Senior Phase
11 October 2024 (SCILT / eSgoil)
We are delighted to be working together with e-Sgoil and DYW Live again this year to deliver the Languages and Your Career webinar. In this session we will explore how languages can contribute to success in a wide range of jobs and career paths. This webinar aims to introduce secondary learners to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work. It is an interactive session with input from people who use languages in their work.
The Languages and Your Career workshop will be repeated each month on different days and times from October until January. The series will then end with a Languages Week Scotland special event in February. All dates are now available to book:
Tuesday 29 October 2.00 – 3.00
Wednesday 27 November 10.00 – 11.00
Monday 16 December 11.00 – 12.00
Friday 17 January 10.00 – 11.00
Thursday 6 February 2.00 – 3.00
All sessions will take place in Glow Teams.
For more information and registration details, see the e-Sgoil website. Please note that the e-Sgoil webpage is in the process of being updated. You are still able to register on that page and will be added to a Team containing full information on the sessions.
Read more...
10 October 2024 (SCILT)
e-Sgoil is working with the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools to offer a 24-week Introduction to Mandarin language and culture to secondary school learners across Scotland.
The course will start w/c 28 October and will be taught via live lessons, delivered on MS Teams on Glow. There will be one 45-minute lesson per week, with options for whole classes to join during the school day, or for individual learners to join after school.
Visit the eSgoil website for more information and to register!
Read more...
Music and writing workshop for secondary students
8 October 2024 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow, in collaboration with the hip-hop duo Lobo & Cotchei, is pleased to offer your school the opportunity to participate in a unique music and writing workshop which will allow students to work with two professional musicians and educators to write lyrics in French and create a complete song, including recording.
Aimed at students studying French at a National 5 or post National 5 level, this workshop can welcome up to 25 students and can be held as a full-day or half-day session (about 3hrs). As part of our outreach programme, it is completely free of charge. The workshop can take place at your school or at the Alliance Française de Glasgow, located at Park Circus.
The available dates for the workshop are between 18 and 22 November.
If your school would like to take part, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@afglasgow.org.uk
Opportunities from Goethe-Institut
8 October 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut offers a range of initiatives to support the teaching and learning of German in schools. Follow the relevant link below to discover more about the upcoming opportunities:
Host a French-speaking trainee teacher
8 October 2024 (Haute école pédagogique Vaud)
The University of Teacher Education in the State of Vaud, Switzerland is developing an exchange programme to bring French-speaking trainee teachers to English-speaking countries to undertake two-month placements in secondary schools.
If you would like to host a participant in your school, see the flyer below for more information and to contact the programme coordinator.
Nihao China Association
8 October 2024 (SCEN)
The Nihao China Association aims to promote Chinese culture to primary and secondary school students in Scotland through recorded courses and in-person interactions, facilitating cultural exchange between China and the UK. We seek to help students gain a deeper understanding of traditional customs and contemporary developments in China, while also providing opportunities for Chinese university student volunteers in Scotland to foster cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
See the attached pdf for a detailed outline of the Association's aims and for more information please contact Y.Shi-76@sms.ed.ac.uk
8 October 2024 (UK-German Connection)
We are delighted to launch applications for our School Partnership Bursaries! These bursaries are for schools (primary, secondary, SEN, FE) to keep their UK-German partnerships alive through supporting contact and collaborative engagement between pupils from September 2024 until December 2025.
The primary beneficiaries should be the young people and particularly those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to take part. The £1,000 bursary can support pupils' travel, accommodation and subsistence costs (some teacher costs can also be covered). Reduced bursaries are also available for virtual projects or joint activities for UK pupils during their German partner's visit in the UK.
Applications close 31 October 2024.
Before submitting your application, please visit the UK-German Connection website to familiarise yourself with our updated guidelines.
You can also register to attend a Q&A webinar about our funding opportunities on:
- Wednesday 23 October, 4.30-5.00pm BST.
Read more...
3 October 2024 (Japan Foundation)
Free online course for teachers interested in setting up a Japanese club at their school, no Japanese knowledge necessary. Sign up now to receive a Japanese Club package (including teacher training) so your school can be ready to run a Japanese Club in near future! The course will start on 7 October 2024.
Visit the Japan Foundation website or see the attached flyer for more information!
Read more...
3 October 2024 (British Council)
The University of Edinburgh and Learning for Sustainability Scotland, in partnership with the British Council, have created two free short online courses on Coursera which will give you the chance to join a global professional and personal learning journey towards a sustainable future.
The five-week course with a focus on sustainability education and learning commencing 7 October aims to support those who want to bring some of the activities and issues covered into their own educational practice. The second ccourse commencing 11 November runs concurrently with COP29.
Visit the website for more information and to sign up.
Read more...
1 October 2024 (Japan Foundation)
Applications for JaLaChamp 2025 are now open! JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese. There are two categories - the speech category, where students give a speech on a theme of their choice, and the video category where students are asked to create an original video either individually or as part of a group.
There are different categories for students at different stages of their Japanese study and we welcome applications from heritage language speakers as well as learners, so please share this information with anyone who might be interested!
- Speech category deadline: 4 February 2025
- Video category deadline: 4 March 2025
Visit the Japan Foundation website for full details, to see videos from the 2024 JaLaChamp finals day and to apply.
Read more...
1 October 2024 (University of Sheffield)
The University of Sheffield invites students of French in Years 12 and 13 in the UK to submit their translation into English of an original short French text.
The authors of the ten best entries will be invited to take part in a special online Translation Workshop in January 2025 organised by the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Sheffield, involving academics from the School, MA students in Translation Studies and alumni who work in translation-related fields. The authors of the three best entries will additionally each receive a prize of a £25 Amazon voucher.
Visit the University of Sheffield website for the competition text and how to enter. Submission deadline: 29 November 2024.
Read more...
26 September 2024 (Institut français)
Know a teacher who deserves recognition for their great work teaching French? Here's your opportunity to nominate them for the French Teacher Award 2024!
Every year, two teachers of French (one in primary and one in secondary school) are selected by a national jury for their significant and committed contribution to French language education in their school and community.
Teachers can apply for themselves or can apply for their colleagues.
Visit the Insittut français website for more information and to submit your nomination by 21 November 2024.
Read more...
French Film Festival UK 2024 Learning Programme
26 September 2024 (French Film Festival)
The 2024 selection of French language films for schools in the French Film Festival Learning Programme are all free of charge to every school! The films will be available from 28 October to 18 December and each comes with its own language resources.
You will find full details of the four films – Divertimento, The Little Gang, Vicky and Her Mystery and Funny Birds – in the attached leaflet, along with the booking link. The programme is also available on the French Film Festival Learning Programme webpage.
To participate in the programme simply click the BOOK NOW AUTUMN link to book your films.
After booking you will receive an automatic email confirmation followed by information from the Festival on how to access the films.
PLEASE BOOK AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE DESIRED SCREENING DATES TO ENSURE YOUR FILM DOWNLOAD ACCOUNT IS IN PLACE.
There are two competitions open to all schools in Scotland this year:
- Write your own film review! The best reviews of a film in the programme will win a year’s subscription for their school to a French language magazine appropriate for their age group. Reviews can be up to 250 words, written in French or English, and can contain drawings. Prizes awarded by the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland.
See Page 5 of the Learning Programme.
- Fais ton cinema! Shoot a video in French to win a class immersion day at the French Institute in March 2025. Open to all primary and secondary schools in Scotland offering French and participating in the French Film Festival UK Learning Programme. Concours de la Francophonie 2025, organised as part of the Mois de la Francophonie.
Further information: Concours de la francophonie 2025.
If at any time you would like to amend your choices or have any queries please contact schools@frenchfilmfestival.org.uk.
26 September 2024 (SCILT)
We are delighted to once again offer the opportunity for S6 school leavers to take part in the Tianjin Scholarship programme to study Mandarin at Tianjin Normal University during the September 2025 to June 2026 academic year.
This is more than just a gap year or a language course. This immersive, life-changing experience can broaden young people's horizons, develop their intercultural competences and open their eyes to endless possibilities for their future. They will have the chance to really master the Chinese language, as well as foster friendships that will last a lifetime and grow and develop as responsible, global citizens who will be effective contributors to society.
The Scholarship is open for any current S6 pupil who attends a state school in a local authority that has a Confucius classroom hub. If your school is in an authority which does not have a hub, you are still eligible to apply if you are participating in the Discovering China National Qualifications courses. This Scholarship is intended to provide an immersive learning experience for pupils with no previous connections to Chinese language and culture. Therefore, applicants must be non-Chinese nationals from a non-native Chinese-speaking background.
Applications for the 2025-26 Scholarship are now open with a closing date of 31 October 2024. Successful applicants at this stage will be informed within two weeks and invited to an interview in Glasgow during the week commencing 18 November, with successful interviewees being informed by the end of November. There will also be a Scholarship information session on Monday 7 October, for more information and any questions you have.
You can find more information about the Scholarship, as well as guidance documents and registration links, on the Scholarship project website.
Read more...
24 September 2024 (TES)
Teachers and schools have less than a week to complete a short languages survey that could prove “crucial” to the future of the subjects in Scottish schools.
There is deep concern about the declining number of students taking languages in Scotland. The survey from British Council Scotland is seeking views on how languages can be boosted in Scottish education, to “ultimately benefit our students in an increasingly interconnected world”.
[..] The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and it is open until 11.59pm on Monday 30 September. (Note - subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
24 September 2024 (e-Sgoil)
Registration for e-Sgoil's 2024-25 Study Support programme is now open!
Open to senior phase students in Scotland working towards national qualifications, the weekly evening Study Support webinars during term time cover a wide range of subjects and levels. Supporting materials are also available.
Visit the website now to see the timetable and register for sessions starting from 28 October 2024.
Read more...
23 September 2024 (SQA)
From today (Monday 23 September), SQA will start publishing its 2024 National Qualifications course reports.
The reports provide teachers and lecturers with a summary of how learners have performed in their exams and coursework for each subject at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level over the past year.
First reports published include ESOL and Latin. Remaining subject reports will be available by the end of October 2024.
Read more...
Living Languages Series 2024-25
19 September 2024 (University of Strathclyde)
Welcome to Living Languages, a series of conversations organised by Languages@Strathclyde and focussing on the theme of employability.
The Living Languages series is an opportunity to hear from high-profile guests, and early career graduates, from a variety of sectors, talking about the role languages have played, and continue to play, in their professional lives.
For this season, we are very pleased to introduce a very exciting list of guests who will share their experiences of using languages in a professional setting. For each event, the relaxed conversation format will also allow audience participation.
Living Languages 2024-25 Programme
- Tuesday 1 October, 5.30pm – From garage to global: building a successful language-based start-up
In conversation with Mark Pentleton, polyglot and CEO of Coffee Break Languages.
Tickets ► Eventbrite
- Thursday 31 October, 5.30pm – Chasing your dreams abroad: playing the game in Paris
In conversation with Finn Russell, professional rugby player and captain of Scotland.
Tickets ► Eventbrite
- Tuesday 3 December, 5.30pm TBC – Where are they now? Stories from recent graduates
In conversation with Kristina Bachtler (Coffee Break Languages), Tom Bell (BBC), Marjorie Hogarth (Visit Scotland) and Caris Simpson (Chivas / Pernot-Ricard).
- Monday 3 February, 5.30pm – A conversation with Amparo Fortuny, Producer and Filmmaker
- Monday 25 February, 5.30pm – Multilingualism in Media: Providing a voice to a multicultural community
In conversation with Rhiannon J Davies, Editor-in-chief, Greater Govanhill magazine
19 September 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut Glasgow together with the University of the West of Scotland are offering 90-minute workshops to S4-6 classes with existing German knowledge. These sessions will be held at your school and will give students a first insight into Politics as a subject and explore the political landscape in both Germany and the UK.
Complete the expression of interest form to receive available dates for the workshops (between October - December 2024).
Read more...
19 September 2024 (University of Strathclyde)
Time to book your in-school visit!
At the University of Strathclyde, while fully supporting the SCILT’s monthly Language Ambassadors online sessions and Scotland's Languages Explorer's Programme, we are also offering on-site visits.
So, get your learners to discover the joys of engaging with a new culture and learning and being able to use another language by organising a visit from one of our Language Ambassadors teams to your school!
Our Language Ambassadors are students of French, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish, on various degrees, including BA Honours in French and Spanish, International Business and a Modern Language, Law and a Language but also Engineering and Science degrees and they are keen to share their experiences of learning and using their languages as well as discovering new cultures.
This programme is free of charge and provides student role models to promote languages to young people in your school. We aim to encourage your learners to engage with young adults who have decided to study languages at university and to have a positive impact on the number of learners who choose languages as part of their high school curriculum.
Language Ambassadors can deliver a range of activities, such as:
- Presentation aimed at various levels about their experiences as university language learners, transitioning from school to university, and their experiences abroad, followed by a Q&A session about the benefits of studying languages;
- ‘Meet & Chat Sessions’ for Senior Phase students who have already selected a language;
- Micro-presentations as part of a school-wide event.
Please visit the Strathclyde Language Ambassadors webpage or contact the programme leader Cédric Moreau to discover more and book a visit from a Strathclyde Language Ambassadors team in 2024/2025.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Ambassadors,
Promoting Languages,
Strathclyde University,
News from language & education organisations
19 September 2024 (UK-German Connection)
Don’t miss out on our upcoming opportunities for teachers and schools to promote cultural exchange in the classroom:
- Professional Enrichment Programme: funded CPD opportunity for teachers of any subject/sector to visit a school in Germany for 1-2 weeks in spring/summer 2025. No German language skills required. Applications close 27 September.
