Summer 2018
Scotland’s National Centre for Languages Newsletter
Business Brunches 2018 [ Welcome to the SCILT newsletter ]
Welcome to the SCILT newsletter
Editorial 02 SCILT News
Dear colleagues 09 News from local authorities Welcome to the last SCILT newsletter of session 2017/18. Reading through its 16 News from SCIS wealth of contributions, I was struck by the genuinely collaborative nature of the News from our partners languages community in Scotland. Whether 17 it is developing links overseas, cross-sector initiatives, partnerships with the business Languages beyond school world or reaching out to engage parents, 21 practitioners across the country are seeing the value of working together. This collegiate approach is laudable as together we can achieve so much more.
I hope your partnership with SCILT has also been positive over the course of this session. The team is always on hand to support the language community in any way we can. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] and At the University of Strathclyde, SCILT has a number of partnerships we will do our best to help. with key organisations in Scotland, UK and further afield.
Finally, as we make the last part of the journey towards the summer, may I take this opportunity to wish you a very restful summer break? Whether staying at home or traveling SCILT Scotland’s National Centre for Languages further afield, I hope the sun shines on us all. LH-232 Lord Hope Building University of Strathclyde 141 St James Road See you all in session 2018/19! Glasgow, G4 0LT
Tel: 0141 444 8163 Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer - SCILT’s newsletter is published twice a year and contains contributions from schools, local authorities and cultural organisations. Fhiona Mackay, Director It provides a forum for contributors to share some of the interesting work being carried out by the languages community across Scotland. SCILT, however, does not necessarily endorse or promote the practice described in these pages.
01 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ SCILT News ]
SCILT News
Broaden your horizons with languages
n partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) One teacher commented: “Pupils were really motivated at IAyrshire, SCILT ran a series of three business language the end of the day. The event allowed them to think about the events, aimed at S3-S6 pupils from across the Ayrshire reasons behind learning a language and the extra benefits authorities, between September 2017 and January 2018. language skills might have for them, even in a career that might not involve languages directly. It gave them an insight The events took place at Prestwick Airport where 235 pupils into the marketability of languages and how useful it is to from 23 schools heard from a variety of professionals and speak another language.” engaged with local businesses who view language skills as key to the growth and success of their organisation. Emma McLean, SCILT
Emma McClymont, Business Liaison Officer at DYW Ayrshire said: “DYW Ayrshire was delighted to work in partnership with SCILT to bring a series of language events to 23 secondary schools here in Ayrshire. The events were a fantastic opportunity for both teaching staff and pupils to network with a variety of professionals who utilise language skills in their job role.”
Young learners had the opportunity to explore the marketplace and network with organisations such as Articulate Language Camps, College Development Network, Food and Drink Federation Scotland, IBM, Kids Lingo, Project Trust, and student language ambassadors from the University of the West of Scotland.
Pupils went on to hear from a series of inspiring presenters who shared their personal journey with languages. Speakers included representatives from easyJet, Bank ABC, Culzean Castle (National Trust for Scotland) and Radio Lingua.
www.scilt.org.uk 02 [ SCILT News ]
Building with Lingo
roving that you don’t need to be importance of laying the foundations of Recognising family learning as a P Irish to celebrate St Patrick’s Day lifelong language learning. “powerful method of engagement in style, the University of Strathclyde and learning which can foster positive opened its doors to welcome children, Families then had the opportunity to attitudes towards lifelong learning” young people and their families to choose from a range of workshops (Family Learning Network, 2016), Building with Lingo, an action-packed designed for learners of all ages. The Building with Lingo encouraged event held on 17 March 2018. During varied programme featured interactive families to pursue language learning the event, families had the opportunity workshops and lectures as well as together. to take part in a wide range of language and cultural taster sessions. intergenerational activities to celebrate These included a bilingual English and A parent attending the event said: “This and promote languages and cultural French puppet show, a lecture on the was a wonderful day, brilliant for adults diversity. benefits of bilingualism, a masterclass and kids alike! It has re-inspired my on BSL, an opportunity to hear how love of languages.” Opening the event were the children languages are used in the RAF, and an from Carmyle Primary School British Sign overview of how languages facilitate Another parent commented: “We Language (BSL) choir who captured the the conservation work of the Royal really loved the interactivity and fun of audience’s attention with performances Zoological Society of Scotland. Building with Lingo. It demonstrated of ‘This is me’ from ‘The greatest that language learning is vital. It also showman’ and ‘Fight song’. The children Injecting an Irish flavour to the day’s showed that language learning can be may have been a tough act to follow, activities were the dancers from the SFS fun and appropriate for all ages.” but Mark Pentleton, Director at Radio School of Irish Dancing, who entertained Lingua, rose to the challenge, delivering the audience with their beautiful dancing an inspirational keynote speech on the and wonderful music. Clare Carroll, SCILT
03 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ SCILT News ]
Cross-sector working to strengthen language learning
he collaboration between SCILT Tand UCMLS has continued to deepen. The training course for primary teachers, which is currently being delivered jointly by staff from The Open University and SCILT, arose directly out of this collaboration. We extended the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition to include entries from colleges and universities and held an additional semi-final for the Word Wizard spelling competition in Edinburgh, thanks to the support of Edinburgh College. Partnership on the Language Linking Global Thinking scheme is continuing and expanding, and we envisage there will be continued involvement from both FE and HE as SCILT works with DYW to provide a series of Business Brunches around the country.
