Author: Sylvia Georgin, Aberdeenshire
Wendy Craig and Aimee Bainbridge work at Newtonhill Primary in Aberdeenshire. They share their experiences of taking part in the SCILT/Open University TELT programme – TEachers Learning to Teach languages. TELT aims to increase and improve language provision in primary schools. Teachers learn a new language and, at the same time, the skills to teach that language in the classroom. Having completed the first part of the TELT pilot Level 1 course, Wendy and Aimee are both progressing to part 2 this year.
Why did you choose to take part in TELT?
Wendy: As Depute Head Teacher of a large primary and a lover of languages, I volunteered to introduce and develop the 1+2 policy across our school. When our local authority told us about the opportunity to take part in the TELT pilot, we jumped at it. It was a fantastic way to start building confidence in the delivery of language teaching, and to start developing a pocket of expertise and enthusiasm within our staff, which could be accessed by other teachers. I was excited to develop my beginner’s Spanish and the course structure was easy to dip in and out of at times which suited me. I liked the idea of having other teachers across the country to work with and share good practice.
What’s been your highlight of TELT?
Aimee: The reassurance from tutors and fellow course learners that we are all learning and it’s OK to be honest with the pupils – making it a lot easier and more fun. My pupils reflected with me about which approaches worked best and why … they remind me and teach me and it’s great! You also share your experiences and reflections with course colleagues and learn from theirs. I got heaps of great lessons, ideas and feedback from my course tutors and colleagues, which I continue to use and learn from.
How have your pupils reacted to language learning?
Wendy: Pupils’ achievements in Spanish, and now in French as our L3, have been notable, and attainment is above average. Parents in all year groups have commented on how impressed they are, that they love the learning and teaching strategies being used in school, and have really got behind activities and events we have run for the wider school community.
Aimee: Our pupils are incredibly enthusiastic about learning Spanish and increasingly confident and capable. The wide variety of teaching ideas, activities and strategies gained from TELT have really enlivened and emboldened our language learning.
What’s next for language learning in your school?
Wendy: Across the school, we are focusing more this year on CLIL approaches now our grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation are a bit better. I’m looking forward to trying Spanish and technology lessons on my P7s! We previously ran two successful Erasmus projects in conjunction with TELT, enabling me and several other staff to attend Spanish immersion courses, and we hope to find alternative ways to fund these in future. We also hope to establish a Spanish Coffee Club, where our trained teachers can advise and support other teachers’ flexibility and confidence in language learning and teaching.
Aimee: This year I will be teaching PE two days a week. My plan is to do as much of it as possible in Spanish! Spanish will continue to be part of assemblies, nativities, Glee Club, daily routines and greetings. We would like to continue to involve our wider community through cafés, International Day events and more.
Read the full article on the Open University website.