- Host a Teacher from Germany: free programme for teachers of any subject/sector to host a German colleague and boost your school’s international ethos across curriculum. Visits organised flexibly to suit your school. No German language skills required. Register by 27 September.
Visit the UK-German Connection website to find out more about our offers.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
18 September 2024 (SCILT )
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our winter 2024 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This is a chance to showcase innovative projects, language learning celebrations or initiatives which took place before the summer break or so far this term.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 11 October 2024.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
17 September 2024 (British Council)
Language Trends Scotland is an in-depth survey for all primary and secondary schools across the country. The research will provide an independent overview of the teaching of modern languages in Scotland.
The Language Trends series show general shifts in data and seek to provide a springboard for teachers, school leaders, academics, inspectors, policymakers, school pupils, and the public to consider aspects of language learning more deeply.
How to Participate:
We've designed the survey in collaboration with an expert panel in Scotland - the estimated time to complete is 15 minutes.
Ready to make your voice heard? Visit the British Council Language Trends Scotland webpage for more information and to complete the appropriate survey for your sector.
For any further information, please contact Jane Halstead - Jane.Halstead@britishcouncil.org
Read more...
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival school programme
17 September 2024 (Consejería de Educación)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival 2024 takes place from 2-26 October!
The Spanish Embassy Education Office and the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh, who promote the teaching of Spanish language and culture in non-university education throughout the United Kingdom, are supporting the event with a programme for schools. This consists of the screening of two Spanish films: one in a face-to-face session in Edinburgh and the other accessible online for classroom viewing in schools in the UK.
‘The Teacher Who Promised the Sea’ - Screening in Edinburgh
The festival offers the opportunity for both students and teachers to attend an exclusive in-person screening of the film ‘El Maestro que Prometió el Mar’, directed by Patricia Font and nominated for 5 Goya awards in its last edition. The film was a great box office success in Spain with more than 270,000 spectators. The screening will take place on Wednesday 9 October at 10:30 am in the cinema hall of the Institut Français in Edinburgh.
View a trailer of the film on YouTube and read an authentic article about the true story of Antoni Benaiges that inspired the film’.
‘The Olive Tree’ - Online screening
The festival will also offer the possibility of facilitating access to all UK classrooms to watch the film ‘El Olivo’, directed by Icíar Bollaín in 2016 and the winner of a Goya award. To do so, it will only be necessary to request an access code that will allow secondary school classrooms to watch the film from 30 September to 4 October. The film will be accompanied by worksheets for the classroom.
View a trailer of the film on YouTube
Both films have been selected primarily for their pedagogical qualities, so we believe would be an excellent opportunity for secondary school students.
See the attached flyers for full details.
13 September 2024 (SCILT)
Are you a student, or do you know a student considering pursuing language studies beyond secondary education? The Beyond School section of the SCILT website lists university and college language courses here in Scotland, links to UCAS and university guides UK-wide, and help and advice on study abroad options and volunteering overseas. There's also information on school support activities from Scottish further and higher education establishments offering ways to promote language learning benefits and options to students.
It's a useful resource for teachers and Careers Guidance staff to highlight to students, particularly now the UCAS application process is underway.
Read more...
13 September 2024 (SCILT)
The popular SEET competition for Secondary School learners is being run by SCILT this year. This exciting inter-disciplinary project combines language learning with the art of filmmaking, bringing in aspects such as design, drama, sound and technology within the context of Learning for Sustainability.
Learners work in teams to create a storyboard for a film, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals which, if successful they will be given the opportunity to work with a professional filmmaker and turn their ideas into a real short film which will be shown at the film screening showcase and awards ceremony. A great opportunity for budding filmmakers to use their language skills. Further details can be found on the Our World webpage and to find out more, sign up via the link below to come along to our information session on Thursday 26 September!
Read more...
13 September 2024 (Maths Week Scotland)
Maths Week Scotland takes place 23-29 September 2024 with the theme Maths Tales, looking at how Maths is used to tell stories.
During the week a range of challenges are available to schools for pupils to test their numeracy, logic and creativity skills.
Maths wi nae Borders is inspired by the annual Mathématiques sans Frontières contest, this mini-competition combines a language element and is for any class to complete together.
The Maths wi nae Borders challenge opens on 16 September.
Read more...
12 September 2024 (ALL)
ALLNE, NfLNE and partners are once again organising an annual European Day of Languages writing competition for Schools, and in 2024 it is once more open to the whole country!
The organising committee invites language learners in any key stage to create a piece of text in a language they are learning on the theme: Together.
The intention is that this might form an activity in your school around the European Day of Languages itself (26 September), so the deadline for submission of entries will be Wednesday 9 October 2024.
Visit the ALL website for more information.
Read more...
5 September 2024 (FilmG)
The annual FilmG competition is now open!
With two distinct competitionss for Under-18s and Over-18s, participants are challenged to create Gaelic-language films under five minutes in length.
In a change to previous formats, filmmakers are no longer being asked to create a film based on a theme – entries are instead open to the creative license of any subject.
Visit the FilmG website for full details and submit entries by 9 December 2024.
Read more...
Upcoming offers from the Goethe-Institut
3 September 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut offers a range of initiatives to support the teaching and learning of German in schools. The following opportunities are available during the coming term. Follow the appropriate link to find out more:
- Debating competition - the successful debating competition for secondary schools in the United Kingdom is finally returning! This is a great opportunity for students to actively use the German language in an authentic setting, debating social and cultural issues, while getting to know other secondary school students from across the United Kingdom. Rounds take place between November and March. Apply by 19 October 2024.
- Young Goethe Ambassadors - would you like to motivate your students to keep studying German? Invite our Young Goethe Ambassadors into your classroom. Our ambassadors are young German learners who can hold presentations about their experience with German and run small games depending on your needs.
Exciting opportunity to internationalise your curriculum!
30 August 2024 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to offer all primary and secondary state schools the opportunity to have a Chinese language assistant teacher in their school/cluster free of charge in 2024-25!
Your teacher could help deliver L3 Mandarin to primary and BGE classes, lead IDL projects such as Eco Learning Partners (ELP) organise live-link ups with Chinese schools, team teach with Virtual Exchange Teachers (VETs), team teach with your own staff, work with small groups for speaking activities, support senior phase learners with preparation for NQs alongside the Discovering China programme. This exciting opportunity could complement or supplement any existing Mandarin provision you have. Having a Mandarin language assistant teacher could revolutionise your L3 provision this year.
For more information contact karen.liddle@strath.ac.uk for more details.
29 August 2024 (Institut français)
Calling primary and secondary teachers teaching French across Scotland. Between September and November 2024, the Institut français d’Ecosse will be hosting free online workshops for you on 3 different themes on the following dates:
- September 13, on the theme of European Day of languages
- October 11, on the theme of Halloween
- November 15, on the theme of Christmas
Objectives: Top up your French and/or boost your confidence with language, pronunciation tips and culture around the theme of Halloween.
Contents: Tailor-made practical classroom activities around listening, talking, reading and writing skills.
Visit the Institut français d'Ecosse website for additional information and registration.
Read more...
23 August 2024 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. It aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. What is your school doing in 2024?
If you're looking for inspiration, SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. What about creating a language portrait, designing a treasure hunt or hosting a multilingual film night? You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2024 blog. Upload a short description and some colourful photos or email scilt@strath.ac.uk.
If you're sharing your celebrations on X, tag @scottishcilt and use the hashtag #coeEDL to share your celebrations with schools across Europe!
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Teaching,
Linguistic Diversity,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
22 August 2024 (The Conversation)
The 2024 GCSE results reveal that more young people in schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are opting to study a language. French and Spanish remain the most popular languages, with increases of 2.9% and 6.2% from last year respectively.
German, once in steady decline, has gone up by 3.5% compared to last year, but has still seen fewer entries than in 2022. Meanwhile, only 16,429 students took a GCSE in a classical subject – which includes Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew and Latin.
The most significant surges in interest have been for Irish (a 14.8% rise) and what is referred to as “other modern languages” (8.1%). This relates to all modern languages except French, German, Irish, Spanish and Welsh. It includes non-European languages such as Mandarin and Arabic as well as some common home and community languages, such as Polish, Portuguese and Urdu.
Read more...
Moving Forward with Languages 2024-25
15 August 2024 (SCILT)
Following feedback from interested schools, SCILT has adapted the proposed format of the “Moving Forward with Languages 2024-25” conference days. These will now be as follows:
- Wednesday 11 September – in-person only conference day held at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow
- Wednesday 11 December – online only conference day
The conference workshops will be delivered in collaboration with colleagues in university languages departments across Scotland and are aimed at Higher and Advanced Higher language learners and their teachers! Please note that places for the September conference will be limited to 8 places per school (including staff).
The second conference day, held online, will take place on Wednesday 11 December. Registrations for this event will open in October.
Workshops at both conference days will cover a range of languages, and learners will have the chance to gather advice and tips on the languages that they are learning right now and get a flavour of what it is like to study languages at university level.
Registrations for the September in-person conference day at the University of Strathclyde will open on Friday 23 August via the SCILT ebulletin.
Please note that, due to SCILT’s funding conditions and the physical capacity restrictions of the in-person conference day, attendance at the September event is open to state schools only. Independent schools will be able to register for the online conference day in December.
13 August 2024 (Alliance Française)
The course from Alliance Française Glasgow is aimed at secondary school French teachers and consists of a mix of conversation and grammar. The idea is to discuss current affairs and contemporary topics of France and French speaking countries but also to offer grammar refreshers for the B2 level.
The course will start on 16 September. The classes will last for 2 hours and will take place every two weeks. Most of the classes will be online with an on-site version every 4 weeks in order for participants to meet in person.
Visit the Alliance Française website for full details and to book.
Read more...
Opportunities from Goethe-Institut
6 August 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut offers a range of initiatives to support the teaching and learning of German in schools. The following opportunities are available during the coming term. Follow the appropriate link to find out more:
For pupils
- Debating competition - a chance for teams of four S5 learners of German to actively use the German language in an authentic setting whilst meeting other students from across the UK. Rounds take place between November and March. Apply by 19 October 2024.
- Discover Careers with German - online business lunch series of live conversations with different people from the world of work whose careers have been shaped by learning German. Aimed at secondary learners, upcoming sessions in October, November and December 2024.
- Young Goethe Ambassadors - would you like to motivate your students to keep studying German? Invite our Young Goethe Ambassadors into your classroom. Our ambassadors are young German learners who can hold presentations about their experience with German and run small games depending on your needs.
For teachers
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
Scotland,
Careers,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Learning for Work,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
Filmmaking competition boosts language and interdisciplinary skills in 1000 Scottish secondary pupils
5 July 2024 (SCILT/SEET)
On 12 June 2024, partners and trustees of the Scottish European Education Trust (SEET) welcomed learners from 23 Scottish secondary schools to Brodies LLP in Glasgow in order to showcase students’ work and celebrate their achievements in this year’s Our World competition.
Congratulations to the winning teams from Clydeview Academy, Park School, Prestwick Academy, Ardrossan Academy, Thurso High, Bellahouston Academy and The Glasgow Academy!
Partners and trustees alike expressed their pleasure at witnessing such diversity within Scotland’s education communities, as represented by the 54 schools participating in the Junior and Senior competitions.
Our World is a languages and citizenship themed filmmaking project for secondary school pupils. Run by SEET, the project supports Curriculum for Excellence and the aspirations of the Scottish Government Attainment Challenge through an interdisciplinary approach that encourages pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
In total 1000 pupils participated in the Our World competition this year. Twenty-three teams reached the national final; 19 teams in the Junior category (S1-S3) and four teams in the Senior category (S4-S6), representing 19 local authorities and one independent school.
The first phase of the competition ran from September to December and teams of four designed a storyboard for the film they proposed to make. The second phase included an all-day filmmaking workshop, where teams turned their storyboards into real films, working with media professionals to produce and edit their films. This phase runs from February to March. The final stage of Our World is the award ceremony in June when all participating teams are invited to attend a premiere to showcase the films they have made.
Thank you to SEET's funders as well as generous individual donors. We are grateful for support from partner organisations and local authorities.
SEET is particularly grateful to SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages for their assistance in managing this year’s final.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peace, justice and strong institutions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peace, justice and strong institutions
|
|
|
|
|
Peer choice award (voted on by fellow pupils)
|
|
Peace, justice and strong institutions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decent work and economic growth
|
|
|
|
|
Peer choice award (voted on by fellow pupils)
|
|
|
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) is an independent, non-political charity committed to promoting international education, skills development and language learning amongst children and young people in Scotland.
20 June 2024 (SCILT)
Building on the success of the “Moving Forward with Languages” workshop series, SCILT has teamed up with languages departments from universities across Scotland to run not one, but two language conference days specifically for Higher and Advanced Higher language learners and their teachers!
Registrations will open in August for the first conference day, which will take place on Wednesday 11 September at the University of Strathclyde. The second conference day will take place in early December and the date will be confirmed early in the new session.
Both conference days will feature an in-person programme for those who can attend physically, and a separate online programme for those who would like to attend virtually. Workshops will cover a range of languages, and learners will have the chance to gather advice and tips on the languages that they are learning right now and get a flavour of what it is like to study languages at university level.
If you would like to receive more information about these conferences after the summer break, please register your interest via the form link below.