We held a second round of cross- sector discussion meetings in the regional hubs (East, West, Central and North) during January and February 2018, and on 11 January 2018 Marion Spöring, as Chair of UCMLS, gave instrumental in initiating the launch of more details worked out by June evidence to the Scottish Parliament on a College Development Network for so please watch out for information the importance of Erasmus+ post- ESOL & Modern Languages (bit.ly/FE_ coming your way in the SCILT news Brexit. A briefing paper was produced LangsESOL). The long-term aim is to bulletin. after the meeting and is available as a revitalise languages in the FE sector. PDF (bit.ly/CTEER_Erasmus). The University Council of Modern Finally, two notes for your diary. On Languages (UCML) is a professional As part of the National Language 15 September 2018 we will hold our organisation funded through Network meeting, UCMLS again second National UCMLS Conference membership fees. It represents invited an international speaker to at the University of Dundee. We will the interests of staff working in contribute a session. You can view have one or two keynote speakers, languages, linguistics, cultural and the video presentation by Judith Kroll review our Action Plan and celebrate area studies in UK higher education (University of California Riverside) on 25 years of UCML with a glass (or and also works with corresponding the language learning context in the two). We are also in the early stages bodies in other countries. UCMLS is USA and the benefits of bilingualism of planning our participation in the Scottish branch of UCML. (bit.ly/UCMLS2018_Kroll). Our SCILT International Education Week (12-16 colleague, Angela de Britos, has been November 2018). We should have Marion Spöring, UCMLS
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 04 [ SCILT News ]
Language skills in the world of work: Inspiring Scotland’s future global workforce
range of jobs where languages play a role.”
Another young learner commented: “I discovered that a language can be very useful when competing in the jobs market. It was fascinating to discover the practical applications of knowing a language in a work context, for example helping to negotiate with colleagues in another country.”
A teacher who attended said: “The event was informative and interesting and drew pupils’ attention to how having a language can be an asset in the workplace here, in Scotland. It showed pupils a wide variety of jobs, and how languages can benefit travel and working abroad. The day was very much what I had hoped it would be.” CILT, in partnership with the On average, ten businesses were in SUniversity Council for Modern attendance at each event, ranging Images and presentations from these Languages Scotland and Developing from health care to international banks events can be found on SCILT’s 2018 the Young Workforce, hosted a series and the retail industry. Companies Business Brunches webpages of five Business Brunches across in hospitality and tourism, digital www.scilt.org.uk/Business/ Scotland in January and February this technology, engineering, creative BusinessBrunches/tabid/6095/Default. year. The events aimed to demonstrate arts, agriculture and many more, aspx. the relevance of language skills in participated. the world of work and to encourage Check out #BB_SCILT on Twitter and secondary pupils to continue with their The events took place in Aberdeen, see some of the tweets received from language studies into the senior phase Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and schools who participated this year. of their education, and beyond school. Inverness and proved to be in high demand. A total of 692 S3-S6 pupils Emma McLean, SCILT Through inspirational presentations, from across 24 local authorities took interactive workshops and the part. informative marketplace, learners were provided with a valuable opportunity to Feedback from participants shows discover how languages can enhance that the Business Brunches have communication skills, motivation a significant impact on pupils’ and employability. They were able to perceptions of languages in the engage with a wide range of dynamic workplace. business representatives who view languages as a key skill in today’s A young learner commented: “I learnt globalised world, and ask questions about some of the opportunities about the diverse range of careers languages can provide, and the paths available within each of the sectors along which language learning can present. take you. I was surprised at the diverse
05 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ SCILT News ]
LinguaChef e are thrilled to have launched symbolic of a country where either a S4-S6) will W our latest cross-sector initiative, language they are learning in school be selected LinguaChef. It is a cooking competition or a language that pupils use at home to prepare, with a languages twist brought to is spoken. We are expecting to see cook and you by City of Glasgow College some exciting recipes from France, present and SCILT, inspired by the ‘Routes Spain, Germany, South America, the their dish into Languages’ Bake-Off initiative Caribbean, Africa, Poland, Russia, the in the in England. The competition brings Middle East or even as far as China professional together two of our favourite topics or Japan. We are also encouraging kitchens at City of Glasgow College for – languages and food! As well as pupils to be creative, for example they the final on 22 June 2018. An overall practising linguistic and culinary skills, could incorporate a bit of Scottish winner from each category will be pupils will develop their wider social, ‘fusion’ into their recipe to give it a chosen by professional chefs to win a literacy, numeracy and financial skills. twist. prize for themselves and their school, and recipes will also feature in the first Pupils from registered schools are Based on their submitted recipes, ever SCILT cookbook. currently working in teams of four to three semi-finalist teams from each submit recipes for international dishes age category (P1-P3; P4-P6; S1-S3; Angela de Britos, SCILT
Mother Tongue Other Tongue poetry competition
MTOT celebrates plurilingualism and Juliette says: “Listening to such wise promotes the use of mother tongue words from such young minds is languages, giving all children and inspiring and humbling. Reading each young people an opportunity to enjoy of these poems is like opening a page using their language learning in a from a secret diary. It is a privilege creative and expressive way. to meet these children and young people so intimately on the page, and The multilingual poetry competition witness their thoughts and feelings comprises two categories: ‘Mother on everything from growing-up to war, Tongue’, which invites non-native football, heartbreak and friendship.” n 17 March 2018, children English speakers to write poetry in their Oand young people from across mother tongue language, and ‘Other You can see the best of this year’s Scotland received awards and prizes Tongue’, which requires young people entries collated in the 2017/18 anthology for the magnificent poems that they had to write poetry in an additional language on the SCILT website - www.scilt.org.uk/ submitted to our Mother Tongue Other they are studying at school, college or MTOT/tabid/5841/Default.aspx. Tongue (MTOT) poetry competition. The university. This year’s anthology alone initiative has been running for four years features 14 different languages, and Angela de Britos, SCILT and is going from strength to strength. we had our youngest ever winners, St This year saw the addition of a new Bridget’s Early Years Class, who worked FE/HE category allowing college and on a class poem. university students to participate. Winners and Highly Commended entrants received their awards and prizes at the event held at the University of Strathclyde. Fhiona Mackay, Director of SCILT, and Juliette Lee, poet and creative writer who has been involved in MTOT for the past three years, presented the prizes.
