Updates
PLN
✅ Regularly updated with fresh content
✅ Culturally relevant topics and seasonal additions
✅ Feedback-led improvements from schools
Rigolo
⚠️ Content hasn't changed in years
⚠️ Animation and interface feel dated
⚠️ No updates or interactive features that match modern expectations
Advantage: PLN — Keeps pace with what teachers and pupils need now.
Cost & Value
PLN
✅ One subscription includes French, Spanish & German
✅ Includes CPD, in-lesson support, full resource access
✅ Affordable and cost-effective even for small schools
Rigolo
✅ One-off purchase model was once attractive
⚠️ No updates, support, or development
⚠️ May require topping up with extra resources or schemes
Advantage: PLN — Better value long-term with ongoing support and new features.
Final Verdict
Rigolo had its time. It introduced many schools to primary French, but it hasn't moved with the times.
Primary Languages Network (PLN) offers a full support system for schools in 2025—video-led lessons, confident delivery by any teacher, and full progression planning. If your school wants to modernise MFL teaching without overloading staff, PLN is the clear step forward.
Still using Rigolo?
Book a free PLN demo and see what you’re missing.
PLN vs. Kapow French: Which French Scheme Truly Supports Primary Schools?
It all begins with an idea.
As primary schools across the UK aim to meet the Modern Foreign Language (MFL) requirements of the National Curriculum, many are choosing between Primary Languages Network (PLN) and Kapow Primary French. While both provide structured schemes, their approaches to support, delivery, and engagement vary significantly.
If your school values confidence for non-specialist teachers, in-class support, and long-term success, PLN may be the clear winner. Let’s compare them side-by-side.
Curriculum Structure & Progression
PLN
✅ Year-by-year curriculum mapped to National Curriculum outcomes
✅ Clear termly planning and progression for French (as well as Spanish and German)
✅ Designed for non-specialist teachers and language leads to follow with ease
Kapow French
✅ Also aligned to the National Curriculum
⚠️ Tends to group lessons by topic rather than building a structured year-by-year progression
⚠️ Some units may need adapting for local planning
Advantage: PLN — Stronger year-group clarity and long-term progression planning.
Teacher Support & Lesson Delivery
PLN
✅ Video2Teach2: A real language specialist appears in the classroom to lead each lesson
✅ Teachers simply follow along, gaining confidence over time
✅ Includes CPD videos, classroom demo clips, and guidance for best practice
Kapow French
✅ Uses teacher demonstration videos and slides to help with pronunciation
⚠️ Lessons rely heavily on the teacher to deliver the content themselves
⚠️ No in-lesson video guidance, which may overwhelm non-specialists
Advantage: PLN — Ideal for teachers with no French background, making language delivery stress-free.
Student Engagement & Experience
PLN
✅ Native speaker videos, catchy songs, physical games, and class activities
✅ Mix of print and digital resources, plus “press play and teach” lessons
✅ Cultural insight videos and real classroom footage
Kapow French
✅ Visually engaging videos and slides
✅ Encourages teacher modelling and pupil participation
⚠️ Less variety in delivery methods compared to PLN
Advantage: PLN — More immersive and multisensory learning experience.
Language Scope
PLN
✅ Offers French, Spanish, and German, with consistent quality across all
✅ Perfect for schools wanting future flexibility in language choice
Kapow
✅ Offers French only at primary level
Advantage: PLN — Greater flexibility for multi-language schools.
Ease of Use & Planning
PLN
✅ Weekly lessons clearly laid out by term, topic, and skill focus
✅ Simple virtual platform (VLE) access for teachers at all levels
✅ Designed to reduce planning time and support cover teachers
Kapow French
✅ Modern interface with resource filtering by topic and year group
⚠️ Teachers may need time to fully understand and customise the sequence
Advantage: PLN — Easier for busy teachers to pick up and deliver confidently.