Read more...
European Day of Languages - Save the date!
20 June 2024 (Institut français)
On Friday 27 September the Institut français d’Ecosse, together with European consulates and cultural organisations, will be celebrating European Day for Languages in Edinburgh with morning activities aimed at S2 and S3 pupils and two conferences in the afternoon. One of the conferences will focus on how European writers foster creativity and ‘out of the box’ thinking style through language and the other on multilingualism and creativity. They will be followed by a cocktail.
Watch this space for further information to come late August!
You can also contact Charlotte Hyvernaud, Education attachée, Institut français d’Ecosse : charlotte.hyvernaud@institut-francais.org.uk
20 June 2024 (Institut français)
Come to discover the insight of working for the World’s Greatest Arts Festival, see our “Vive le Fringe!” shows for free and be surrounded by creative and artistic minds!
Our volunteer missions involve supporting our communication team (flyers distribution, social media), our box office team (welcoming the public, checking tickets, be aware of our safety guidelines) and our cultural team (liaising with artists).
Want to know more? Send us an email at vivelefringe.ifecosse@gmail.com with the subject line “FRINGE VOLUNTEER” indicating your availability in August, some details about yourself and a few sentences about why you would like to volunteer with us. Applications are open for those aged 16 and up until Sunday 30 June 2024 at midnight. If you are aged between 16 and 17 you will need a parent or guardian’s permission.
Read more...
20 June 2024 (Institut français)
The 'Concours de la francophonie' : an annual rendez-vous for schools!
The 'Concours de la francophonie' is organised every year by the Institut français d’Ecosse since its creation in 2016.
For the 2025 edition, there will be two competitions:
- One for primary school pupils
- One for secondary school pupils
For the first time the competition associates the Institut français d’Ecosse with the French Film Festival UK Learning Programme (FFF UK).
All primary and secondary schools in Scotland offering French and participating in the French Film Festival UK Learning Programme will be eligible to enter the 'Concours de la francophonie', in line with the rules. Submission deadline: 15 January 2025.
Visit the 'Concours de la francophonie' website for full details.
Read more...
18 June 2024 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection is inviting applications for a funded school partnership seminar taking place in Mainz, Germany from 21 to 24 November 2024. Open to UK teachers (all sectors and subject areas) with no active UK-German school partnership who are interested in linking with schools in Germany. The seminar includes school visits to gain insights into school life in Germany.
Visit the UK-German Connection website for full details and to apply by 10 July.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Cultural Diversity,
Funding,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
18 June 2024 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK 2024 Learning Programme will once again be bringing French-speaking cinema into schools free of charge this autumn! The programme of four films, each accompanied by learning packs, will run between 28 October and 18 December. This year we are linking up with the French Institute in Scotland for the Francophonie Competition for schools.
Full details will be available on the French Film Festival website shortly and book up your film from mid-August onwards.
The attached programme flyer contains booking links and email contacts for further information about the learning resources and the Francophonie competition.
Read more...
16 August 2024 (SCILT)
Box fresh and open for bookings! SCILT’s menu of CLPL group workshops for 2024-25.
Up-to-date and interactive, SCILT workshops for teachers are a great way for you and your colleagues to explore aspects of languages pedagogy with our experienced Professional Development Officers.
If you are the person in your department, school, cluster or local authority with a remit to source high quality subject specific professional learning for colleagues, then you will definitely be interested in our brand new menu of CLPL workshops.
For 2024-25, our carefully designed inputs cover a variety of topics related to the learning and teaching of languages:
Primary and Early Years
- First steps in teaching primary modern languages
- Valuing linguistic diversity in schools, with families
- Bringing the languages content to primary interdisciplinary learning
- Making assessment in primary languages active and accessible
- Give careers education a languages twist for your primary pupils
Secondary
- Teaching Sprints – Small change, big impact
- Social-Emotional learning for languages
- Talking and listening
- Reading and writing
- BYOW: Build your own workshop
We are always happy to accommodate bespoke CLP requests too. Whatever your colleagues need, just ask and we will design a workshop with tailored content, just for them.
For more detail about the menu, and to book one or more workshop for the group of teachers that you support, see the professional learning request form.
Read more...
Goethe-Institut opportunities for learners of German
11 June 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
Find out more about the upcoming initiatives for schools and learners of German by following the appropriate link:
- Discover Careers with German - The Business Lunch Series is a series of live online conversations with different people from the world of work whose careers have been shaped by learning the German language. Aimed at pupils S3 upwards with preparatory materials for teachers. Next event takes place 27 June 2024.
- Karriere Quantum - New programme for 16-18 year-olds and teachers from all over Europe revolving around quantum technologies and the German language. Apply for a place in one of our five innovative one-week camps taking place over 2024 and 2025 in Dublin, Rome, London, Amsterdam and Madrid.
- Comic poster exhibition: "Komplett Kafka" - Introduce learners to the life and work of Franz Kafka with this poster exhibition and associated teaching materials. The exhibition can be ordered via the Goethe-Institut website.
11 June 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you a non-specialist German teacher already delivering German lessons in some shape or form? Would you like to find out why German is the smart choice for your school? Would you like support with getting the ball rolling? Are you interested in setting up a German club at your primary or secondary school?
The Goethe-Institut is offering an exclusive, funded trip to Berlin in November 2024 for primary and secondary school teachers and headteachers that is geared towards introducing German in schools or strengthening its status.
State school teachers and headteachers from the UK can submit their applications supported by a motivational letter (max 400 words) until 31 August 2024. Successful candidates will be informed soon thereafter.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to apply.
Read more...
11 June 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
Boost target language in your classroom! Increase motivation in your young learners! Get to know Germany and the vibrant city of Berlin!
The Goethe-Institut London is offering secondary school teachers from across the UK the chance to take part in a funded pedagogical training course taking place in Berlin in November 2024.
State school secondary teachers from the UK can submit their applications supported by a motivational letter (up to 400 words) until 31 August 2024. Successful candidates will be informed soon thereafter.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to apply.
Read more...
10 June 2024 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is looking to recruit a teacher specialising in courses for children and young people to start September 2024.
Visit the Alliance Française website for the job specification and application details.
Read more...
30 May 2024 (The Guardian)
Fewer pupils in England are studying drama, media and performing arts at GCSE and A-level, while the popularity of statistics, computing, physics and maths has gone up.
Provisional figures for exam entries in England this summer, published by the exams regulator Ofqual on Thursday, also reveal a growing enthusiasm for modern foreign languages, which had been in long-term decline.
The number of French A-level candidates has grown by 8% over the last year, Spanish by 2.3% and German by 3.1%, the last albeit from a very low base, taking numbers up to 2,280. The biggest jump at A-level is in further maths, where entry numbers have shot up by almost 20%.
Read more...
30 May 2024 (Institut français)
The Institut français du Royaume-uni (London) invites secondary school teachers to join a free two-part online training workshop on French culture.
During the Cultural Enrichment Workshop for Secondary Teachers you will take part in activities to be used in your classroom to help your pupils deepen their cultural knowledge and vocabulary on various aspects of French culture.
Sessions take place in June/July with limited places available.
Register interest by Friday 14 June.
Read more...
28 May 2024 (DAAD/ILCS)
The deadline for entries to the DAAD/ILCS German Language Competition 2024 has been extended! All levels of German learners in the UK can take part, use their written German skills and have the chance to win some exciting prizes by putting together the front page of a fictional newspaper in the German-speaking world.
More information and submission details can be found on the competition website. Submission deadline: EXTENDED TO 20 JUNE.
Read more...
24 May 2024 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT's work to support language learning and teaching, including our language initiatives and research-informed practice. Find out how Languages Week Scotland 2024 was celebrated across the country and hear about the latest inspiring activities from local authorities. There is also an opportunity to read about the work of our partners in supporting and promoting language learning in Scotland.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
15 May 2024 (The Gazette)
Pupils at a Paisley school have been commended for their "attitude to modern languages" after coming runners up in a national competition. Seven youngsters from S4 and S5 at Mary Russell School helped secure the position after their teacher, Laura Muir, signed them up to compete in a national French competition with the Institut Francais in Edinburgh. The education hub, for people with additional support needs (ASN), discovered that many pupils were fond of learning a new language.
Read more...
13 May 2024 (The Scotsman)
Nominations are now open in a national Teacher of the Year competition in Scotland. Led by fintech Miconex and sponsored by group collecting platform GiftRound, the competition has £1250 in local gift cards as the prize.
The teacher who is crowned as Teacher of the Year, and their school, will each win a £500 Town & City Gift Card or Scotland Loves Local Gift Card. One person who nominated the Teacher of the Year will also win a £250 local gift card.
It is free for people to nominate their Teacher of the Year, and all types of teachers are eligible including primary and secondary school teachers, higher education teachers, early years teachers and special educational needs teachers in the UK.
Read more...
14 May 2024 (UK-German Connection)
UK schools and further education colleges interested in hosting a teacher from Germany in 2024-25 can register now!
Applicants can host a German teacher (in-person or virtually) for one, two or three weeks during the academic year with no costs involved for UK schools.
The programme is open to teachers of all subjects and German does not need to be offered at your school.
Visit the UK-German Connection website to find out more about the programme. You can also register for one of the Q&A webinar sessions coming up on 20 May and 12 June.
Read more...
9 May 2024 (BBC)
Sharing knowledge between schools is a "win-win situation" when it comes to learning a second language, according to a Ballyclare teacher.
Pupils in the County Antrim town have come together to tackle the falling numbers of children who learn a second language in Northern Ireland.
Sixth form students from Ballyclare High School teach language classes to pupils in several local primary schools.
Jonny Nelson, head of Spanish at the school, said the lessons are mutually beneficial for the students.
Learning a second language is not compulsory for primary school children in Northern Ireland.
The 'Language Leaders' scheme allows primary school pupils to get a taste of German, French and Spanish, which they would not otherwise learn on the primary curriculum.
The sixth form students lead lessons including games and interactive activities for younger pupils, while they in turn are provided with leadership and teaching experience.
"Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK at the moment that doesn't have a primary languages programme as part of the curriculum so we have to take the steps to try and instil that knowledge and enthusiasm from day one," Mr Nelson told BBC News NI.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
Senior Phase,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Northern Ireland,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
Languages in the press
7 May 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut is offering teachers and state schools the opportunity to run a songwriting and body music workshop with German artists Celina Bostic and Sarah Lasaki for their 15-18 year old German learners. Participation of students of the global majority would be particularly welcome.
Choice of four dates in June available.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information about the opportunity and how to apply.
Read more...
Exciting opportunity to internationalise your curriculum!
3 May 2024 (SCILT/CISS)
SCILT is delighted to offer state primary and secondary schools in Scotland the opportunity to have a Chinese language assistant teacher in their school/cluster free of charge in 2024-25!
Your teacher could help deliver L3 Mandarin to primary and BGE classes, lead IDL projects such as Eco Learning Partners, organise live-link ups with Chinese schools, team teach with Virtual Exchange Teachers, team teach with your own staff, work with small groups for speaking activities, support senior phase learners with preparation for NQs alongside the Discovering China Programme. This exciting opportunity could complement or supplement any existing Mandarin provision you have. Having a Mandarin language assistant teacher could revolutionise your L3 provision next year.
You can register your interest in the opportunity via the online form where you can also sign up to attend an information session on Thursday 23 May at 4pm.
Language courses for pupils at Edinburgh College
2 May 2024 (Edinburgh College)
School pupils who find their chosen language qualification is not offered in their school can study their NQ language course online for free with Edinburgh College.
The college offers National 5 courses in French, German and Spanish as well as Higher and Advanced Higher French, German, Italian and Spanish.
See the attached flyer for details.
Master's degree research project - participant recruitment
2 May 2024 (Pierre Meziere)
Calling secondary teachers of French! Your input would be appreciated in a research study being conducted for a Master’s dissertation in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition at the University of Oxford.
The project aims to study how teachers of French perceive themselves and what relationship they maintain with the language, especially how labels such as ‘native speaker’ and ‘non-native speaker’ affect their personal and professional identities but also their teaching practices.
This project is going to take place over two periods: an initial questionnaire followed by a round of interviews in French on a voluntary basis.
The only requirements are:
- to be a teacher of French and
- to have experience in the UK (at secondary level preferably)
Link to the initial questionnaire.
Contact pierre.meziere@education.ox.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
1 May 2024 (Japan Foundation)
Funding is available for promoting Japanese language education in the UK. Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which promote Japanese language education, such as introducing Japanese into the curriculum, creating a Japanese club, supporting formal qualifications or other projects.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information or join one of the Q&A sessions on 8 May. Submit applications by 23 May 2024.
Read more...
25 April 2024 (OU)
The Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS) run by the Open University is now accepting applications for 2024-25.
The scheme is fully-funded by the Scottish Funding Council and enables S6 pupils to study first year university-level courses alongside school studies, enhancing skills and UCAS/college applications.
A range of subjects are offered, including French, German, Spanish and Exploring Languages & Cultures.
Whilst registration for the scheme closes on 2 September, students are encouraged to apply before the summer holidays to ensure they are able to register onto their chosen course.
Visit the YASS website for more information.
Read more...
25 April 2024 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that the winning and highly commended entries from this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition are now available to view on the SCILT website. As it was the 10th anniversary year since the start of the competition in Scotland, you can also see a short video homage to MTOT over that time.