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 06 [ SCILT News ]
Open University/SCILT course ‘Learning to teach languages in primary school’
• We are setting up a Spanish club after school. • As language leader in the school, this course will better prepare me down the line to fulfil my role effectively. • I run a French committee every fortnight for interested P5-P7 children. They are helping to set up displays around the school. We have also established a link with a school in Paris. • I have begun to make more home- school links for language, inspired by fellow practitioners on the course.
Following a successful pilot, the OU and SCILT are now extending the offer to enrol on this course to primary teachers in all 32 local authorities across Scotland. The course is available for the following languages: French (LXT192), German (LXT193), Spanish (LXT194) ecognising the need for greater • I love the strategies I have learnt and and Mandarin (LXT197). R flexibility in professional learning, use them when I can. SCILT joined forces with The Open • A hugely positive impact! I have never The next presentation of this course University Scotland to develop a 30- taken part in CLPL this long-running will start in October 2018. The course week blended learning course for before. It forces (or encourages) you fee is £240.00 per student. We aim primary teachers. The course has two to keep your own learning relevant to complete enrolment by June 2018 strands. These cover primary languages and in the forefront of your mind and, to allow time to plan staffing and pedagogy together with learning a new more importantly, to keep using it so timetabling. language of the participant’s choice. The that it isn’t forgotten but becomes part course involves a flexible mix of self- of everyday practice. The course is geared towards primary study, online tutorials and face-to-face day • The course is having a huge impact practitioners but secondary teachers schools. A pilot is currently running with on my confidence to teach another who teach at primary level may find the 50 teachers from nine local authorities, language. Starting from scratch and course of value. We have produced an allowing teachers in the most rural and learning alongside the pupils has FAQ document (bit.ly/SCILTOU_FAQs) remote areas to engage with high quality been very humbling. with further details about the course. professional learning. It also aims to meet • It has been useful to have links to the needs of busy teachers who are things that I would not have found In order to make the enrolment process trying to juggle other commitments and myself, to apply the suggested ideas as smooth as possible, we advise that strike a good work/life balance. in class and to pick up ideas from in the first instance teachers, head colleagues who are going through the teachers and development officers Current students have told us about their same process. contact Sylvia Warnecke at The Open experiences on this course in terms of University ([email protected]). building their confidence, applying what Feedback has also highlighted that the they learn and engaging in an extensive course is having an impact beyond the Angela de Britos, SCILT CLPL activity: classroom:
07 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ SCILT News ]
Scottish Languages Review
ur winter edition contains Research Initiative – this time it’s about investigation into the views of Scottish Ocontributions from international, investigating the impact of creative text primary teachers on the perceived national and ‘local’ authors. We start materials and teaching approaches in challenges and benefits of the 1+2 with the article by Professor Jim the language classroom. (Check out Approach. Cummins, a native Irishman now living Angela Gayton’s article in Issue 32 for and working in Canada. He writes about the introduction to the MEITS strand – We finish with a contribution that is a very topical project: how to teach Multilingualism Empowering Individual both national and international: Edward children with different home languages. Transforming Societies.) Bugler, now studying at the University The teachers involved in the project of Portsmouth, tells us about his were so proud of their achievements We then have two contributions from transformative experience as an English (and those of their learners) they even Scottish-based authors, both with Language Assistant in Quebec. So here waived their right to anonymity! highly relevant content. Elizabeth we are, back in Canada! Clingan and Sandra Coles report on At national level, we have a contribution their professional enquiry into the Access Issue 33 - www.scilt.org.uk/ from Julia Hofweber and Professor teaching of multi-composite classes in Library/ScottishLanguagesReview/ Suzanne Graham, both based at the primary schools, while Elizabeth Murray Issue33-Winter2017/tabid/7415/Default. University of Reading. They introduce presents us with the findings from the aspx another one of the research strands research she conducted as part of in the AHRC-funded Open World her MA at Heriot-Watt University, an Hannah Doughty, SCILT
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 08 [ News from local authorities ]
News from local authorities
Allons-y ‘Wee Famille’! n North Ayrshire, the 1+2 team have the language. They then consolidated Iembarked on a new initiative to raise the key vocabulary into a ‘Wee Famille profile of languages and engage families passeport’, bearing the winning logo with their children in learning French. design, to support family learning at The 1+2 team partnered with the Family home. For seven weeks, families were Learning team and SCILT to deliver the invited into school one afternoon each seven-week project, aptly called ‘Wee week to learn French with their child. Famille’, in Springside Primary in Irvine. Before each session, parents and carers had a cuppa and a croissant with the Amanda Muir, Family Learning Family Learning team. Coordinator, kicked off ‘Wee Famille’ with a logo design competition. Together with The 1+2 team sourced various donations SCILT, the 1+2 team worked to identify to support the project, including a French The families have been so enthusiastic language learning opportunities, as well language pack from One Third Stories, a about the project and attendance has as exciting and engaging ways to deliver small business based in England whose been consistent each week. The final speciality is sprinkling vocabulary into a week of the project will be a celebration, story that starts in English and finishes in culminating in a cultural event to include another language. food, dance and artwork inspired by Mattisse. After the pilot is complete, During Book Week Scotland, Gillian Muir, the partnership will do a case study author of ‘Wee Dug’ books, including and look forward to making the project Louis Goes to Paris, visited with Louis available in French and Spanish for himself. Louis, a rescue dog from anyone to pick up and use. Belgium, is the main character in these picture-book adventures. Stacey Arneil, North Ayrshire Council
British Sign Language in Carmyle Primary and Nursery Class
started learning British Sign Language see how much they enjoy this role. At I (BSL) around four years ago and the 2018 Glasgow Languages Awards, it is something that I am immensely they were awarded with Language passionate about and proud to be able Ambassadors of the Year. A great to share with others. When I first started recognition for all involved! They’ve introducing it at school assemblies, the represented the school at numerous learners were engaged and enthusiastic. events and also worked with practitioners This has grown over the last few years. from all over Glasgow at a BSL I began to think about ways in which masterclass, demonstrating ways in which the learners could take charge of their BSL can be incorporated using digital learning, ensuring there was sustainability. technology. held BSL taster classes for pupils and parents and these were some of the most Last year, we recruited six BSL Leaders As well as this, we have our Carmyle well-attended events we have had. from P7. They receive weekly training Primary singing and signing choir. They’ve sessions and then visit our nursery worked together to perform at many We’re so lucky to be able to share our and classes every Thursday to share events. Most recently, they opened the passion about BSL with others and we’re their learning with their peers. They’re SALT 2017 National Conference and the so incredibly excited about what the responsible for planning, implementing International Women’s Day Event. At our future holds. and evaluating their sessions with the school, we aim to incorporate as many other children and it’s truly wonderful to positive partnership links as possible. We Laura McEachran, Carmyle Primary School
09 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ News from local authorities ]
Chinese New Year at St Mary’s Primary n 16 February 2018, St Mary’s Primary in Largs was delighted to Owelcome parents and carers to our Chinese New Year celebrations and to showcase the amazing arts and crafts the children have created as well as share all the Chinese they have learnt so far.
