Blog feedWhere to find free foreign language lessons online
August 26th, 2009Comments: none
Web-Translations blog has posted an article which lists 15 different online places offering free language lessons online, covering a variety of languages.
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Modern Languages Blog
All posts in the ‘Community languages’ Category
UK issues third European Charter for regional or minority languages
June 8th, 2009Comments: none
The UK has just issued its third report on its implementation of the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.Â
Read more from Eurolang websiteÂ
http://www.eurolang.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3181&Itemid=0
How GÃ idhlig is doing
Scottish Gaelic has made progress with the new Gaelic TV channel, and Bòrd na Gà idhlig have announced their new language plan for Highland Council. However, despite strong Scottish governmental support, overall there’s still the lack of adequate provision of relatively easy to achieve items such as bilingual signage, and the language plans, required by the Gaelic language act, need to be adopted by all the councils in Scotland. The TV channel is also hamstrung from not being available through as a regular terrestrial channel on Freeview, the UK standard provider.
Find the full report on the Council of Europe website http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/minlang/Report/
Arsenal launches languages scheme
April 3rd, 2009Comments: none
EU Multilingualism Commissioner was in London today (2 April) for the launch of an innovative project combining foreign-language learning and football training run by Arsenal football club.
This year’s edition of the English Premiership club’s ‘Double Club’Â initiative, which the EU executive described as an “innovative project aimed at schoolchildren, combining language learning with football training,” sees youngsters from London and the surrounding area attend language courses of six to eight weeks, followed by football sessions.
Lessons are inspired by football and Arsenal-related themes, and are supported by contributions from the club’s French, Spanish and German-speaking players in their native languages.Â
The success of Arsenal’s Double Club’ project has already seen several other Premiership clubs adopt similar schemes.
English Premiership club Arsenal first launched its ‘Double Club’ initiative in 1998. Since then, it has helped over 2,000 students from 80 schools in London and south-east England to learn German, French and Spanish. The EU executive is particularly keen to boost language-learning in the UK amid fears that the European institutions will likely face an acute shortage of English interpreters by 2015.
http://www.euractiv.com/en/culture/orban-launches-arsenal-languages-scheme/article-180929
Scottish Parliament Gaelic resources
February 19th, 2009Comments: none
A range of services are available at the Parliament for Gaelic speakers and those learning the language, including an extensive range of web pages and publications. The Gaelic pages of the website are comprehensive and mirror the English language pages as far as possible. If you are a Gaelic speaker you can also write to us in your native tongue. Find out more about the Gaelic service and view the Gaelic homepage.
Chinese New Year event- Sun 8 Feb, Edinburgh
January 14th, 2009Comments: none
Celebrate the Year of the Ox with music, dance, calligraphy, art and animation.
Come along to enjoy the special atmosphere or even take part in an open workshop of drumming and movement.Â
This drop in, free event at the National Museum of Scotland will run from 12.30 till 16.00 and is suitable for everyone
Year of the Ox Celebration 24/25 Jan – Glasgow
January 14th, 2009Comments: none
Drop into Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Sat 24 Jan and Sun 25 Jan to take part in Chinese New Year celebrations for the Year of the Ox.
Chinese New Year family weekend
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January 2009, 12 noon to 3pm
2009 is the year of the ox. Ricefield Arts and Cultural Centre presents some of the colour and excitement of Chinese New Year in Glasgow. Lots of activities for all the family
http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/showEvent.cfm?venueid=4&itemid=963?
Comenius seminar for Scottish primary teachers
October 2nd, 2008Comments: none
Comenius School Partnerships and eTwinning are holding a seminar for Scottish primary teachers based around the themes of community language learning in the European Union.
For more details on cost and how to apply, visit the Comenius School Partnerships web site.
For more information contact Sophie Patterson on +44 (0) 131 524 5722 or email: uk-comeniusscotland@britishcouncil.org.
Please note: registration deadline for completed application forms is Friday 24 October 2008.
Teaching Scots to speak the language of their neighbours
September 16th, 2008Comments: none
The Herald reports on Joanna McPake, director for Scottish CILTÂ calling for community languages to be taught more widely at higher education level.
Scottish minority languages on the agenda
August 27th, 2008Comments: none
At the Festival of Politics 2008
Progress has been made to recognise minority languages in Scotland but more must be done at both the domestic and EU level, according to a panel at the Festival of Politics.
Speaking at the ‘Linguistic Diversity in Europe – Let’s Begin at Home’ event chaired by Rob Gibson MSP in the Scottish Parliament, specialists in the field engaged in a lively debate on the way forward for Scots and other minority languages within the European context.?
MFL at SLF 2008 Thursday 25 September
August 21st, 2008Comments: none
Connecting Communities - Thursday 10:30 Seminar code G1G
With current and ongoing innovations in technology Gà idhlig communities can be more connected than ever before.  In this seminar delegates will be explore different ways of setting up online Gà idhlig communities to meet their own specific needs.
Using Scots Language creatively in the Classroom - Philippa Cochrane Scottish Book Trust – Thursday 10:30 Seminar code M1G
This seminar will outline a range of initiatives available to support the creative use of Scots in the classroom, from some of Scotland’s best Scots language practitioners.
European school partnerships - Susan Linklater eTwinning Manager , British Council - Thursday 10:30 Seminar code M1G
This presentation will provide an overview of eTwinning and Comenius, and information on how to get involved. The key focus of the session will be a case study from Woodacre Nursery School, whose eTwinning project with a school in Milan enabled them to achieve the International Excellence Award.
Discovery International Film Festival - Meryl James, Margaret Foley and Joe Hall – Thursday 14:00 Seminar code N1I
Discovery Film Festival at DCA has been presenting world cinema and developing ‘moving image education’ activity for the past four years demonstrating strong partnership between an arts organisation and Education Authorities. This seminar will present evaluation outcomes and current pilot projects with Dundee, and Perth & Kinross Education Departments.