Modern Languages Blog

The Scottish Government has announced there will be more school places and increased resources for Gaelic-medium education across Scotland thanks to investment from the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund.

Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell announced on Friday that Glasgow City Council will receive £500,000 to increase provision in its area and Argyll and Bute Council will benefit from £150,000.

The funding will be used to renovate classrooms in the Glasgow Gaelic School and contribute towards a new modular building which will be installed at Bowmore Primary; both areas which have seen an increased demand for early years places.

 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/09/04112636

LTS is inviting applications from Scottish teachers for a SCIPD group study visit to Nova Scotia, Canada, in October 2009.

The theme is Homecoming, and the teaching of culture and history, and takes advantage of the shared history and cultural expression of Scotland and Nova Scotia. This visit complements the Scottish Government’s Homecoming 2009 programme.

Full details from the International Education website.

From the Scottish Government news: An extra £800,000 for Gaelic education has been announced, bringing Scottish Government investment in the Gaelic Schools Fund to £2.15m this year.

First Minister Alex Salmond made the announcement at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college in Skye on his way to the Wstern Isles for a historic first Scottish Cabinet meeting in Stornoway.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/08/03092341

Do you have pupils aged 16 to 19 with an interest in UK-German youth relations and activities? The application process for the UK-German Youth Council 2009-2010 is now open!

The Youth Council provides members with an opportunity to develop communication, intercultural and project-planning skills, together with young people from Germany.

Find out more

http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/microsites/?location_id=783

 The French Ministry of Education has launched a mobility programme for primary and secondary teachers called Jules Verne.

Up to 300 teachers throughout France will spend the year 2009-2010 in a school abroad. The programme, of which a full description in English is attached, is entirely funded by the French Ministry of Education.

Word file: Jules Verne programme

French teachers may already have sent applications to Scottish schools. However, Local Authorities are welcome to let me know by 22 June 2009, if they have schools willing to host a French teacher, to the following address: education@ifecosse.org.uk

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’  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. 

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

The main focus of the visit will be the institutions and programmes of the European Union, and associated initiatives.

This study visit is likely to be of relevance to education professionals in Scottish primary and secondary schools, and to educators in local authority posts, who wish to improve their coverage or engagement with European issues.

The closing date for applications from appropriate interested staff 24 February 2009.

More details and the application form from International Education.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/internationaleducation/scipdvisits/groupvisits.asp?

Celebrate the Success of Scotland’s Schools.

The Awards highlight best practice in Scottish classrooms, celebrate schools and acknowledge the dedicated individuals who devote their lives to helping young people fulfil their potential.  Entry to the Awards is open to all publicly funded schools, including secondary, primary, nursery and special schools. Further details of the Awards and the categories can be found on the Scottish Education Awards website.

Nominations are open until 5pm on Friday 27 February 2009.

http://www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk

Just a reminder that The Lefevre Trust has funding available for all groups of young people (11-19 year olds) in the whole of the UK and there’s lots of funding for the taking! Extra-curricular groups, sports teams, youth groups as well as schools can apply for reciprocal grants to visit France or the départements d’outre mer.

Please promote it as widely as possible; it’s a great opportunity for schools to support language learning for school groups. The next deadline is mid February but they are keen to increase applications and could extend it by a week or so if you interested and need more time. The next deadline will then be in May.

Please  contact Ruth Cocks if you have any more questions.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/schoolpartnerships-france-lefevre-trust.htm

Dublin - 23-26  February 2009

LTS is organising a Group Study Visit to Dublin in February 2009 on the theme of the ‘Transition Year Programme’ in the Republic of Ireland.

More details of the Dublin visit and the application form are available from the International Education website.

Oslo - 29 March-2 April 2009

A Group Study Visit to Oslo to investigate the Norwegian ‘Cultural Rucksack’ scheme and provision of expressive arts learning opportunities.

More details of the Oslo visit and the application form are available from the International Education website.