Global Citizenship

May 28th, 2010

Modern Languages - French

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories europe, international, modern languages

A Times Educational Supplement Scotland article entitled ‘Bienvenue a Belleville, Kirkie’ describes a showcase event in East Dunbartonshire which boosted both modern foreign language learning and pupil transition from primary to secondary school. Staff at Kirkintilloch High School created Belleville, an imaginary French town, as a focus for a wide range of activities for P7 pupils in the local cluster of primary schools.

This collaborative project between the High School and the Primaries will assist the growth of languages teaching in their implementation of ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ and also consolidated relationships between the schools.

May 19th, 2010

Human Rights resource

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories citizenship, international, modern languages

Scottish aid agency SCIAF has produced a new online resource for teachers about Archbishop Oscar Romero, who championed the rights of the poor in El Salvador. It combines text, photos, and video clips of young Salvadoreans expressing their views. It also provides teachers’ notes and worksheets, targeted at teachers of Religious Education and also Modern Languages as many elements of this resource are in Spanish. Teachers covering global citizenship themes within Curriculum for Excellence, such as Human Rights, will also find it valuable.

Romero lived and worked in El Salvador during the period of Civil War, speaking out for people’s rights against the military, and was assassinated in 1980.

March 1st, 2010

French, Europe and Citizenship

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories ICT, citizenship, europe, international, modern languages

East Dunbartonshire Council have celebrated the completion of their ‘Projet Citoyen’ project, which enabled sixth form pupils to undertake activities to raise European awareness in local schools. A group of students visited Strasbourg and the European Parliament, and produced video clips and presentations about their trip. They also improved the fluency of their spoken French.

This material was then converted into an online quiz for pupils in the first year of secondary. Now there are plans to extend this material further, with background information about Strasbourg and European institutions, and move the resource onto the Glow intranet for further use by pupils and teachers.

October 6th, 2009

Gaelic education

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories CPD, europe, modern languages

LTS is inviting applications for a SCIPD group study visit to Catalonia, Spain, which is targeted at Scottish education professionals working in Gaelic education. The group will investigate minority language provision and development, as bilingual working and immersion techniques in Catalonia are well-established. Full details and application forms are on the LTS International Education website, and the closing date is Friday 16th October.

A recent BBC story “Gaelic pupils ‘do well’ at school” reported on the view of Highland Council that bilingual Gaelic and English education produced good results among young people.

The Scottish Government recently announced additional funding for Gaelic education, recognition of its contribution to Scottish culture.

October 5th, 2009

Modern Languages

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories ICT, europe, modern languages

The European Day of Languages took place last week, and an article in The Scotsman reported on developments such as the Confucius Classrooms programme (supporting Mandarin), the growth of Gaelic learning, and the provision of Latin.

The European Commission’s Translation department (Directorate-General for Translation, DGT) has developed an animated game for young people to increase interest in European languages, and LinguaGo is now on the EuropaGo website at http://europa.eu/linguago/ . The aim of the game is to navigate a language maze and collect parcels. To get through the maze, players need to guess the names of the European languages and steer clear of mischievous spiders. As they progress, they will also have to play the game in languages other than their own.

July 27th, 2009

Modern Languages

nickmorgan

Comments: 1 Comment Tags:  : Categories CPD, europe, modern languages

There’s a lot of activity for Modern Foreign Languages teachers in the next few months.

Scottish CILT is established in its new home at Strathclyde University and is hosting a workshop on the ‘European Language Portfolio’ on 27th August, in partnership with the Council of Europe. Contact SCILT for details.

SCILT has also organised its ‘National Primary Languages in Practice’ conference for 15th September at Jordanhill campus, and delegates need to be nominated by their local authorities.

September also sees the Scottish Learning Festival return to the SECC for the usual mix of keynotes, presentations, demos and exhibitors. And the ‘European Day of Languages’ on 26th September provides a focal point for celebratory activity in schools and other settings.

Finally, the annual SALT (Scottish Association of Language Teachers) conference is in Stirling on 7th November, and this year’s event has Curriculum for Excellence as its theme.

November 6th, 2008

Foreign language skills

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories modern languages

Recent events in the global economy may mean more interest in languages from young people in Scotland, as they recognise the value of a foreign language to their employment prospects.

Last week Maureen Watt, Minister for Schools and Skills, spoke to the Scottish Association for Language Teaching (SALT) conference. She said ”We must ensure that our young people understand and can respond to the challenges that are presented by globalisation. If the curriculum is to be excellent, it must incorporate an international perspective; if it does not our society and economy will be poorer.”

A more detailed news story “Importance of language skills” is on the Scottish Government website.

October 31st, 2008

Congo resource for teachers of French

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories CPD, ICT, africa, modern languages

SCIAF has produced a languages resource for teachers and learners of French, called ‘La Vie en RDC’, about life in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It will be launched at a CPD for teachers twilight event in Stirling on 26th November. The SCILT website has more details.