The celebrations began with the whole school teaching families the Chinese New Year song and actions. Each class then took it in turns to teach their families various phrases they had been learning in class. Each class had a different New Year blessing to share. The children performed extremely well and were very enthusiastic.
The early years class did their version of the Dragon Dance and the other classes made a range of crafts including red envelopes, lanterns, dragons, puppets for each zodiac sign and fire crackers.
After the assembly, parents were able to taste some wonderful Chinese cooking washed down with either green or jasmine tea.
Mary Hume, St Mary’s Primary
Discovering the cultures of French-speaking countries
At the start of each session, pupils learn new French vocabulary. This helps them create scripts and they use this new vocabulary as they work together to present short drama sketches. The project has developed skills in group-work, ICT, art, French and drama. Pupils have used new technology, including green screen and “I was the voice of Meme and I reaper sound recording. recorded some speaking parts for the story. It was great to hear how I long with learners from three other P6 has been researching imigongo had progressed in speaking French.” A schools in our local authority, P6 art, which originates from Rwanda. (Jessica) pupils at Bannockburn Primary have Learners were so inspired by the story been exploring the cultures of different of Meme and her grandmother from “We were recording ourselves speaking French-speaking countries. They have Rwanda that they created their own French and even got the chance to been working collaboratively to create artwork. They used printing paddles record some of our own sound effects. a stop-motion film inspired by some of and tiles to form repeating patterns It was a bit funny hearing myself speak the research they have done. The aim and made fabrics that they plan to French.” (Kenzie) is to combine language learning with use in the animations of the story. All STEM and provide opportunities to learners have engaged in every aspect “I’ve loved looking at the imigongo art.” learners to explore culture and expand of the project and it has provided them (Imogen) their understanding of French-speaking with opportunities to use technology in countries. a new way. Victoria McFarlane, Bannockburn Primary
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 10 [ News from local authorities ]
French across the curriculum at Doune Primary his session, Doune Primary has learning about the principles of haiku. Le Ballon Rouge, using screen shots as Tcontinued to focus on embedding They used French vocabulary relating a starter to create their own dialogue in language learning across the curriculum to buildings to create haiku poems. French. In response to le concours de and within the daily life of the school. This provided the context for children la francophonie, organised by l’Institut Developing the Young Workforce is part to develop their skills in using an online français d’Ecosse, the children created of our school development plan and P3 dictionary as they searched for suitable and wrote their own screenplay, inspired pupils work with Albert Roux and the staff vocabulary with the required number of by the film but giving it their own twist of Cromlix House every year to prepare syllables. The SCILT Mother Tongue Other and setting it in their own environment and deliver a Gala Dinner for parents Tongue Competition provided the pupils around Doune. This was edited using and carers. This year, we identified an with further motivation to complete and Movie Maker and resulted in Doune opportunity for children to use their French reflect on their poetry. Primary winning first prize in the national to welcome guests in their roles as maitre competition. d’ and waiting staff. The children focused The school has introduced French on simple French phrases that they had within literacy circles in P6 and P7, Our intention is for the children to see learnt in class and practised through role- challenging pupils with a weekly task that languages as a means of communication, play, integrating these into the evening. requires they use French books or other not just as a school subject, and create Parents entered into the spirit, replying in authentic written material. This develops opportunities to use simple language to French and commenting positively in the competencies in reading and translation communicate in real and sophisticated guest book. as well as expanding their use of situations. inference and deductive skills. P7 began P6 linked their literacy to French by the year exploring the French 1950s film, Sue Parsons, Doune Primary School
Language learning in PanTayside
Maisondieu Primary winning first prize took part once again in Euroquiz. and Aberlemno Primary and Dunning No fewer than 20 teams of P6 pupils Primary P2/3 winning second prize. competed across PanTayside and showed tremendous knowledge of Pupils from P3 at Maisondieu Primary European culture, politics, geography were invited to take part in a French and languages. Langlands Primary activity day in Edinburgh, which was in Angus, Forthill Primary in Dundee great fun! Aberlemno and Dunning and St Dominic’s Primary in Perth Primaries were gifted a selection of and Kinross are the winners of the French books for their schools. local heats and will now compete in the final at the Scottish Parliament in Please use these links to watch the Edinburgh. Bonne chance! Le concours de la Francophonie winning entries: Family fun with French Schools in Scotland were invited Maisondieu Primary to take part in le concours de la https://youtu.be/Bhna47w5xak After the fantastic feedback from the francophonie 2018, run by l’Institut ‘French fun for families in Fife’ pilot, français d’Ecosse. This Scotland-wide Aberlemno Primary the PanTayside team decided to follow competition was launched in 2016 https://youtu.be/0yTabIFnLTI the steps of our friends on the other to showcase the vitality of French side of the Tay and offer this wonderful language in Scottish schools and to Dunning Primary course. Hundreds of families across encourage all learners from P1 to S6 to https://goo.gl/kuqXFZ the three authorities are about to take part in language learning. embark on this exciting journey. We will Euroquiz 2018 in PanTayside keep you posted on their progress. Schools across PanTayside entered the competition, which resulted in The three PanTayside authorities Virginie Bradbury, PanTayside