A massive thank you once again to all the pupils and teachers who participated this year and those who've supported the event previously.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Linguistic Diversity,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
23 April 2024 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize is the leading annual prize for poetry in translation, with categories for pupils, teachers and individual young people in the UK and Ireland, as well as an Open category for adults from all over the world. The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language – from French to Farsi, from Spanish to Somali – and win publication and cash prizes! There's also a Spotlight Prize category which this year celebrates the Portuguese language.
The 2024 prize opens on 1 May, but teachers can register to involve their students now. Visit the Stephen Spender Prize website for more information.
Read more...
22 April 2024 (French Ministry of Education / British Council)
Developed in partnership with the French Ministry of Education and Youth, the Franco-British version of British Council's Schools Connect programme provides teachers with classroom resources and useful information designed to enrich international teaching and learning.
Working with a wide range of schools across France through projects, events, courses and workshops, the British Council brings the best of UK expertise and innovation in school education and facilitates mutually beneficial relationships between school systems and professionals in France and the UK.
Visit the Schools Connect France website for more information and guidance on establishing a school partnership.
Read more...
The Big Question - One step beyond!
19 April 2024 (SCILT)
Last year the SCILT Big Question series focused on the four core skills – listening, reading, writing and talking. This year we plan to go One Step Beyond!
This series of weekly workshops in May and June aimed at secondary practitioners will take each skill to another level, looking at issues in that area and practical ways to approach them. Come and join us as we examine strategies and share resources and activities!
Each session will feature the chance to hear from guest practitioners, and the opportunity to discuss and share with fellow teachers, and hopefully together to come up with some answers to these questions!
The four sessions are:
One step beyond listening – interpreting as a tool for learning and teaching
Tuesday 21 May 16.00-17.00
Interpreting is often seen as a skill that is the preserve of specialists at post-university level, but it is an essential social skill for all learners and a useful language learning tool in preparing them for real-life situations in their jobs and studies. Engaging in active learning through simple interpreting tasks can motivate learners and have huge benefits for their listening and talking skills, and in this session we will look at ways to build this into learning and teaching.
One step beyond talking – the importance of social-emotional learning in languages
Wednesday 29 May 16.00-17.00
Social-emotional learning (SEL) gives a framework for understanding the impact emotions have on learning. In the languages context, this is most visible when we need our learners to talk. This session will explore how SEL techniques can be used to improve learner confidence and self-efficacy, and help us develop an environment where learners feel empowered to use their talking skills with comfort.
One step beyond the classroom – outdoor learning and languages
Wednesday 5 June 16.00-17.00
Outdoor learning is beneficial for young people’s mental, physical and emotional health. It’s also a great way to support language learning in a fun, relevant, impactful way. In this session, we will look at the advantages of taking language learning outdoors and share ideas and practical tips to make the most of your outdoor spaces.
One step beyond reading and writing – the use of AI in languages: a blessing or a curse?
Thursday 13 June 16.00-17.00
What are the implications of AI for languages education in schools? Does it require a total rethink, as suggested in Professor Zhao’s article? In this session we will examine the benefits and issues around the growth of AI and how this can work for learners and for us in languages classes.
Seminars are free to attend and are open to all secondary languages teachers and student teachers; attend as many or as few as you wish!
The sessions will be hosted on MS Teams and will not be recorded.
Registrations for all workshops are open now via the links above. Please also see attached flyer which can be shared with colleagues.
Celebrating the learning of Mandarin within Scottish schools
16 April 2024 (SCEN)
SCEN are keen to showcase and promote the learning of Mandarin within schools in Scotland. You are invited to create a short (around five minutes) video to celebrate the learning of Mandarin in your school.
Take a look at the video produced by Boroughmuir High School (and associated primaries) in Edinburgh sharing their thoughts as they continue their Mandarin journey.
Submissions will be promoted and shared on the SCEN website.
For further information, advice and support about making a short film in your school please contact youthvoice@scen.info.
11 April 2024 (SCILT)
We’re delighted to announce the winners of our recent poster competition for school-aged learners of Italian of any level (including those with no prior learning). The prompt was ‘Cosa significa L’Italia per me’ – what Italy means to me – and we asked learners to include as much Italian language as they were able to. We received some fantastic entries across the four different age categories, and the S1-S3 category was especially popular, so we decided to feature some specially commended entries too. A big thanks to everyone who created a poster for the competition, and to their teachers who sent in all the entries!
Read more...
11 April 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Gimagine Award for young learners (aged 14-18) is finally here! Become one of the first classgroups to enrol in this new online programme to engage your students through fun German videos and bite-sized exercises. Enter your classgroup in the First Finisher’s Competition for a chance to win an invitation to the Sommerfest der deutschen Sprachen on 1 July, hosted by the German Embassy in London! Travel costs will be covered. Submission deadline is 9 June 2024. Please note only state schools are eligible for participation.
Visit the Goethe-Institut Gimagine Award website for more information.
Read more...
9 April 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
We are keen to expand our GEM (German Expert Mentors) programme and would like to offer teachers across the UK the opportunity to offer school-to-school support via coaching and training. We are currently looking for German teachers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who would like to work for us as professional development trainers for German teachers. On behalf of the Goethe-Institut they will be offering coaching and training courses for German teachers across the UK.
Along with several years of experience in teaching German as a foreign language at a primary or secondary school, applicants must have the support and approval of their headteacher confirming that the school supports their participation in the programme.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for full details and to apply. Deadline extended to 7 May 2024.
Read more...
9 April 2024 (Consejería de Educación)
British/Irish teachers of Spanish can apply for a one-week immersion course for Summer 2024 in Ávila, Segovia or Santander (a good command of Spanish is required).
The grant covers the course, accommodation and meals, as well as the cultural programme. The grant does not cover the journey to Spain or the return to the UK. Travel and/or health insurance is also not included
This call is not for Spanish nationals.
Visit the Consejería de Educación website for more information and apply by 24 April 2024.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Spanish,
CPD,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education
28 March 2024 (DAAD/ILCS)
The DAAD/ILCS German Language Competition 2024 is now live! All levels of German learners are invited to take part, use their written German skills and have the chance to win some exciting prizes.
GLC 2024:
This year, the competition takes newspapers as its theme. Entrants are asked to put together the front page of a fictional newspaper in the German-speaking world. The catch: they are writing the final edition of 2024 and must select the most important stories of a year that has not yet finished.
Who knows what the year might bring? How is our understanding of events influenced by the way they are reported? By writing two or three short articles from different categories, participants have complete freedom to imagine how the year might unfold and bring their unique voice and perspective to the reporting. It allows entrants to explore the world of news and German-language media and play with different writing styles.
All winners will be invited to a journalism workshop and prize ceremony in London, with an overnight stay for those coming from outside of London! This will take place in October 2024.
Teaching materials:
We would especially like to draw your attention to the teaching and learning material which we have prepared to accompany the competition this year. A workbook can be found on our website with exercises on topics related to journalism for students at all levels, and which can be used both for classwork and individually. There is also a separate document which compiles background information on the press in Germany, a useful newspaper glossary, German media resources for learners to explore and further teaching materials designed by German organisations explicitly for use in schools!
How to enter:
You can find all information about the competition including the brief, instructions on how to take part and the teaching and learning material on the DAAD/ILCS German Language Competition 2024 website.
The closing date for entries to the competition is 6 June 2024.
Read more...
22 March 2024 (SCILT / eSgoil)
SCILT is going to be offering two more online Languages and Your Career sessions before the summer and we'd love to see you there! These sessions will be different from previous ones offered as they will be tailored specifically to particular groups of learners. These will be:
Wednesday 15 May 11.00 - 12.00, a session aimed specifically at Secondary BGE learners (S1-3) which will explore the fun, transferrable employability skills associated with languages. We will examine together how these are a valuable asset in any learner’s skillset.
Tuesday 11 June 2.00 – 3.00, a session aimed directly at Senior Phase pupils just starting new courses. This will look further forward from the perspective of those who have already chosen languages and will include tips on making the most of the language learning experience in school and beyond.
Like previous sessions, these webinars aim to introduce learners to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work.
Both sessions will take place within the Languages and Your Career Glow Team. Registration is via e-Sgoil.
Read more...
21 March 2024 (Consejería de Educación)
Do you have a student currently enrolled in A-level / Advanced Higher Spanish with a brilliant academic record? You can nominate them for the 11th call for “Best Spanish Student Award in the United Kingdom" in collaboration with Junta de Castilla y León. The prize consists of a 3-day stay in Spain for two people.
Deadline for nominations: 5 May 2024.
Visit the Spanish Embassy Education Office website for more information.
Read more...
18 March 2024 (UK-German Connection)
Share your thoughts on UK-German school partnerships - whether you already have a long-standing partnership, have just started out, or would like to establish a link, UK-German Connection would like to hear your views. We are currently reviewing our opportunities and services that we provide to schools and teachers to determine how we can best support you and your UK-German school partnerships.
The survey closes on 17 April 2024. Your suggestions will be anonymised and will help us tailor and develop our future offers and support services.
In the survey, you will also have the opportunity to register your interest in a partner-finder seminar with teachers from Germany, expected to take place in Autumn 2024.
Thank you for your participation!
Read more...
12 March 2024 (Poetry Society)
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is one of the biggest and most prestigious poetry competitions for 11-17 year olds in the world. Every year, 15 top winners and 85 commended poets are chosen; together, they represent some of the most exciting new voices writing today.
This year’s judges are the fantastic Vanessa Kisuule and Jack Underwood, and they can’t wait to read your poems! If you’re aged 11-17, send in your poems for the chance to be among the 100 winners and kick-start your writing career.
Teachers, librarians and youth workers are encouraged to enter class sets of students’ poems using the teacher submission portal.
Poems must be written in English, but you can include phrases in your mother tongue or another language.
Entry deadline is 31 July 2024.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
5 March 2024 (eSgoil)
Registration for eSgoil's Easter Study Support 2024 is now open!
Easter Study Support is for Senior Phase learners who are working towards National Qualifications. This year there are seventy-four different webinar Teams, covering a wide range of subjects and levels.
Live, interactive and free, the sessions will support learners towards final exams.
Visit eSgoil's website for the full timetable and to register for the webinars.
Read more...
Online workshops for teachers and Spanish courses for students under 18 in Salamanca
1 March 2024 (Consejería de Educación)
Online workshop
The next in the series of online workshops being run by Consejería de Educación during February and March 2024 takes place 12 March. Follow the link below for more information and to register:
- Upcoming workshop, Tuesday 12 March 2024 (16:30-17:30): « La gramática española a través del verso y la poesía», organised alongside Andalucia TRADE and with the collaboration of Maravillas Programas Internacionales.
More information and free registration (before 10 March).
Spanish courses for students under 18 in Salamanca
Cursos Internacionales (University of Salamanca) is offering a programme in Spanish aimed at students under 18.
The programme (ranging from 1 to 2 weeks in length) includes lessons and full board accommodation in a residence, health insurance for the duration of the program, afternoon activities and transfer to and from the airport.
For further information see the attached brochure or email internat@usal.es
29 February 2024 (British Council)
Hosting a Language Assistant helps enhance language learning, boost student results and build cultural capital. Flexible hosting options are available with different placement lengths and sharing possibilities.
Applications to host a Modern Language Assistant for the 2024-25 academic year are now open (29 February – 30 April). To guarantee a Mandarin Chinese Language Assistant, you must submit your application by 28 March.
Our team is well-equipped to support you and we would love to hear from you if you would like to discuss how we could help make it work for you in 2024-25. To speak to a colleague, please email LanguageAssistants.UK@BritishCouncil.org.
Visit the British Council website to find out more.
Read more...
Mother Tongue Other Tongue 2023-24 winners announced!
23 February 2024 (SCILT)
It gave us great pleasure to welcome pupils, teachers and special guests to our online 10th anniversary Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition awards on 21 February. The date chosen for the event was significant being International Mother Language Day, a day to celebrate all world languages. We were delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
Mother Tongue
P1-P4
- Yuexin Li, St Martin's Primary (Winner)
- Taras Sukhodolskyi, West Primary (Highly Commended)
- Vova Abramov, West Primary (Highly Commended)
P5-P7
- Timothy Ishie, St James' Primary (Winner)
- Artem Bonardchuk, St John Ogilvie Primary ((Highly Commended)
- Chizara, Rua, Godwin & Mariama, St Maria Goretti Primary (Highly Commended)
- Hasnain Ali Shah, West Primary (Highly Commended)
- Kate Kaludova, West Primary (Highly Commended)
S1-S3
- Lavina Tsang, Craigmount High School (Winner)
- Alexia Rigg, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
- Ewen Darroch, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
- Jenny, Gemma, Sophie, Tess, Asra & Emma, Craigmount High School (Highly Commended)
- Mairi Stephen, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
S4-S6
- Nova Senkowska, Mearns Castle High School (Winner)
- Anotidaishe Mugwagwa, Kirkintilloch High School (Highly Commended)
Other Tongue
P1-P4
- Naomi & Caellum, Bunessan Primary (Winner)
- P4 Class, The Glasgow Academy Newlands & MIlngavie (Highly Commended)
P5-P7
- Alasdair MacDonald, Salen Primary (Winner)
- Lauren Stewart, Goodlyburn Primary (Highly Commended)
- Lilia Fournier, George Watson's College (Highly Commended)
S1-S3
- Amelia Armstrong, Kirkintilloch High School (Winner)
- Emma Pacci, Bearsden Academy (Highly Commended)
- Harrison Williams, Craigmount High School (Highly Commended)
S4-S6
- Natasha Dickson, Kirkintilloch High School (Winner)
- Abby Leitch, Graeme High School (Highly Commended)
- Katie MacNeil, Kirkintilloch High School (Highly Commended)
All our finalists will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy and be offered the chance for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
This year we were also delighted to host a special strand of the competition focusing on Spanish entries. The winning entries in this category were:
- Emma Llovera Meneses - Kirklandneuk Primary
- Axel Llovera Meneses - Kirklandneuk Primary
- The Language Ambassadors (Araav, Vihaan, Grace, Marc, Alexander, Poppy, Anaya & Maya) - The Glasgow Academy
- Spanish Club (Brooklyn, Bion, Rishi & Tobi) – Craigmount High School
Teachers with students who entered in this category will be contacted separately regarding their awards which are kindly sponsored by the Instituto Cervantes in Manchester.
