Author: Lynne Jones, SCILT
Supporting teachers of languages has always been central to SCILT’s work. The quest to provide high quality professional learning opportunities for as many Scottish teachers as possible has resulted in innovation and diversification since schools returned in August. As you might expect, all we do in this area is shaped by the national framework for professional learning.
Did you know that the SCILT professional learning offer now includes:
- New bitesize and drop-ins: informal, themed and open to all. Bitesize are short films or readings with associated reflective questions posted in the professional learning area of the SCILT website. Bitesize are available for you to engage with at any time. Drop-ins are informal online discussions where you can share your practice and learn from others. Previous monthly themes include: lessons from lockdown, gathering robust evidence in secondary and interdisciplinary contexts for primary language learning.
- Online workshops for local authorities and clusters of schools: the latest edition of our menu lists workshops for primary and secondary teachers. Sessions last an hour and are bookable by languages leads for a group of in-service or pre-service teachers.
- Bespoke online workshops: available on request, tailored to your needs.
- Professional learning partnerships (PLPs): bring together teachers, SCILT Professional Development Officers and any number of other partners from education, business or charity sectors. Each PLP is unique as every partner brings different understandings, expertise and professional networks to the project. A partnership agreement is drawn up at the start and partners adopt a collaborative and enquiring approach to address a specific need identified by the teachers and aligned to HGIOS4 quality indicators.
- Anytime professional learning: opportunities from a range of providers collated on the SCILT website for you to browse and learn at your leisure.
Professional learning that is currently underway or under construction includes:
- OU_SCILT Teachers Learning to Teach Languages (TELT) Programme: current cohorts of beginners and post-beginners started in October. Having chosen to learn German, French, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish, teachers will earn Masters credits for the languages strand of the programme. In the pedagogy strand teachers explore a range of pedagogical approaches suitable for primary age pupils. Commitment and enthusiasm is evident in the increased uptake for GTCS Professional Recognition this year. Registration for 2021-22 will open in late spring.
- Professional Learning Partnerships (PLPs): new projects include one with a focus on family learning involving schools in the Forth Valley and West Lothian improvement collaborative and Save the Children charity. Other PLPs in the pipeline will be publicised in due course.
- The new Languages Leadership Programme (LLP) is under construction. This incarnation of the LLP will retain the unique balance of practice, policy, strategy and networking. Its blended format will comprise local and national elements and it will run across a full academic session. Applications for 2021-22 will open in spring.
If you would like to make a booking or have queries about any of these professional learning opportunities, please email scilt@strath.ac.uk.