11 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ News from local authorities ]
Language learning in the early years celebrated
t Bridget’s Primary Early Years Take care! S Class submitted a poem to SCILT’s School is closed, School is closed Mother Tongue Other Tongue poetry I am tired, I am tired competition. The topic in the class at I am going home, I am going home the time of writing the poem was road Take Care! Take Care! safety. The children had been learning A busy road, A busy Road songs about ‘stop, look and listen’, Traffic coming, Traffic coming traffic lights and other road safety Wait a minute, Wait a minute messages, and they worked with staff Take Care! Take Care! to put all their ideas together into a poem. The children learnt the poem by singing it to the tune of Frère Jacques. Thoir an Aire! Tha sgoil duinte, Tha sgoil duinte, The poem won the early years category Tha mi sgith, Tha mi sgith, of the competition, and pupils received Tha mi dol dhachaidh, Tha mi dol a trophy, certificates and had their poem dhachaidh, printed in an anthology. Fifteen children Thoir an Aire! Thoir an Aire! from the class were able to attend the Rathad trag, Rathad trag, awards ceremony at the University of Traffaig a’tighinn, Traffaig a’tighinn, Strathclyde on 17 March 2018. Fuirich mionaid, Fuirich mionaid, Thoir an Aire! Thoir an Aire! Sarita Taggart, St Bridget’s Primary
Linking language learning with the world of work
arina Glennie, Human Resources speaking visitors with young families. anything this posh!” which summed up K Director for the Dalmahoy Hotel in Entries were judged against our morning’s experience. Edinburgh, visited Currie Community presentation and standard of This project provided a great insight High in November 2017. Karina talked language used. The quality of into the world of work for Currie about how widely languages are used the entries was very high. Amy Community High’s pupils. in the hospitality industry and how they Manson and Rhona Duncan won can enhance employment prospects. the competition and there were 16 Leila Okasha, Currie Community High She presented on employability runners-up. skills and pupils were encouraged to think about what qualities a potential On 27 February 2018, all 18 winners employer might look for. Following on were invited to the Dalmahoy Hotel for from this visit, Karina invited S3 to take the morning. Staff took pupils through part in a competition that required what skills they are looking for in them to use their language skills. potential employees, before engaging them in a fun team-building activity Pupils were challenged to produce involving hula-hoops! Pupils learnt a brochure outlining top tourist more about how to write an impressive attractions for children in Edinburgh. CV and, lastly, the group was taken on The brochure was to be aimed a tour of the hotel. They enjoyed seeing at French and German-speaking the leisure club, the function rooms and visitors to the hotel. The two winning especially the most expensive suite in brochures will be printed and used the hotel. One S3 boy was overheard by the hotel for French and German- saying, “I have actually never seen
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 12 [ News from local authorities ]
Partnership with Nancy-Metz ifteen teachers from primary schools in of the Dumfries and Galloway Modern FAcadémie de Nancy-Metz, northeast Languages Curriculum Support Team. France, visited schools across Dumfries “Most Scottish local authorities are twinned and Galloway in March for a week of with an equivalent Académie in France, work-shadowing. Schools, teachers and Dumfries & Galloway’s partnership and classes exchanged information with Nancy-Metz is active and successful.” with their partners and shared learning over a sustained period, using French Many teachers from French schools Dumfries and Galloway has applied and English. The goal was to establish have visited Dumfries and Galloway in for Erasmus+ funding to enable more long-term relationships between partner the past few years, stimulating interest teachers to make return visits to their schools. and excitement in language learning in French partners and it is hoped that these our schools and returning to France re- will start to take place within the next year Schools and their communities really energised by what they have learnt here. or so. benefit from this partnership; teachers’ confidence in French language is “Teachers from France have been “There is so much to be gained by all increased and contact with another impressed by our practice of working in sides, and in so many ways, from this kind education system both stimulates and groups, as well as the joined-up approach of partnership,” concludes David Kerr, “I challenges methodologies. Pupils gain that is Curriculum for Excellence,” adds do hope this is something we will be able exposure to ‘real’ French pupils and Françoise Norel, also of the Modern to sustain in Dumfries and Galloway for the evidence is that their interest in Languages Support Team. “I know that, many years to come.” languages and other cultures benefits. following visits here, the layout of various “This programme has been running for French classrooms has been altered while David Kerr, Dumfries and Galloway five years now,” comments David Kerr teachers try out our methods.”
