PLN vs. Twinkl French: Which MFL Scheme Truly Works in the Classroom?
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..