It is our intention to host each of the finalists’ poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available to view.
Congratulations again to all our finalists and a big thank you for supporting the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition!
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
22 February 2024 (University of Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators is run by Queen's Translation Exchange, University of Oxford. The competition is free to enter and aims to promote language learning across the UK and inspire creativity in the modern languages classroom.
- For students of French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish in KS3-5.
- In addition to the competition task, teachers receive up to 15 sets of resources for each language on translating poetry, fiction, non-fiction for use in the build-up to the competition.
- Deadline for competition entries: 28 March 2024.
- Winners selected for 10 geographical areas. National winners selected for each level in each language. All winners and commendations announced on our webpage.
- Last year over 14,000 pupils across the UK took part and the feedback from teachers was enormously positive.
- Teachers can register to receive classroom resources and competition tasks on the Anthea Bell Prize website.
For more information visit the website or contact: translation.exchange@queens.ox.ac.uk.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
20 February 2024 (UK-German Connection)
The Professional Enrichment Programme offers qualified UK teachers a funded opportunity to visit a German school for 1-2 weeks during the 2023-24 school year to develop skills and knowledge through intercultural exchange.
The programme is open to teachers of all disciplines and you don’t need to have an existing link with Germany to take part. Teachers can either visit their partner school or be matched with a German host school.
Application deadline: 1 March 2024
A Q&A webinar is being held on Tuesday 27 February at 4.30pm to answer your questions and provide guidance.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Cultural Diversity,
Funding,
Language Learning,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
20 February 2024 (Institut français)
The French Pop Video Competition is a national competition organised by Francophonie UK supported by TV5Monde for all primary and secondary students of French in the UK.
Students get to engage with French in a creative and fun way, improving writing skills and vocabulary by creating their own lyrics and practising speaking skills by performing and recording their song/rap.
Visit the Institut français website to learn more and register to take part in the competition by 10 March 2024. The deadline for entries is 1 May 2024.
Read more...
13 February 2024 (Bilingualism Matters / SCILT)
Bilingualism Matters and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages are offering a series of free, online professional learning workshops for teachers in complementary and heritage language schools, based in the UK and beyond. The remaining workshops in the series are:
February workshop - The Language Learning Buzz: Strategies to engage and motivate learners, both online and in the classroom. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
March workshop - The Supportive Classroom: Strategies to support learning and encourage positive mindsets within a group of mixed ability learners. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
See the attached flyer for more information. You can book a place at these workshops via the Bilingualism Matters website.
Read more...
12 February 2024 (SQA)
The SQA has recently published Common Questions documentation for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher on their Modern Languages webpage.
Read more...
German Pupil Courses 2024
9 February 2024 (UK-German Connection)
Applications for UK-German Connection's summer courses for German learners and CPD opportunities for teachers are now open. Encourage your pupils to apply for this unique chance to spend two weeks in Germany, bringing language learning to life!
German Pupil Courses
- Two-week partly-funded course in July or August for pupils in Year 10 & 12 (England, Wales) / Year 11 & 13 (Northern Ireland) / S3 & S5 (Scotland).
- Open to enthusiastic and committed students who have been learning German for at least two years and have an interest in experiencing the culture first-hand through excursions, lessons, and staying with a host family.
- Apply by 1 March 2024
“The opportunity to have German language and cultural lessons at a school, therefore experiencing the school day, and generally connecting with others in the group - as well as host siblings - was invaluable”
(2023 Participant)
CPD opportunity for teachers
- Paid roles available for qualified secondary UK teachers to act as group leaders on the German Pupil Courses in July or August and accompany a group of pupils to Germany.
- Immerse yourself in school and cultural life in Germany whilst leading language lessons and workshops in an authentic environment and gaining invaluable leadership skills.
- Deadline: 1 March 2024
“I am so very grateful to have had the faith shown in me to be a Group Leader. I absolutely loved working with the participants and all the German teachers; there was just such a feel-good atmosphere to the whole experience.”
(2023 Group Leader)
Upcoming Q&A webinars
We’re hosting Q&A webinars for pupils, parents, and teachers throughout the application period to offer guidance and answer your questions. Upcoming dates:
- Thursday, 22 February
- Monday, 26 February
- Wednesday, 28 February
Should you require further information, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at pupilprogrammes@ukgermanconnection.org
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Cultural Diversity,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
Goethe-Institut competitions for schools
8 February 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut offers a range of opportunities for schools. The following competitions are currently running:
- Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO) - the deadline for applications to the Internationale Deutscholympiade 2024 has been extended. Until 18 February 2024, students aged 14-17 can take part in the virtual national preliminaries. There's also an opportunity to become an accompanying teacher for the two UK finalists who take part in the IDO in Göttingen in July.
- Sustainable Cooking & German Competition with FitGreenMind - open to UK primary and secondary classes. Submission deadline 29 February 2024.
- Enterprise German competition (“Unternehmen Deutsch”) - this project combines aspects of German, economics, and professional orientation with a motivating competition. School classes from secondary schools in the UK and university students can register by 15 March 2024.
8 February 2024 (Glasgow Film Festival)
Taking place from 28 February to 10 March 2024, the Glasgow Film Festival offers a wide range of screenings, including films in different languages.
Visit the GFF website for full programme details.
Read more...
1 February 2024 (British Council)
Join us during February for our festival of language when your students can show off their language skills. This can be a language they are learning at school or one they speak in their community. It’s about sharing a love of language and celebrating the diversity of people in the UK who speak a language other than English.
It's easy to take part! Visit the British Council website for more information.
Read more...
31 January 2024 (SCILT)
If you are one of the nearly 400 educators who have completed the national languages leadership professional learning programme run by SCILT and Education Scotland since 2014 then we want to hear from you!
Like Dr Who, the programme has regenerated several times, each time with the same central aim to build capacity in languages education across Scotland. You may have been at the Summer Schools in Glasgow for Train the Trainer (2014-2017) or the 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme (2017-2019). Perhaps you were online with Scotland’s Languages Leadership Programme (2020-2022). You may have achieved a GTCS Professional Recognition, then again maybe you haven’t. Whatever the case, all previous participants are welcome to join this new national alumni network.
If took part in any of those scenarios, are you interested in connecting (reconnecting?) with friends, colleagues and peers who are leading, teaching and championing languages education in primary, secondary and special education settings across Scotland?
Yes? Then sign up to the national SLLP alumni network!
We will seek ideas from network members on the type of opportunities that would be the most useful. Ways to interact, opportunities to connect and support, inspire and motivate each other, to share experiences and hear from other leaders in the field.
The first network meeting is online, 16.00-17.00 Thursday 29 February 2024. Making leap day extra special!
It doesn’t matter when you completed the programme, whether or not you gained GTCS Professional Recognition with us or even if you are now in a different job. There are lots of ways that together, we can continue to strengthen the languages education leadership community in Scotland.
To join the network and register for the first meeting at the same time, please fill in the online form via the link below.
Read more...
UK-German Connection initiatives
30 January 2024 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers a range of opportunities for UK-German school partnerships. The following initiatives are currently available. Follow the title link for more information:
German Pupil Courses – Applications open
Applications for the German Pupil Courses this summer are now open. These 2-week immersive courses offers UK pupils the opportunity to experience Germany and its culture, language and lifestyle first-hand through spending time with host families and undertaking cultural activities.
Pupils in S3 or S5 who are learning German and are enthusiastic to gain an insight into life in Germany and practise their language skills are encouraged to apply.
Applications are open until 1 March 2024
CPD Opportunity – German Pupil Course Group Leaders
Paid roles are available for secondary teachers to act as group leaders on the summer German Pupil Courses, accompanying a group of 12 pupils to Germany and spend two weeks immersed in the daily life, German language, and culture.
Applications are open until 1 March 2024
Applications for Professional Enrichment Programme are now open
The Professional Enrichment Programme offers qualified UK teachers a funded opportunity to visit a German school for 1-2 weeks during the 2023-24 school year to develop skills and knowledge through intercultural exchange.
The programme is open to teachers of all disciplines and you don’t need to have an existing link with Germany to take part. Teachers can either visit their partner school or be matched with a German host school.
Application deadline: 1 March 2024
On Thursday, 1 February and Tuesday, 27 February at 4.30pm we are hosting a Q&A webinar to answer your questions and provide guidance.
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
Discovering the World of Arabic 2024-25: Secondary course
30 January 2024 (SCILT)
SCILT, in partnership with Qatar Foundation International, is opening registrations for schools who would like to take part in our Discovering the World of Arabic programme in session 2024/25.
For the coming session, schools will be able to access our traditional courses which run from September to March, or select our shorter introductory courses to offer an experience of Arabic as an L3 to their learners.
All participating schools will receive:
- A dedicated live online lesson delivered every week via Glow Teams for each individual school (time to be agreed with each school)
- Asynchronous materials to consolidate and further explore Arabic language and Arab cultures
- Ongoing support from the SCILT team
- Schools that are new to the programme will be eligible for a start-up grant of £2000, while all participating schools can bid for funding to provide resources and experiences that enhance the language learning and promote a positive experience of Arab cultures
The collaboration will provide an opportunity for local authority secondary schools to offer L3 learning experiences in Arabic language and cultures. BGE and Senior Phase courses have been co-created by the SCILT team and specially commissioned writers, with language lessons delivered online by teachers of Arabic. Both courses focus on developing conversational Arabic which will enhance learners’ understanding of Arab cultures and, in the Senior Phase course, their employability skills.
Discovering the World of Arabic is aimed at beginner learners who are seeking to enhance their language learning experience and develop their portfolio of skills. The lessons give learners the chance to explore aspects of Arab cultures as well as providing a solid linguistic foundation for learning the world’s fifth most spoken language.
Places are limited for this opportunity, so if you would like your school to be considered to take part, please complete the note of interest form by Friday 26 April 2024. Responses given on the note of interest form may inform the final selection of schools for this opportunity.
Please contact SCILT if you have any questions.
Upcoming training opportunities for teachers of Spanish
25 January 2024 (Consejería de Educación)
The Consejería de Educación offers a range of professional learning opportunities for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant link below to find out more about each upcoming event and to register:
- 'Artifical intelligences and tasks for the ELE classroom', Tuesday 6 February
This is the first in a series of online workshops for Spanish teachers from February to March 2024. Register for the free workshop by 4 February.
- Grants for an immersion course in Spain (Ávila, Segovia and Santander)
14 one-week immersion courses in July or August 2024 in Ávila, Segovia or Santander aimed at British/Irish teachers of Spanish.
The grant covers the course, accommodation and meals, as well as the cultural programme. The grant does not cover the journey to Spain or the return to the UK. Travel and/or health insurance is also not included.
This call is not for Spanish nationals. Application period will be announced from March.
- Immersion course in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), April 2024
Registration is now open for the Spanih teacher training course "Curso de actualización para el profesorado de ELE: lengua, cultura y didáctica" organised by the University of Santiago de Compostela.
Dates: 8 - 12 April 2024
Number of hours: 20 (face-to face)
Contents:
- Nuevas tecnologías en el aula de ELE
- Dinámicas de proyecto, actividades cooperativas y pedagogías innovadoras
- Lengua y cultura española( literatura, cine y música)
- El Camino de Santiago en el aula el ELE
- Actividades culturales incluidas en el curso:
- Visita guiada a la ciudad monumental
- Visita guiada al Patrimonio Histórico artístico de la Universidad
- More information about registration, prices and accomodation: gene.gonzalez@usc.es
Italian poster competition - Cosa significa l’Italia per me
25 January 2024 (SCILT)
We are launching a new poster competition for school-aged learners of Italian (this includes those with no prior learning). We would love you to use whatever knowledge of Italian and Italy that you have to show what Italy means to you.
Your challenge:
- Design a poster, including as much Italian language as you can, to show what Italy means to you.
- Use the title Cosa significa l’Italia per me.
- Individual or group entries are welcome. Group entries: use the title Cosa significa l’Italia per noi.
- Judging categories: P1-4, P5-7, S1-3, S4-6.
- This competition is open to all learners regardless of level of Italian. This includes those with no prior learning. The variation in Italian language content that will naturally result from this will be taken into account in the judging process.
- Closing date extended to Thursday 7 March 2024.
- Entries should be emailed by teachers in the form of a photograph to scilt@strath.ac.uk with Italian Poster Competition in the email subject line.
- A signed Submission and Consent Form (attached below) should also be sent at the same time for each entry. It is perfectly acceptable to upload a photograph of this form; it is not necessary to scan the document.
- In order to assist judging, please ensure that the sections of the Submission Form indicating level of Italian learning and where the inspiration for the poster came from are completed.
- Each entry should state the school name, pupil name and age category in its file name.