STEM and Spanish at Auchenharvie Academy
The focus of the two-day visit was STEM and work collaboratively to develop their provision at Auchenharvie Academy. A own models based on observations from very busy timetable was devised allowing their visit. Colleagues from CAFI have the visitors to see a range of activities arranged technology-related training in the school, including Maker Space in events and are beginning to prepare a technologies, STEM challenges in the Maker Space of their own. Science Faculty, use of technology to deliver elements of the maths curriculum A member of the 1+2 team and Kirsty Scott, and Microbit use in computing. Our Faculty Leader of Science at Auchenharvie visitors met with staff to discuss teaching Academy, are due to reciprocate the visit methodologies, use of resources and and explore languages and STEM and uchenharvie Academy was honoured support for all learners. A number of languages in Spanish schools. A to welcome nine colleagues from two focus groups were held including with Spanish schools in February 2018. The senior pupils, Duke of Edinburgh students Kirsty Scott, Auchenharvie Academy visit was organised in association with and the parents and carers involved in North Ayrshire’s 1+2 team and LFEE. our Parents in Partnership initiative. Time was spent with the Professional Learning Four colleagues joined us from Centro de Academy as well as exploring wider Recursos y Formación del Profesorado elements of the curriculum including en Tecnologías de la Información y la Foundation Apprenticeships and Comunicación, Castilla y León, and five Developing the Young Workforce. colleagues from Centro autonómico de formación e innovación (CAFI) Galicia, Since returning to their centres in Spain, Santiago de Compostela. our colleagues have met to share practice
13 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ News from local authorities ]
STEM and languages: Cross-sector working and collaboration n February 2018, a group of primary What we observed in our visit to In order to bridge the gap between Iand secondary teachers, together with Auchenharvie Academy has given us primary and secondary school, Kirsty three teacher trainers from Galicia (north- insight into possible paths to follow, as has held training sessions for over west Spain), visited two North Ayrshire well as good practices to imitate and a year now using STEM kits, which primaries and Auchenharvie Academy. adapt to our context. The cross-phase include materials and class resources. Our visit was part of ‘Observa acción’, collaboration Kirsty Scott has established The objective of these kits is to a programme aimed at professional in working with primary schools is a bold improve levels of STEM enthusiasm development and innovation, based on statement demonstrating an interest in and knowledge among teachers, observation, assessment and exchange truly addressing the issue of educational thus enriching pupils’ learning and among peer educators, and we had the disadvantage. It shows how, as educators, encouraging the uptake of more STEM chance to observe different aspects of we have a professional responsibility to skills among their students. academic life. collaborate more closely. What we have taken home is the I was part of the group visiting To be effective, STEM teaching needs conviction that there is more work to Auchenharvie Academy and our focus to be based on primary teachers having be done encouraging partnerships. was on STEM. The ‘Consellería de Cultura, a sound understanding of just how Cross-phase conversations need to be Educación e Ordenación Universitaria’ secondary schools operate - including embraced and the development of our believes that providing students with routines, knowledge, structures and primary school teachers is invaluable in learning opportunities in STEM subjects is expectations. Accordingly, Kirsty Scott achieving this. a priority. At the CAFI (teacher training and and her team have really engaged staff to innovation centre in Galicia), we are also orchestrate greater collaboration across Diana Pastoriza Espasandin, Centro involved in Erasmus+ projects related to primary and secondary, plan for success autonómico de formación e innovación STEM and have applied for a new project and work towards implementing strategies (CAFI) Galicia (2018-2020) around STEAM (STEM and to make the transition from primary to the Arts). secondary smooth.
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 14 [ News from local authorities ]
Students discover how language skills translate into jobs in the world of tourism
tudents studying languages at four Each organisation hosted interactive in encouraging our young people to Sschools across Perth were given workshops, which highlighted real see tourism as the exciting and diverse first-hand insight into job opportunities career opportunities available for young sector that it is. in the Scottish hospitality and tourism people when they leave school. sector as part of the region’s £500,000 “Events like this are critical if we are Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Following the event, 57% of pupils serious about addressing these issues strategy. said they had changed their opinion and attracting more young people into Around 80 pupils took part in the event and would now be likely to consider the sector. I am delighted to have been organised by DYW Perth and Kinross a career in the tourism and hospitality able to support the event and to see in partnership with Springboard UK, sector. so many of the pupils excited by the which supports people into careers in opportunities.” hospitality, leisure and tourism. Stephen Leckie, CEO of Crieff Hydro Hotel and Chair of the Scottish Tourism Steven Stewart, Chair of DYW Perth The event was supported by nine Alliance opened the event at the and Kinross, said: “This event is organisations representing the sector Salutation Hotel in Perth this week. He a fantastic example of the kind of including VisitScotland, Willowgate said: “Tourism employs over 200,000 partnership working that can make a Activity Centre, Historic Environment people in Scotland and is one of our real difference for our young people Scotland, Costa, Salutation Hotel, The fastest growing industries. This in itself and our region.” Blackwatch Museum, Crieff Hydro, presents a recruitment challenge for Perth College UHI, as well as SCILT. the sector. We all need to play our part Donna Kudarenko, DYW Perth and Kinross
15 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ News from SCIS ]
News from SCIS
Learning French through AIM in ESMS Junior School hildren in P4 and P5 at ESMS ensures that even the less confident can sessions. These included ‘le professeur CJunior School have been learning join in. Kinaesthetic learners may also do du jour’, the story of the three little pigs, French using a multi-sensory approach the actions as they talk, which helps to playing games like ‘Madame Smith dit!’ developed in Canada called AIM. AIM embed understanding. and the songs and dances. Lessons are stands for Accelerative Integrated varied, upbeat, energetic and above all Methodology and is an immersive The context for learning is a play, which inclusive. AIM is used in many different technique for teaching languages. in our case has been ‘Les Trois Petits countries around the world to teach Vocabulary is taught by a specialist Cochons’. The children will present this French, Spanish, Japanese, English and teacher at quite a fast pace initially, with play at the end of the year and have been Chinese. the emphasis on communication in full learning songs and dances and making sentences rather than the more traditional puppets as part of its production. The Gillian Smith, ESMS Junior School topic-based and grammatical approach play provides the theme for learning and, to learning a new language. Each word since it is a familiar story, it has helped has an associated action and the teacher the children to pick up vocabulary quickly. gestures as she speaks to the class. Before each lesson starts we cross ‘la The children speak chorally along with ligne magique’ and once we have done the teacher as they read the actions, so the children know that they have to which allows language production to speak only in French for the whole lesson. be maximised. As well as facilitating Recently the children were asked to name plenty of oral practice, speaking together some of their favourite things about the
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 16 [ News from our partners ]
News from our partners
Action Research Communities for Language Teachers
ction Research Communities and have provided opportunities for which focused on applying critical Afor Language Teachers (ARC) them to plan collaborative projects. thinking strategies in vocabulary is a project funded by the European These have included an action teaching. Nadežda Polianovica from Centre for Modern Languages of the research workshop for German Riga investigated this through her Council of Europe (2015 to 2018). It teachers in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, work on a languages spelling bee aims to support teachers in European Romania and a workshop for teachers competition in her school. language classrooms in using action and teacher trainers/educators from research as an essential tool for the 18 European countries in Graz, Participants will present their results development of reflective classroom Austria. Participating teachers in at a network meeting in Graz in the practice and autonomy. Graz formulated group proposals for summer of 2018. pilot classroom projects based on Through this project we are their action research interests. These All project results and action making practical techniques for were subsequently carried out on research tools will be published action research widely available to a range of topics, including using on the website www.ecml.at/ language teachers across Europe by Facebook in cross-cultural links, actionresearch. establishing a community of practice developing student-centred activities which connects academic expertise and teaching vocabulary strategies. Angela Gallagher-Brett, ARC on action research with good practice Teachers from Albania, Latvia and the Communications Person (SOAS, in language classrooms. We are Netherlands collaborated on a project University of London) also designing action research tools to support teachers who want to carry out projects and to encourage dialogue between practitioners in schools and universities.
