Author: Elizabeth Norton, Glasgow City Council
“So what’s been happening with you?”
“Not much, how about you?”
“Same!”
How many people are often having this conversation with family and friends, calling each other frequently to make sure everyone is okay but without much news to impart?
Not so for the Languages Team in Glasgow! The lack of social life for everyone has meant that more teachers than ever have signed up for 1+2 languages training. This session, over 200 primary teachers are training in French, Italian and Spanish, with some, already having a language qualification, in multiple languages, including German, Scots and Gaelic. It’s very heartening to see the dedication of teachers who have committed to training every Saturday morning in November!
Across the city there are presentations from learners for National Qualifications including 80 Advanced Higher presentations in French, Spanish, Italian and German. Teachers have shown enormous adaptability and resilience in continuing to support the young people’s learning in the classroom and the virtual classroom. A huge debt of gratitude is due to them.
Looking forward to the brighter skies of 2021, we will continue to train and support colleagues with weekly primary language lessons on our blogs for French, Italian and Spanish. Training courses to extend teaching confidence and ability in the primary setting are available from January 2021.
For now, Joyeux Noël, Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr!