Modern Languages Blog

The Spanish Education Office is launching a contest open to all primary and secondary schools in Scotland to give recognition to those schools that excel in the promotion and provision of the teaching of Spanish within the school. Entries must be submitted by the headship team or modern languages coordinators before April 20 2009. All the information about prizes and criteria to be awarded can be seen on The Consejería web page:

http://www.mepsyd.es/exterior/uk/es/consej/es/promocion/concursos.shtml

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW CONTACT DETAILS, AS FROM 1 APRIL:
Room C317, Crawfurd Building
University of Strathclyde, Jordanhill Campus
76 Southbrae Drive
Glasgow G13 1PP
Tel: +44 (0)141 950 3186/3690
Mobile: 07966 803361

The website will be down for a few days while the server transfer takes place, but do call them on their new number if you have any queries.

Languages programmes on the Learning Zone are now on a break until 22nd June but the following Schools programmes will be broadcast in April:
Tues 31st March, 04:00 – GCSE Bitesize revision – French 1
Wed 1st April, 04:00 – GCSE Bitesize revision – French 2
Thurs 2nd April, 04:00 – GCSE Bitesize revision – German
Fri 3rd April, 04:00 – GCSE Bitesize revision – Spanish

Latest newsletter from BBC includes:

*New* Ma France email tips

So you’ve finished French Steps, printed out your certificate and are ready for a new challenge… Time to move on to Ma France! Enjoy entertaining, short films shot in Provence, the Alps and Lyons before trying the fun, interactive exercises. Look out for the new email tips – they’re designed to keep you motivated.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/mafrance/

*New* Tutors’ pages
Keep an eye out, too, for our new-look Tutors’ pages, your guide to the resources on our site by topic and grammar point. This one-stop shop will help you find news and TV programmes online, download transcripts for BBC language programmes and discover useful learning tips.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/tutors/

The HMIE publication, The Child at the Centre, is now available in Gaelic on the HMIE website, as are also the following HMIE publications.

How Good is our School – part 3 (in Gaelic) http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/publication/atgsm3.html

How Good is our School – The Journey to Excellence (parts 1 and 2) http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/publication/hgiosatgsm4.html

Learning and Teaching Scotland’s Connected magazine is now available online.

This issue includes a feature article on the schools that have been involved in trialling the draft experiences and outcomes for Curriculum for Excellence.

Elsewhere in the magazine we focus on early years. In the wake of the Scottish Government’s Early Years Framework, we explore the key changes and introduce the LTS Early Years team.

Also in the magazine we reflect on how the experience of teaching differs now from that of 20 years ago.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/connected/index.asp

Spring Day for Europe is an annual programme that is open to schools in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Teachers are encouraged to book days in their calendar to involve students in activities that focus on European themes. Spring Day enables young citizens to express their views and make their voices heard in Europe.  

The programme supports many school subjects and offers opportunities for teachers and students to experience both cultural and practical aspects of creativity and innovation.

Spring Day for Europe runs this year from 25 March to 9 May 2009. Schools of all types are welcome to register, from pre-primary to sixth form and FE colleges. Spring Day is also open to classes from organisations responsible for extra-curricular activities whose goals are to develop and strengthen skills related to the school curriculum.

For further information in the UK, contact ukspringday@googlemail.com

Spring Day for Europe 2009

Voxbone has been chosen by language Learning specialist Learnosity to connect language students around the world with their teachers and each other. Through its global IP network, Voxbone enables Learnosity’s students to share their native fluencies and accents for the cost of local calls. 

Find out more about Voxbone and Learnosity

http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/article/6480.html

As from 1 April 2009 their new offices will be in the Crawfurd Building, Jordanhill Campus, University of Strathclyde.

The TESS reports: A new study has shown how bilingualism benefits children in the classroom.

The Edinburgh University research builds on previous studies showing that speakers of two languages find it easier to block out potential distractions, enabling them to focus better on a range of tasks.

Read the full article online at http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6009432