- Winners will be notified and announced around Easter 2024.
A downloadable flyer is attached.
We look forward to seeing your entries!
Taster sessions in Japanese for senior phase students
25 January 2024 (University of Glasgow)
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Glasgow are looking for schools which would be interested in our taster sessions in Japanese; we can deliver them on their own premises on Fridays in February 2024 (exact dates TBC). Our tutors will deliver one-hour sessions focusing on some basic aspects of the language and on cultural elements such as, for instance, traditional food, manga and anime. Some information about options in terms of learning Japanese at the University of Glasgow will also be provided. Please contact: Emanuela.Ponti@glasgow.ac.uk
22 January 2024 (SQA)
The SQA has added Word versions of the Coursework portfolio writing booklet. These can be found in the Coursework dropdown menu of the Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland: SCILT/Scotdec special events!
18 January 2024 (SCILT / Scotdec)
To celebrate the LWS 2024 theme of Languages for a Sustainable World, SCILT and Scotdec are pleased to offer two CLPL opportunities on making language learning relevant and motivating with a Global Citizenship approach.
There will be a session for Primary teachers and a separate session for Secondary teachers. Both sessions will offer insights into how languages education can be a catalyst for fostering global awareness, empathy and a sense of responsibility.
More information and booking details via the following links:
Reminder: SCILT ECT Professional learning menu
18 January 2024 (SCILT)
Building on our track record of supporting student teachers and early career teachers, in the 2023-24 session we have launched a specific menu of workshops tailored to the needs of student teachers and early career teachers in primary and secondary sectors. Importantly, the development of this menu was informed by student teachers, probationer mentors and teacher educators.
Are you a probationer/ECT support manager or professional learning officer for your local authority?
Are you a programme lead or module lead on an undergraduate or postgraduate ITE programme for primary or secondary teaching at a Scottish university?
Yes? Then workshops from the SCILT ECT Professional Learning menu 2023-24 could complement the content of your existing modules or professional learning programme for the newest entrants to our profession.
Interactive, up-to-date and relevant, these SCILT workshops give student teachers and early career teachers the opportunity to explore aspects of practice with their peers. Online or in person. No charge.
In terms of content, secondary workshops focus on developing practice to support skills development, classroom management and support for application and interview for languages posts. Meanwhile, primary workshops focus on introductory approaches and interdisciplinary contexts for teaching languages eg digital, outdoor, DYW and intercultural understanding.
See the full menu above and access the booking request form.
If there is anything particular that your student or early career teachers need, we are always happy to develop bespoke inputs too. Email scilt@strath.ac.uk with any queries.
Remember we also run sector-specific professional learning for student and early career teachers available to book by individuals. Keep an eye on the e-bulletin for further information.
Goethe-Institut opportunities for schools
16 January 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut has a range of initiatives to support the teaching and learning of German in UK schools. The following opportunities are currently available. Follow the appropriate link for more information:
- Getvico 24 - Call for papers - the virtual German teacher conference that takes you around the world in 24 hours is seeking contributions from those who would like to share their ideas and findings from teaching practice. Abstracts accepted until 15 March 2024.
- Sustainable Cooking Competition in German - open to UK primary and secondary schools with entries accepted from classes, smaller groups or individuals. The challenge is to find a recipe you like and make it vegan, recording a video of your cooking journey. Submit by 29 February 2024.
- Dossier: nachhaltige Infrastruktur - if you're interested in teaching sustainable development in industry, innovation, and infrastructure in your classroom this dossier can help prepare you by providing background information, teaching materials for your German classroom and a competition for your students. Enterprise German challenges secondary students to develop a sustainable and innovative product or service.
Upcoming UK-German opportunities
16 January 2024 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers a range of opportunities to foster partnerships between schools in the UK and Germany. Follow the relevant links below to learn more about their upcoming initiatives:
For teachers
- Professional Enrichment Programme - funded opportunity for qualified UK teachers to visit a German school for one or two weeks during the summer term of 2023-24. Apply by 1 March 2024. You can also find out more at the Q&A webinar on 1 February.
For students
- German pupil courses - open to Year 10 and 12 pupils (and equivalent years in Scotland and Northern Ireland) offering pupils the chance to spend two immersive weeks in Germany experiencing the culture and language. Applications open 24 January and close on 1 March 2024. Teachers of German can also experience the immersion and excitement by applying to be a Group Leader and accompany a group of motivated young people and surround yourself with natives to sharpen your language skills.
- Café Connect for Schools and Youth Groups - adapted from our classic ‘Café Connect‘, for individual young people, we are now offering this virtual exchange café to partner schools and youth groups as a chance to meet up online in a friendly atmosphere and take part in fun, interactive activities, and group discussions on current topics.
- Still & Sparkling Youth Newsletter - share this opportunity with creative individuals aged 14+ who would like to contribute to our youth newsletter. Successful submissions will be published in our next edition and featured on our social media channels. Deadline: 9 February 2024.
Funding
- Grants for joint activities - grants are available for schools and youth groups with a partner in Germany for planning visits and group exchange trips. Applications can be submitted at any time provided they reach us at least six weeks before the start of the trip or project. Sign up for Q&A webinars on funding strands on the webpage.
If you have any further questions about the range of opportunities available, email the team at partnerships@ukgermanconnection.org
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
16 January 2024 (British Council)
Practise and celebrate a language your students are learning or use in their community, and take part in a virtual festival of speaking!
Join us during February for our festival of language when your students can show off their language skills. This can be a language they are learning at school or one they speak in their community. It’s about sharing a love of language and celebrating the diversity of people in the UK who speak a language other than English.
It's easy to take part! Visit the British Council website for more information.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize 2024
16 January 2024 (Franco-Scottish Society / Alliance Française)
The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay prize, established to commemorate and celebrate the life of a long-time member of the Franco-Scottish Society, is for students of Advanced Higher French in all schools and colleges across Scotland. This competition, run by the Franco-Scottish Society and the Alliance Française in Glasgow, aligns with the writing outcomes of the AH French course. Please note that this competition is not open to native French speakers nor those with a French heritage.
The essay, written in French, should be no longer than 500 words in length and can be discursive or narrative in style. Three prizes will be offered, and the winner of the first prize will also receive a trophy.
Schools and colleges have until 29 January 2024 to register interest for their students via the Alliance Française website when the essay task for the year will also be distributed to those registered.
Further information about the background to the competition, including judging guidelines and past essay questions, can be found on the SCILT website.
16 January 2024 (Global Seal of Biliteracy)
Global Seal of Biliteracy invites language educators to join its third cohort of the Global Classroom Pair-Share.
Global Classroom Pair-Share is a new, innovative way to connect classrooms around the globe with a shared focus on learning language and discovering new places and cultures. If you’re interested in growing your students’ language skills while growing global connections, you are the perfect candidate to participate. Global Classroom Pair-Share provides teachers with FREE professional development, opportunities to collaborate with other language teachers from around the world and participate in multiple real-time and asynchronous classroom interactions.
Teachers can match with another global classroom for three months with an expectation of one shared collaborative project per month. At the end of the three months, teacher participants can receive three free student tests to qualify for a Global Seal of Biliteracy. Signing up for the programme includes free professional development on second language acquisition and lesson design.
This programme starts in February and is open to language classrooms in mainstream and heritage schools.
Visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy website for more information and to register by 22 January.
Read more...
16 January 2024 (Queen's College Oxford)
Inspired by the life and work of the great translator Anthea Bell, the competition aims to promote language learning across the UK and to inspire creativity in the classroom. By providing teachers with the tools they need to bring translation to life, we hope to motivate more pupils to study modern foreign languages throughout their time at school and beyond.
The Prize is free to enter and open to all secondary schools across the UK. The Prize currently offers French (into Welsh and English), Spanish, German, Italian and Mandarin. Teachers can register for the prize at any point in the year. The competition will run from February to March in 2024.
Visit the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators website for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
11 January 2024 (SCILT)
SCILT’s CLPL workshop menu for 2023-24 is still available for your booking requests.
Are you responsible for sourcing high quality professional learning related to languages pedagogy for groups of colleagues in your setting, cluster, local authority or RIC?
You will be interested in our professional learning offer for all sectors.
The content of the eleven workshops is informed by feedback from teachers and practitioners on their professional learning needs. If your needs are different, we are more than happy to develop the bespoke inputs you and your colleagues require. Just ask.
Always interactive and up-to-date, SCILT workshops provide the opportunity for you and your colleagues to explore aspects of practice with our experienced Professional Development Officers. Our team has a finite capacity, so get in your request as soon as you can.
The focus of workshops for 2023-24 are wide ranging, covering the following issues:
Cross Sector
- Primary-Secondary Transition
Primary and Early Years
- Families on board? Developing a family friendly approach to languages in your setting
- Getting outdoors with languages and learning
- Celebrating cultural diversity through languages in EY and primary
- An introduction to multilingual approaches to primary pedagogy
- Languages in primary: assessing pupils’ learning, evaluating teaching
Secondary
- Policy, planning and practice in BGE (in partnership with Education Scotland)
- Emerging contexts for language learning
- Talking and listening
- Using language skills across the curriculum
- Social-Emotional Learning for languages
For more details, and to make a request for a group visit our Professional Learning webpage.
Note that open access online workshops take place across the year. Registration for these will be open to individuals and details will be shared in the SCILT ebulletin.
Read more...
9 January 2024 (UKLO)
UKLO (United Kingdom Linguistics Olympiad) is a language-analysis competition for all ages. We create linguistics puzzles and run competitions for school children to encourage a lifelong interest in the world’s languages.
The competition is offered at four levels of difficulty for KS2 – KS5, and provide Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, as well as participation certificates, at each level.
The highest scoring students proceed through a couple more rounds of testing and coaching before we present them for the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) where they compete against other countries.
UKLO questions require no preliminary knowledge in language, linguistics or any other subject taught at school. From decoding alien messages to scents and smells, UKLO questions are diverse with over 70 confirmed different variations. There is something for everyone.
Visit the UKLO website to find out more and register to take part by 29 January.
Read more...
5 January 2024 (eSgoil)
Looking to broaden your learners' horizons and your school's curricular offer? We are offering a range of language NQs and work-related courses for 2024-25, delivered at no cost via live, online and interactive lessons.
Explore the details in the online brochure.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
National Qualifications,
Partnership Working,
News from language & education organisations,
Urdu
Writing competitions for language students
18 December 2023 (King's College London)
The Department of Languages, Literature and Cultures at King's College London invites Year 12 or 13 (S5 or S6 in Scotland) students of German, French and Spanish/Portuguese to submit original pieces of work in their chosen language. Prizes include the chance to have their article published.
Follow the appropriate link below to find out more about the competition, the subject topic and how to enter:
The entry deadline for all is 20 February 2024.
Online workshops for senior phase language learners
12 December 2023 (King's College London)
King's College London are hosting a number of online workshops for A-Level and equivalent learners of languages during the Spring term.
As well as film discussion workshops offering students the chance to develop their language skills for film analysis, there are taster events to discover other options available to those considering language studies at university. Follow the relevant link below to find out more and to register for the event:
12 December 2023 (DYW / eSgoil)
To celebrate Languages Week 2024 we’d like to highlight several exciting courses through DYW Live involving languages. We have sessions for Primary, Secondary and a CLPL for Primary Teachers all around the benefits languages can bring to learners and their future pathways.
Visit the webpage for full details.
Read more...
11 December 2023 (Press and Journal)
It was a pleasure recently to visit Cults Academy and talk to S3 pupils about the horizons broadened by language learning.
We were joined by a final-year student from the University of Aberdeen, who enthused them with stories about her placement year in France. As many do, she had found her time abroad transformative.
Being part of daily life and culture in another country is a hothouse for language skills. And living on one’s wits in another language is ideal for building personal confidence and resilience.
With their passion for global languages and cultures, our students are ideal ambassadors. They can inspire the next generation of learners and remind them that all the hard work of “getting the grammar right” is worth the effort, because it unlocks the door to new ways of seeing the world.
In partnership with SCILT, Scotland’s national centre for languages, the University of Aberdeen has developed a new language mentoring scheme that pairs languages students with budding linguists in schools.
Read more...
8 December 2023 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published. Read about SCILT's work to support language learning and teaching, including our professional learning opportunities, language promotional activities, and support for language learners at all levels. Find out how schools celebrated European Day of Languages 2023 and read about the latest inspiring initiatives from local authorities. There is also an opportunity to read about the work of our partners to support language learning in Scotland.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize 2024
7 December 2023 (Franco-Scottish Society / Alliance Française)
The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay prize, established to commemorate and celebrate the life of a long-time member of the Franco-Scottish Society, will open in January to students preparing Advanced Higher French in all schools and colleges across Scotland. This competition, run by the Franco-Scottish Society and the Alliance Française in Glasgow, aligns with the writing outcomes of the AH French course. Please note that this competition is not open to native French speakers nor those with a French heritage.
The essay, written in French, should be no longer than 500 words in length and can be discursive or narrative in style. Three prizes will be offered, and the winner of the first prize will also receive a trophy.
Schools and colleges will be asked to register interest for their students at the start of January via the Alliance Française website. Registrations will close on 29 January, when the essay task for the year will also be distributed to registered schools and colleges.
Further information about the background to the competition, including judging guidelines and past essay questions, can be found on the SCILT website.
