Modern Languages Blog

 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.

News release from the Scottish Government

The US-UK Fulbright Commission is to receive £180,000 from the Scottish Government to enable it to expand its academic exchange activities in Scotland and further the education links between this country and the USA.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/01/15094453?

LTS is organising three new group visits.

Malawi - Global Teachers Programme 2009
LTS and Link Community Development invite applications for a Global Teachers Programme group visit to Malawi in July 2009. Closing date is 31 January 2009

New Zealand - 5-15 March 2009
The central theme for the visit will be the assessment of literacy, numeracy, and health and wellbeing in the context of Curriculum for Excellence. Closing date is 21 January 2009

Manitoba - 13-15 April 2009
The central theme of the visit will be the assessment of literacy, numeracy, and health and wellbeing in the context of Curriculum for Excellence.  Closing date is 23 January 2009

Find out more and how to apply from the International Education website.

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

The European Award for Languages recognises creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate students and make the best of available resources. If you are involved in an innovative language-learning project, which could benefit others, you may be eligible for an Award.

Applications are invited from schools, colleges, universities and other institutions engaged in foreign language initiatives, which are innovative, effective and replicable. Application deadline: 30 January 2009.  Application for the European Award for Languages 2009

http://www.cilt.org.uk/eal/index.htm 

The TimesOnline reports:

A pioneering French language scheme at an Aberdeen primary school that has been widely praised for helping pupils to achieve remarkable levels of proficiency, is set to close at the end of this month after the Scottish government declined to extend its funding.

Read this article from the TimesOnline

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article5295601.ece