Language Linking Global Thinking

"This is such an enriching, meaningful experience for our pupils. It is helping them to become Global Citizens, expanding their horizons, seeing the true relevance of sticking with their language studies and all of the wonderful opportunities it will bring in the World of Work"

- Teacher, LLGT 2018/19

Overview

Language Linking, Global Thinking (LLGT) is a partnership project developed by the team at SCILT, British Council and Project Trust, working with UCMLS.

Students and volunteers about to embark on their year abroad are linked with primary or secondary schools across Scotland. The aim of the project is for students to communicate with a designated class in their partner school and illustrate by way of example how enriching it is to spend a year abroad using a language other than English.

While the student is abroad, they keep in regular contact with their partner school using blog posts, emails, postcards and other resources. In turn the link class can ask questions and post comments to the student. The two-way correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language.

Throughout the year there should be at six contacts with the school and these should relate to the contexts which classes are studying, for example, daily life, food, cultural differences and similarities. Prior to going abroad, students are invited to visit their allocated school and meet the class, as well as to plan possible contributions the students might be able to make once out in the country.

Student experience

Current and former participants have written about their experiences of Language Linking, Global Thinking in the following articles:

Language Linking, Global Thinking: The Life-Changing Impacts of Travel (University of Stirling)
Language Linking, Global Thinking (University of Edinburgh)

Blogs

2021-22

Students in the 2021-22 school session started blogging in November 2021. You can read their blog posts so far below:

Lucy Allan - Lucy is in Spain on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with Prestwick Academy in South Ayrshire.

Giada Angeli - Giada is in Spain on her year abroad from Napier University. She is linked with Whitburn Academy in West Lothian.

Eve Boyle - Eve is in France on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with Renfrew High School in Renfrewshire.

Fiona Campbell - Fiona is in France on her year abroad from the University of Glasgow. She is linked with Kinross High School in Perth and Kinross.

Oliver Duncan - Oliver is in France on his year abroad from the University of Aberdeen. He is linked with Newtonhill Primary in Aberdeenshire.

Erica Henderson - Erica is in France on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with Calderglen High School in South Lanarkshire.

Erica Ho - Erica is in France on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with St John Ogilvie High School in South Lanarkshire.

Callum Johnson - Callum is in Spain on his year abroad from the University of Glasgow. He is linked with The Glasgow Academy.

Louise Lilley - Louise is in Spain on her year abroad from the University of Stirling. She is linked with Larbert High School in Falkirk.

Isla Macpherson - Isla is in France on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with North West Community Campus in Dumfries and Galloway.

Chiara McIntyre - Chiara is in Spain on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with Holy Cross High School in South Lanarkshire.

Stephanie Mock - Stephanie is in Spain on her year abroad from Napier University. She is linked with Dunbar Grammar School in East Lothian.

Calum Murray - Calum is in France on his year abroad from the University of Stirling. He is linked with Alva Academy in Clackmannanshire.

Emma Purdie - Emma is in France on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with Clydebank High School in West Dunbartonshire

Holly Strachan - Holly is in France on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She is linked with St Margaret's School for Girls in Aberdeen.

Emily Wright - Emily is in Spain on her year abroad from the University of Edinburgh. She is linked with Bathgate Academy in West Lothian.

2020-21

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, for the 2020-21 school session a small cohort of students began blogging from January 2021. You can read their blogs below:

Morgan Campbell - Morgan was in Spain on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She was linked with Calderglen High School in South Lanarkshire.

Lucy Cunningham - Lucy was in Spain on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She was linked with St John Ogilvie High School in South Lanarkshire.

Mark Cunningham - Mark was in Spain on his year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. He was linked with Holy Cross High School in South Lanarkshire.

Cass Ezeji - Cass was in Belgium on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde, She was linked with Caldervale High School in North Lanarkshire.

Niamh Ironside - Niamh was in La Réunion on her year abroad from the University of Strathclyde. She was linked with Kinross High School in Perth and Kinross.

Beyond School