7 December 2023 (OU / Education Scotland)
We are launching the first ever Scots Language Masters-level teacher CPD programme for in-service teachers teaching at any level in a Scottish school. Hosted by the Open University in Scotland and designed and delivered by the OU in partnership with Education Scotland, this exciting new professional learning opportunity for Scotland’s teachers is now open for registration. There are 25 free places available for this online programme. These places for the first course cohort are funded by the Scottish Government.
The deadline to register and be one of the first 25 teachers to study the course for free is Monday 21st December. Notifications to confirm places will be issued on Tuesday 22nd. For those who either weren’t in the initial 25 for this year, or who already have CPD commitments for this academic year, you will be given priority for cohort 2 which will begin in the 2024-25 academic year.
Visit the course landing page for more information and the online registration form.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Qualifications,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations,
Scots
7 December 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Supported by FilmHub Scotland, the Goethe-Institut Glasgow is celebrating the 8th anniversary of the Scotland-wide German film festival Fokus.
The announced programme showcases the diversity of voices found in German cinema – past and present. Between 9 January – 31 January 2024, Fokus will celebrate the range of German contemporary filmmaking.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for full programme details.
Read more...
7 December 2023 (CISS)
Do you have learners who would like to add another language qualification to their portfolio, but don’t have time or capacity within the department to run this? CISS can help! Our Discovering China Live online classes prepare learners for National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Mandarin qualifications.
You can now register interest to take part in our online National Qualification Mandarin classes with our GTCS Mandarin teachers.
Please see the flyer below for more information, a teacher testimonial, and the link to register your interest. The registration link is also available here:
For full details of the course, please see the CISS website. The 2024-25 handbook will be added shortly.
Read more...
7 December 2023 (Bilingualism Matters / SCILT)
Bilingualism Matters and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages are offering a series of free, online professional learning workshops for teachers in complementary and heritage language schools, based in the UK and beyond.
Workshop 1 - The Bigger Picture: The basics of bilingual language development and the role of teachers, parents and communities. This session is run by Prof Antonella Sorace and Katarzyna Przybycien from Bilingualism Matters and the University of Edinburgh.
Workshop 2 - The Language Learning Buzz: Strategies to engage and motivate learners, both online and in the classroom. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
Workshop 3 - The Supportive Classroom: Strategies to support learning and encourage positive mindsets within a group of mixed ability learners. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
See the attached flyer for more information. You can book a place at these workshops via the Bilingualism Matters website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Bilingual Education,
Bilingualism,
Community Languages,
CPD,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
5 December 2023 (Scottish Mathematical Council)
The Scottish Mathematical Council would like to welcome schools to participate in the world-wide Mathematics and Language competition Mathématiques sans Frontières.
We are hopeful that we continue to offer a stimulating and light-hearted competition for senior phase pupils which combines Mathematics and Modern Languages. For those of you who have not taken part previously, this competition aims to motivate pupils in these subjects, promote teamwork throughout pupils of all abilities, and bridge borders between countries across the world.
Attached is a discovery training test for “Mathématiques Sans Frontières” alongside some more formal competition instructions, and an entry proforma for the competition. Entry deadline: 26 January 2024.
You can also find more information on the Mathématiques sans Frontières website.
Read more...
1 December 2023 (SCILT)
Are you looking for ways to bring the festive season to your languages classroom?
SCILT have compiled a range of online resources for use with your learners, from interactive advent calendars and games, to festive facts, songs and downloadable worksheets. Find out how Christmas is celebrated in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and many other places around the world!
Read more...
30 November 2023 (eSgoil)
eSgoil's Subject Choices online workshops will run from 4 - 8 December. This is a week of live input to help students navigate the process of subject choices. Each day has a different focus, and Languages are the focus on Wednesday 6 December.
Visit the eSgoil website for full programme details and to register for the workshops.
Read more...
27 November 2023 (British Council)
Applications to be an English Language Assistant in 2024/25 are now open!
Established in 1905, the British Council’s English Language Assistants (ELA) programme is a major UK mobility initiative that offers paid teaching placements abroad, providing the perfect opportunity to travel, teach and gain invaluable experiences along the way. Every year we send around 2,000 English Language Assistants from the UK to support the teaching of English in 13 destinations around the world.
Living and working overseas is also a great way to enhance language learning and hone language skills.
Visit the British Council website for full details and to register to join the free information webinar on 18 December.
Deadline for applications is 1 February 2024.
Read more...
24 November 2023 (SCILT)
Schools who’ve registered for this year’s Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition have until Friday 1 December to submit entries! Submission guidelines are on the SCILT website.
Read more...
20 November 2023 (SecEd)
In an increasingly globalised and diverse world, the role of languages in supporting open communication, effective collaboration, and solving some of the world’s greatest shared challenges seems irrefutable.
Indeed, countless organisations have testified to the central role of international languages to the prosperity of the UK as a whole – economically, socially, and culturally (British Academy et al, 2020) – and yet, uptake of international languages at key curriculum stages continues to decline across the UK (Gorrara et al, 2020; Henderson & Carruthers, 2022).
With the belief that languages are more important now than they were 20 years ago, why are languages so overlooked by learners? And how can we, as practitioners, support a renewed and revitalised understanding of the critical role of languages?
Read more...
20 November 2023 (SQA)
Every year SQA recruits approximately 11,000 teachers and lecturers as markers for the National Qualifications exam diet. Recruitment for the 2024 exams is currently underway, with opportunities available across all subjects and levels including languages.
SQA markers play a key role in supporting the exam diet, ensuring the consistent application of national standards. They gain valuable insight into SQA processes, procedures and national standards for a subject and level. It provides the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge, as well as allowing you to gather evidence for continuing professional development.
You can apply to be a marker if you are currently teaching the subject(s) you wish to mark and have been doing so for a minimum of two years. Full training will be provided.
To find out more about the marker role or apply, please visit the SQA website.
Read more...
Japanese taster sessions for senior phase students
20 November 2023 (University of Glasgow)
Taster sessions in Japanese for senior phase students offered by the MFL unit, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, University of Glasgow.
We are looking for schools which would be interested in our taster sessions in Japanese; we can deliver them on their own premises on Fridays in January and February 2024 (exact dates TBC). Our tutors will deliver one-hour sessions focusing on some basic aspects of the language and on cultural elements such as, for instance, traditional food, manga and anime. Some information about options in terms of learning Japanese at the University of Glasgow will also be provided. Please contact: Emanuela.Ponti@glasgow.ac.uk
16 November 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
The International German Olympiad takes place every two years and is the world's largest competition for the German language. Here, participants can prove their German language skills in three levels (A2, B1 and B2). In addition to the focus on language skills, both national and international competitions promote intercultural skills and international teamwork.
The digital national preliminary round for participants from the UK runs from 6 November 2023 to 31 January 2024. Information on how to participate in the national preliminary round can be found on the Goethe-Institut IDO webpage.
Read more...
16 November 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Each month Scottish Book Trust runs a 50 Word Fiction competition with a prompt to get you started. The November competition prompt is inspired by the theme of this year's Book Week Scotland, Adventure!
The competition includes a category for Gaelic writers, so get creative and submit your entry by 28 November.
Read more...
13 November 2023 (SecEd)
How did one school manage to double the number of students opting for a modern foreign language at GCSE? Raul Ramirez explains.
Read more...
3 November 2023 (eSgoil)
eSgoil's Subject Choices online workshops will run from 4 - 8 December. This is a week of live input to help students navigate the process of subject choices. Each day has a different focus, and Languages are the focus on Wednesday.
Read more...
2 November 2023 (Japan Foundation)
Applications are now open for JaLaChamp 2024!
JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese. There are two categories - the speech category, where students give a speech on a theme of their choice, and the video category where students are asked to create an original video either by individual or part of a group.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information and to enter: 6 December 2023 deadline for speech category; 24 January 2024 deadline for video category.
Read more...
31 October 2023 (University of Cambridge)
The Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics at the University of Cambridge is hosting a series of workshops which will focus on the theme of diversity as a key point of contact between A-level German teaching, where it features both as a highlighted aspect of contemporary society and as a theme in prescribed literary works and films, and current work in German at University level, where it represents a core principle in curriculum development and broader institutional priorities.
The series will comprise five one-hour online workshops between November 2023 to March 2024 and a concluding in-person event in June/July 2023 (date tbc).
Visit the website for further information and to register. Participation is free.
Read more...
31 October 2023 (British Council)
Get ready for International Education Week 2023!
Taking place from 13 to 17 November, the event this year celebrates international partnerships.
We’ve got lots of information and resources to help you open your students’ eyes to the world and build bridges to other cultures.
Join us to explore the power of partnerships to bring schools together across the globe, engaging and motivating students and helping them discover other languages, countries and cultures.
Visit the British Council website to discover the many ways your school can get involved.
Read more...
Virtual Spanish and Latin American Film Festival - University of Stirling / Pragda
31 October 2023 (University of Stirling)
Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Stirling are hosting a Spanish and Latin American Film Festival as part of the Spanish Film Club series, made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts & culture, and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
The following film will be available virtually Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th November 2023:
Niñas araña
If you would like your learners to access this virtual film screening, please register via this Form to receive the sign-in information for the screening room and the associated discussion guide.
If you have any questions or would like further information about this initiative, please contact Fiona Noble (fiona.noble@stir.ac.uk).
30 October 2023 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK Learning Programme is once again delighted to bring French-speaking cinema free of charge to schools from 30 October to 15 December 2023!
Each of the four films will be accompanied by new learning packs in French and English. Selected films are all in French with English subtitles.
If you haven't done so already, there's still time to check out the programme and book your screenings. And for budding film critics, there's also the opportunity for pupils in Scotland to submit their film review with the chance to win a prize!
Visit the Festival website for full details.
Read more...
30 October 2023 (SQA)
Visiting assessment (performance talking) guidance and STL forms have been published on the SQA's Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage. These can be found in the Visiting Examining dropdown section.
Read more...
26 October 2023 (SCILT)
The Scottish Languages Employability Award (SLEA) celebrates schools delivering DYW through languages and school-business partnerships whilst recognising good practice in this area. The award, which is available at bronze, silver and gold levels, supports teachers in raising awareness of the value of language skills in their school community.
The next deadline for submissions is Friday 17 November 2023.
Visit the SLEA webpage for more information.
Read more...
24 October 2023 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection's Flexible Funding Scheme supports joint activities and projects between UK and German partner schools and youth groups, including visits or virtual activities.
The next deadline for funding applications is approaching. Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and submit applications by 31 October.
Read more...
24 October 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Enterprise German (“Unternehmen Deutsch”) combines aspects of German, economics, and professional orientation with a motivating competition. School classes from secondary schools in the UK and university students who deal with the topic of career orientation in the classroom can participate, if their teacher or professor registers a participating group.
The initiative will take place from September 2023 to July 2024.
For more information, please visit the Goethe Institut website and register by 15 March 2024.
Read more...
10 October 2023 (British Council)
International Education Week 2023 will take place from 13 to 17 November and this year, we’re celebrating international partnerships.
Join the British Council to explore the power of partnerships to bring schools together across the globe, engaging and motivating students and helping them discover other languages, countries and cultures.
We’ll be planning events and sharing resources over the coming weeks, so keep checking the website!
Read more...
9 October 2023 (Institut français)
The French Pop Video Competition is a national competition organised by Francophonie UK supported by TV5Monde for all KS1 to KS5 students of French in the UK.
Students get to engage with French in a creative and fun way, improving writing skills and vocabulary by creating their own lyrics and practising speaking skills by performing and recording their song/rap.
Visit the Institut français website to learn more about the competition and register by 10 March 2024 to take part.
Read more...
9 October 2023 (Institut français)
Nominations are now opened for this year's French Teacher Award!
Each year two teachers of French (one primary, one secondary) are selected in recognition of their significant and committed contribution to French language education in their school and community.
Teachers can apply themselves, or nominate a colleague.
Visit the Institut français website for more information and to submit nominations by 31 October 2023.
Read more...
5 October 2023 (eSgoil)
Registration for eSgoil's Study Support programme is now open!
Study Support is for Senior Phase learners who are working towards National Qualifications, with weekly evening webinars during term time covering a wide range of subjects and levels, including Gaelic, French and Spanish.
Visit the eSgoil website for full programme details and to register. Programme commences week beginning 30 October.
Read more...
3 October 2023 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is now enrolling for autumn term courses. There are options available for children and adults. Follow the relevant link below for more information and to enrol.
The organisation provides many other opportunities and events to discover French language and culture. Visit their website to find out more.
Read more...
2 October 2023 (DCA)
Discovery Film Festival, Scotland’s international film festival for young audiences, is back for its 20th year!
Taking place from 21 October to 5 November, there's another packed programme of the best new films for young audiences from around the world, with free education resource packs to accompany the screenings. The festival will be available both online and at Dundee Contemporary Arts.
Visit the website for full programme details.
Read more...
2 October 2023 (eSgoil)
The beginner Japanese course run by University of Edinburgh in conjunction with eSgoil is aimed at pupils S1-S6 who would like an introduction to basic Japanese language and culture. No previous knowledge of Japanese language is required.
The six-part course runs from November to December 2023.
Visit the website for more information and to register interest.
Read more...
2 October 2023 (University of Oxford)
The 12th Oxford German Olympiad is now open!
This year's topic is: Kafkaesque Kreatures
The competition is all about animals - but from perspectives with a difference. The tasks take inspiration from the animal stories by Franz Kafka (1883-1924), who gave the German and English languages the word kafkaesk / Kafkaesque to describe a weird, disturbing experience.