Value for Money
PLN
✅ All-inclusive pricing: access to all languages, CPD, and classroom videos
✅ Cost-effective even for smaller schools or those with PPA delivery needs
Kapow French
✅ High-quality visuals and planning tools
⚠️ Pricing can be higher, especially when combining multiple subject areas
Advantage: PLN — Offers more support for the same or less investment.
Final Verdict
While Kapow French offers polished materials and helpful planning tools, Primary Languages Network delivers something more powerful: real classroom support, real teacher development, and real results.
For schools who want to ensure French lessons are enjoyable, accurate, and confidently delivered—PLN brings the language expert into your classroom.
Curious how it works?
Book a free demo with Primary Languages Network and discover how it can transform your school's language provision.
PLN vs Language angels: Which Is the Better Choice for Primary Languages?
It all begins with an idea.
Choosing the right primary languages provider is essential for delivering high-quality MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) lessons in primary schools. Two of the most widely used platforms in the UK are Primary Languages Network (PLN) and Language Angels. Both offer strong resources—but if you're looking for in-class support, confidence-building for non-specialists, and curriculum continuity, PLN stands out.
Let’s compare the two across key areas.
Curriculum Design & Progression
PLN
✅ Fully mapped to the National Curriculum
✅ Clear long-term planning and progression pathways
✅ Content spans from Early Years to Year 6
✅ Term-by-term structure makes it easy for schools to follow and track progress
Language Angels
✅ National Curriculum coverage
✅ Three levels (lessons by difficulty, not year group), which can cause uncertainty over progression
⚠️ Teachers need to manually decide where their class fits within the system
Advantage: PLN — Better year-by-year structure and clearer long-term curriculum.
Support for Non-Specialist Teachers
PLN
✅ Video2Teach2: A virtual language specialist leads the lesson alongside the teacher
✅ Built-in training videos, CPD opportunities, and classroom demonstration content
✅ Lesson support builds teacher confidence over time
Language Angels
✅ Includes PowerPoints and audio files
⚠️ No on-screen teacher or live demonstration—teachers must interpret and deliver independently
Advantage: PLN — Non-specialist teachers feel supported and less overwhelmed.
Engagement & Pupil Interaction
PLN
✅ Uses interactive videos, native speaker pronunciation, songs, games, and printable activities
✅ Mix of digital and printable materials for diverse learning experiences
✅ Videos show real people, increasing authenticity and connection
Language Angels
✅ Digital games, karaoke-style songs, and interactive quizzes
⚠️ Less visual diversity—some repetition of characters and tools
Advantage: PLN — More authentic, varied content supports different learning styles.
Language Options
PLN
✅ French, Spanish, and German
✅ Schools can choose to switch languages year-to-year with curriculum continuity
Language Angels
✅ French, Spanish, and Italian
⚠️ Italian support is limited compared to the depth offered in French and Spanish
Draw — Depends on whether Italian is essential; otherwise PLN is more in-depth.
Ease of Use & Platform Experience
PLN
✅ User-friendly VLE with clear lesson order
✅ Resources structured around weekly planning
✅ Teachers can “press play and teach”
Language Angels
✅ Dashboard and downloadable resources are easy to access
⚠️ Some users find the structure less intuitive, particularly when choosing levels
Advantage: PLN — Especially for teachers who want simplicity and reliability.
Pricing & Value
PLN
✅ Transparent school-wide pricing
✅ Access to all languages and CPD included
✅ Excellent value for small and large schools alike
Language Angels
✅ Competitive pricing and a free trial
⚠️ No in-lesson video support; CPD and training cost extra or are limited
Advantage: PLN — More holistic support included in the core package.
Final Verdict
Both platforms offer useful tools—but if you're a school looking for full support, confident delivery by any teacher, and curriculum clarity, Primary Languages Network offers far more than just resources. With real language specialists guiding your lessons, strong progression, and full teacher support, PLN helps schools not only deliver MFL but do it brilliantly.