We have organised a series of professional learning events for language teachers that have introduced action research concepts
17 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ News from our partners ]
Concours de la francophonie 2018
Runner-up: P1/7 Aberlemno Primary (Angus) – ‘Histoire de Noël’
S1-S3
Winner: S2 Mid Yell Junior School (Shetland) – ‘Ciné Yell’
Runner-up: S2 The Mary Erskine School (independent school) – ‘La mauvaise note’
A special prize was awarded to P7 Clermiston Primary (Edinburgh) – ‘au café’, for the creativity of their film.
On Friday 23 March, first prize winners were invited to the Institut français d’Ecosse to celebrate ‘la journée mondiale de la francophonie’ and receive their award. Seventy-three learners from Maisondieu Primary and Doune Primary had a full French experience, with workshops conducted ‘Le concours de la francophonie’ which this year took place on 1 February by the teachers of the Institut français was launched in 2016 to support and 2018. and students of French at the University encourage teachers and learners in of Edinburgh. primary and secondary schools and to The judging panel was again very showcase the vitality of French learning impressed with the quality and creativity Emmanuel Cocher, Consul General within the context of the 1+2 Approach. of the entries. Films came from across of France in Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland, with semi-final entries from the and Director of the Institut français Taking part in this competition is very councils of Aberdeen City, Angus, Argyll d’Ecosse, Lord Brodie, President of the simple. Schools only need to submit a and Bute, Dundee City, East Lothian, Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland and short film in French of a class production. Edinburgh City, Glasgow City, North Sandra McLennan, Corporate Social The competition takes place in two Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, Shetland Responsibility Leader of Total E&P UK, phases: a semi-final in December or Islands, Stirling and West Lothian, as well partners of the competition, gave their January to select local champions at local as from various independent schools. awards to the winners and offered them authority level, including a semi-final for French books for their schools. Winners independent schools, and a national final, P1-P4 then enjoyed a delicious French lunch.
Winner: P3 Maisondieu Primary (Angus) Winners of Mid Yell Junior High will enjoy – ‘Minibeast Madness’ a French immersion day in their school later this spring. Second prize winners Runners-up: P2/3 Dunning Primary and the special award winner will receive (Perth and Kinross) – ‘La météo’, and a selection of French books to continue P1 Kirn Primary (Argyll and Bute) – learning French. ‘Comment ça va aujourd’hui?’ We hope many teachers will be inspired P5-P7 and will enter the competition next year.
Winner: P7 Doune Primary (Stirling) – Thomas Chaurin, ‘Le Ballon rouge’ Institut français d’Ecosse
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 18 [ News from our partners ]
S6 students across Scotland are learning a language with The Open University
ow in its 10th year, The Open participating in YASS, with 141 students went on to study Chinese at university. I NUniversity’s Young Applicants taking a language module this year. have just finished studying first year of in Schools Scheme (YASS) offers S6 International Business with Chinese at pupils across Scotland the opportunity Studying a YASS language module the University of Edinburgh, and doing to learn a language in school alongside provides pupils with experience of the Chinese YASS course helped me their other studies. HE-level study, a breadth of language greatly in my studies.” (Sabina Sobczak, options beyond the school curriculum former YASS student) Pupils can choose from 29 modules and experience of independent including 11 language modules in learning, all of which support the Students in local authority schools are French, German, Spanish, Italian and development of valuable knowledge entitled to fully-funded places. Chinese. All the modules are SCQF level and skills and prepare students for 7 and carry 30 credit points. Students the transition from school to university, For more information on the programme, in local authority schools are entitled to college or employment. visit The Open University in Scotland fully funded places. website (www.open.ac.uk/scotland/ “When I was in my final year of high study/young-applicants-schools) or YASS is a national bridging programme school, I decided to challenge myself email Page Munro, YASS Coordinator for schools. It has full geographical and take on a Chinese course through ([email protected]). reach and is open to every secondary The Open University. I wouldn’t have school in Scotland. Each education had the opportunity to do Chinese any Kitty Chilcott, The Open University in authority in Scotland has schools other way. I enjoyed it so much I even Scotland
19 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ News from our partners ]
Teacher training in Scotland, Erasmus+ projects around Europe, online courses and immersion courses in France and Spain
PLL training
Over the winter, we have trained around 300 teachers in French, Spanish and German from three local authorities: South Lanarkshire, Fife and East Dunbartonshire. The feedback from teachers is very positive: they feel that the language input and the resources given to them provide great support for their journey into 1+2.
Erasmus+
LFEE Europe is one of the partners in a very exciting KA2 Project involving five countries. For the past two years, we have worked on a Common European Framework of Teachers’ Competences, even meeting the Education Minister for Castilla y León (Spain) in the process! We have also hosted groups of French inspectors and head teachers keen to learn about self-evaluation in Scottish schools, with invaluable contribution from Fiona Pate and outstanding hospitality from two schools in Perth and Kinross and two schools in Fife. Merci à tous! We are now looking for schools wishing to host French/Spanish teachers for two days – North Ayrshire Council did a wonderful job in February for a group of Spanish teachers! Please contact us should you be interested!
Online courses
Our PowerLanguage online courses continue to be very popular all over the country: French and Spanish for teachers have been available for almost 2 years with great feedback, Chinese as L3 will now have a level 2 and French and look forward to welcoming more teachers soon on our summer Spanish as L3 will be available after Easter. Get in touch with 2018 courses! us to find out more, or visit PowerLanguage Schools www.( powerlanguage.net). Please note there is a cost for each of How could this work for you, your school or local authority? these courses. Get in touch to find out more!
Immersion courses Email: [email protected]
On top of our well-established courses in Lyon and Malaga, Website: we ran our first course in Montpellier for teachers who had www.lfee.net and www.powerlanguage.net already attended one or more of our French immersion courses. Thanks to the support from the Education Follow us: Twitter @LfeeEurope Department for l’Académie de Montpellier, we were able to or Facebook www.facebook.com/lfeeEurope offer exciting cultural experiences, from a workshop on le chocolat, to a visit to Le Pont du Gard which gave us the opportunity to make cross-curricular links to the Romans. We Richard Tallaron, LFEE
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 20 [ Languages beyond school ]
Languages beyond school
Languages and tourism
Which languages do you speak? up the learning levels 1-17. Learning to read was the easiest part, but learning I started with French in school, only the spoken language is much harder until Intermediate 2, but when I came to due to its word ordering and use of university I made a lot of French friends honorifics and particles. and chose to study it a little further. Now I have a fairly good understanding of What impact has language learning the language. had on you personally and professionally? I have had an interest in Korean culture from around the age of 19 when I learnt Learning Korean has been good (albeit of the Korean war. My interest grew from nerve-racking at times). Last year, I wanting to learn about the country to spent my summer in Seoul, where I now learning the language. I have been was immersed in the language and studying Korean for just under a year got to practise reading and speaking now. I can read Korean script, Hangul ( every day. There has also been the odd 한글), but would say I am far from fluent occasion when I have interacted with in spoken Korean. guests in Korean. It’s always nice to see the smile on their face, in shock, Do you have any tips or advice to when they hear Korean from a Scottish share about learning a language? person.
oss Yuill is studying towards a Take it slow, it’s not going to go in My main aim after my degree is to Rdegree in education and is a Front overnight (as much as I wish it would). be a technical teacher, but I can also Desk Associate for the Marriott Hotel It has taken me time even to get the see myself applying for the EPIK in Aberdeen. In his job profile, Ross basics of spoken Korean. I went programme, which is for teaching explains how his passion for languages online and found a great website for English in Korea, after I graduate. developed and how useful languages learning the language called ‘Talk to are in his job. me in Korean’. It’s a company based in Seoul, South Korea, and they have a Inspire your pupils with SCILT’s curriculum for learning the language, Job Profiles and look at the range starting with the basics of learning the of careers where language alphabet, and from there you can climb skills have proved to be valuable www.scilt.org.uk/Business/ Jobprofilesandcareers.aspx.
21 Scotland’s National Centre for Languages [ Summer 2018 ] [ Languages beyond school ]
Looking for interesting contexts?
CILT/CISS is now in its fourth year blogs in particular. His reports give an to think of how the pupils would benefit Sof the ‘Language Linking Global insight into French culture and daily from reading about his year abroad, Thinking’ programme. The aim of the life. It is all the more pertinent as both from a cultural as well as a linguistic programme is to provide real, interesting, are depicted from a young Scot’s point of view. up-to-date contexts for language perspective. It is a valuable exchange, learning by linking a class in Scotland to not only from a cultural point of view, I would like to take this opportunity to a student on a year abroad. The students but from a linguistic one as well. My thank Jonathan for his time and effort write blogs that provide rich pickings for pupils are expected to ask Jonathan in making this partnership extremely teachers who want to introduce or revise questions in French about topics of their interesting and worthwhile. vocabulary in refreshing, stimulating choice and this allows them to revise contexts, or who want to enhance the vocabulary, phrases and grammar. Brigitte Guéguen, cultural context of language learning for Moreover, it shows them that learning a Cumnock Academy their class. language is important and relevant and that it creates many opportunities to find Language Linking, Global Thinking jobs, travel, meet different people and For a flavour of the spice, experience different cultures. colour and fun that this project Taking part in Language Linking, Global can bring into your classrooms, Thinking has been a rich experience From a teacher’s point of view, this while challenging your pupils for my S3 class, myself as the class exchange has been a breath of fresh and raising their cultural teacher and, hopefully, Jonathan, our air and has allowed me to give a more awareness, visit the students’ link student based in Pau (France). meaningful and concrete sense to the blogs on the SCILT website teaching and learning of a language and www.scilt.org.uk/BeyondSchool/ My students look forward to hearing to explore new horizons, not dictated LanguageLinkingGlobalThinking.aspx. from Jonathan, looking at his travel by the constraints of the curriculum. pictures and reading about his I sincerely hope that Jonathan has adventures. They enjoy his musical gained from this exchange. He has had Meryl James and Janette Kelso, SCILT
www.scilt.org.uk [ Leading on Languages ] 22 Contact Us
SCILT LH-232 Lord Hope Building University of Strathclyde 141 St James Road Glasgow, G4 0LT Tel: 0141 444 8163 Email: [email protected]
www.scilt.org.uk
At the University of Strathclyde, SCILT has a number of partnerships with key organisations in Scotland, UK and further afield.