The competition is open to upper primary and secondary learners of German, with further categories for group or class entries as well as the Discover German Taster category for those with no prior experience of studying the language.
Visit the Oxford German Olympiad website for full competition details and guidelines. Closing date for all entries is 7 March 2024.
Read more...
28 September 2023 (SCILT)
Are you a student, or do you know a student, considering pursuing language studies beyond secondary education? Check out the Beyond School section of the SCILT website. The site lists university and college language courses here in Scotland, links to UCAS and university guides UK-wide, and help and advice on study abroad options and volunteering overseas.
It's a useful resource for teachers and Careers Guidance staff to highlight to students as the UCAS application process is now underway.
Read more...
28 September 2023 (SCILT)
Schools in Scotland wishing to take part in this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition have until National Poetry Day on 5 October to register!
Visit our website to learn more about the competition and discover poetry resources to help you celebrate National Poetry Day in class as well as prepare for the MTOT competition.
It's the 10th anniversary year of MTOT in Scotland, so join in the celebration - visit our website and register your school now!
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
28 September 2023 (Instituto Cervantes)
The Instituto Cervantes is developing a professional accreditation system consisting of a series of diplomas that certify the professional training of ELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language) teachers - the Instituto Cervantes Teacher Accreditation Diplomas (DADIC): Autonomous, Expert, and Teacher Trainer. These diplomas have indefinite validity and enjoy broad national and international recognition, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain. The first level, the Autonomous DADIC, certifies that the holder possesses the basic competencies required for the professional practice of teaching ELE for general purposes.
This is an introductory course aimed at people with no experience or prior training in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, who wish to obtain the Instituto Cervantes Teaching Accreditation Diploma (autonomous level).
More information is given on the attached flyer or you can visit the Instituto Cervantes website.
Read more...
Invite a team of Strathclyde Language Ambassadors to your school!
28 September 2023 (University of Strathclyde)
At the University of Strathclyde, beyond supporting the Language Ambassadors Online and the Language Explorers Programme, we are still offering on-site visits in 2023-24.
So, get your learners to discover the joys of discovering a new culture and learning and being able to use another language by organising a visit from one of our Language Ambassadors teams to your school!
Our Language Ambassadors are students of French, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish, on various degrees, including BA Honours in French and Spanish, International Business and a Modern Language, Law and a Language but also Engineering and Science degrees and they are keen to share their experiences of learning and using their languages as well as discovering new cultures.
This programme is free of charge and provides student role models to promote languages to young people in your school. We aim to encourage your learners to engage with young adults who have decided to study languages at university and to have a positive impact on the number of learners who choose languages as part of their high school curriculum.
We can deliver a range of activities, such as:
- A presentation about their experiences as university language learners and their experiences abroad;
- Q&A sessions about the benefits of studying a language;
- A small group discussion for Senior phase students who have already selected a language;
- Micro-presentations as part of a school-wide event
Want to book a visit from a Language Ambassadors team in 2023-24? Simply contact Cédric Moreau now!
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Ambassadors,
Language Learning,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
Strathclyde University,
News from language & education organisations
28 September 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT’s Language Ambassadors Programme has relaunched as a fully online offer available to all schools across the country. Our interactive monthly online sessions are led by student Language Ambassadors from universities across Scotland who are keen to share their experiences of learning languages and discovering new cultures.
Visit our Language Ambassadors Programme webpage to find out more about the programme and to register to bring your class(es) along to any/all of the sessions listed!
Read more...
21 September 2023 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection provides opportunities for young people, teachers and schools in the UK and Germany to come together. Their initiatives range from providing grants and bursaries for partnership activities, pupil courses and scholarships, the opportunity to host a teacher from Germany, virtual café sessions for young people to meet in a safe space and much more. The following activity deadlines are fast approaching. Follow the relevant link for more information:
Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information about the range of available opportunities.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
Cultural Diversity,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Learning,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
News from language & education organisations
Virtual Spanish and Latin American Film Festival - University of Stirling / Pragda
21 September 2023 (University of Stirling)
Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Stirling are hosting a Spanish and Latin American Film Festival as part of the Spanish Film Club series, made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN Arts & Culture, and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
This term, we are screening two films:
Carajita available Friday 6th to Friday 13th October 2023
Niñas araña available Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th November 2023
If you would like your learners to access one or both of these virtual film screenings, please register via this form to receive the sign-in information for the screening room and the associated discussion guides.
If you have any questions or would like further information about this initiative, please contact Fiona Noble (fiona.noble@stir.ac.uk).
19 September 2023 (British Council)
The British Council remains committed to supporting the teaching and learning of languages in UK schools.
As part of this the organisation, in partnership with QFI, is restructuring their support for Arabic language teaching and learning in the UK with new events and activities planned for the autumn term. Schools can also apply for grants to introduce the language into their curriculum. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
And with European Day of Languages fast approaching, British Council has developed two new lesson resources to celebrate the event; 'Let's talk about languages' for primary learners and 'Why choose languages' for secondary.
Visit the British Council website to download these resources.
Read more...
14 September 2023 (Global School Alliance)
Celebrated on 26 September every year, the European Day of Languages (EDL) is designed to promote the importance of language learning and protecting the linguistic heritage.
To get your pupils involved in this year's event, the Global School Alliance has launched a competition ‘For me, learning a language is…’ and are asking students to tell us what learning a language means to them. It is open to schools with students studying a European language worldwide and aims to showcase the magic and importance of language learning.
Visit the website to find out more and register your school. Deadline for entries is 3 October.
Read more...
14 September 2023 (University of Oxford)
Organised by the Queen's Translation Exchange at the University of Oxford, the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators is a UK-wide creative translation competition for students aged 11-18 studying French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish. The competition also runs from French into Welsh.
The 2023-24 prize will launch on 20 September, when creative translation teaching packs will be shared with teachers in time for European Day of Languages on 26 September and International Translation Day on 30 September. These teaching packs are designed to help teachers bring creative translation into the MFL classroom as well as to help students prepare for the competition task.
The competition itself will run over several weeks from 5 February to 28 March 2024. Area and national winners will be announced in May or June 2023. They will receive certificates and national winners will receive book prizes. Over 15,000 students participated in the competition in 2023.
For those registered, teaching packs for poetry translation will be circulated on 20 September, fiction will follow after October half term, and non-fiction will be released in early January.
There are a number of related activities run by the Queen's Translation Exchange that teachers and pupils can participate in, details of which can be found on the Opportunities for Schools webpage.
Visit the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators website for more information and to register to receive resources and updates about the competition task. You can also see the list of winners and commendations for last year's competition.
If you have any further queries regarding the competition, you should contact the Translation Exchange team at translation.exchange@queens.ox.ac.uk.
Read more...
12 September 2023 (SCILT)
We are delighted to be back again this year working together with e-Sgoil and DYW Live to deliver the Languages and Your Career webinar. In this session we will explore how languages can contribute to success in a wide range of jobs and career paths. This webinar aims to introduce secondary learners to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work. It will be an interactive session with input from people who use languages in their work.
The workshop will repeated each month on different days and times from September until January. The dates on offer are:
Tuesday 26th September: 2.00 – 3.00pm
Wednesday 25th October: 9.30 – 10.30am
Thursday 23rd November: 11.00am – 12.00pm
Monday 18th December: 9.30 – 10.30am
Tuesday 30th January: 2.00 – 3.00pm
All sessions will take place in Glow Teams.
This year, additional materials will be made available to teachers who attend the workshop with their classes to support further promotion of employability with individual languages. Watch this space!
For more information and registration details, visit the e-Sgoil website.
Read more...
Related Links
DYWLive workshops for primary learners - Make languages work for you
5 September 2023 (UK-German Connection)
The Host a Teacher from Germany programme enables schools to host a German teacher (in-person or virtually) for one, two or three weeks during the academic year – no costs involved for UK schools.
All schools and further education colleges in the UK can register. The programme is open to teachers of all subjects and German does not need to be offered at your school; visiting teachers are either teachers of English or have good knowledge of the English language.
Schools interested in hosting a German teacher in 2023-24 can now register by 25 September 2023 (to host in the spring and/or summer term).
NEW! UK teachers participating in the Host a Teacher from Germany 2023-24 programme can express their interest in a return visit for one or two weeks during 2023-24.
UK-German Connection will run a Q&A webinar for UK schools on Tuesday 19 September 2023.
Visit the website for more information and to register for the Q&A session.
Read more...
5 September 2023 (Consejería de Educación)
Bring Spanish cinema to your school! Join the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival school programme for free (2nd to 6th October) and enjoy a film from the comfort of the classroom. Films for Primary and Secondary level accompanied by worksheets. Book now and get the code for your school.
Read more...
4 September 2023 (SQA)
Updates have been added to the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage.
New specimen question papers can be found in the Past Papers and Marking Instructions section and an assessment resources summary in the Course Support section.
Read more...
SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages: new resources to support with performance-talking
1 September 2023 (SQA)
From session 2023-24, the Advanced Higher Modern Languages performance-talking coursework task returns to its usual format, with a duration of approximately 20 minutes. The requirement to discuss aspects of the portfolio has also been reinstated.
We have created two new SQA Academy courses to help you with this coursework task. An updated performance-talking audio presentation is also available from our Understanding Standards website.
SQA Academy course – Performance-talking
This course provides an overview of what the Advanced Higher performance-talking assessment involves – including its purpose, structure, preparation for the assessment, the Subject Topic List (STL) form and how performance-talking is assessed.
SQA Academy course – A day in the life of a visiting assessor
This second course outlines the role of the Modern Languages performance-talking visiting assessor and describes what happens before, during and after the assessment of performance-talking. You may find it useful to share this course with your learners.
Access the courses from the SQA Academy website
SQA Understanding Standards – updated audio presentation
An updated audio presentation on the Advanced Higher performance-talking for session 2023-24 is also available from the Modern Languages pages of the Understanding Standards website (select the language, then ‘presentations’ from the page menu).
View the performance-talking audio presentation.
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
National Qualifications,
News from language & education organisations,
SQA
31 August 2023 (STRIDE)
The Remembering Empire project, led by Dr Fiona Barclay at the University of Stirling, uses the findings of research on the French empire in Algeria to produce materials for use by secondary teachers of French. Its aim is to use a complex story of empire to develop Global Citizenship values and support the take-up of languages in Scottish schools.
This article explores the resources in more detail and provides links to the free downloadable materials aimed at two separate ages: S3 and Advanced Higher.
(Note - A link to the Remembering Empire resources can be found in both the S1-S3 and Senior Phase French classroom resource sections of SCILT's website)
Read more...
31 August 2023 (SCILT)
The Scottish Languages Employability Award (SLEA) celebrates innovation in schools delivering DYW through languages, encouraging school-business partnerships and recognising good practice in this area. The award, which is available at bronze, silver and gold levels, supports teachers in raising awareness of the importance of languages in their school community.
Our most recent verification date in May 2023 saw 11 schools from 10 different local authorities collect an award. Projects covered a wide range of sectors and included links with football clubs, bakeries, travel agents and much more! Find out about each projects by clicking on the school names below.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
The next verification date is 17 November 2023. Visit the SLEA pages of our website to find out how your schools can achieve an award, and keep an eye out in the SCILT e-bulletin for the launch of SLEA Local coming soon!
Read more...
31 August 2023 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK Learning Programme is once again delighted to bring French-speaking cinema free of charge to schools this November and December! All the films in the selection are in French with English subtitles.
Each of the four films will be accompanied by new learning packs in French and English.
Download the programme and start planning your screenings now!
FFF 2023 In-School Learning Programme
Student Film Review Awards
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland will once again award prizes for the best film reviews submitted by students in Scotland.
The Learning Programme is grateful for the generous support of the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, TotalEnergies, the Institut français worldwide network, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, and SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages).
More information about the Festival can be found on the French Film Festival website.
Read more...
29 August 2023 (Institut français)
Le Concours de la Francophonie 2024 is now open!
The national school competition's aim is to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland to enjoy the French language. It has always been a great way of celebrating the international day of la francophonie. In 2023, over 500 pupils from 25 schools all over Scotland took part in the competition.
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French.
The theme of the competition this year is: “Paris Olympic Games 2024: Ouvrons grand les jeux!”
Visit the Institut français website for full details and entry criteria. Submission deadline is 31 January 2024.
Read more...
25 August 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you teaching German at a secondary school in the UK and would like to practice your conversational skills and keep yourself up-to-date with current affairs in German speaking countries?
This conversation course will be right for you. We will be discussing a wide range of topics based on current newspaper articles, radio programmes and clips from German television. You will be taking away up-to-date materials and, hopefully, inspiration and lots of good ideas for your classroom.
The course comprises seven online lessons taking place between late September 2023 and the end of January 2024.
Read more...
25 August 2023 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. Now in its 22nd year, it aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. What is your school doing in 2023?
If you're looking for inspiration, SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. What about making some multilingual bunting, hosting a languages café, or creating a zine? You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2023 blog. Upload a short description and some colourful photos or email scilt@strath.ac.uk.
If you're sharing your celebrations on Twitter tag @scottishcilt and use the hashtag #coeEDL to share your celebrations with schools across Europe!
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Cultural Diversity,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
24 August 2023 (The Conversation)
Figures for GCSEs taken in 2023 show that entries for GCSEs in languages have increased slightly from last year. Despite this, the number of pupils taking a modern foreign language stands at less than 60% of those that did in the peak year of 2001.
The decline in the number of pupils taking modern foreign languages at GCSE dates back to the government’s decision to make the subject optional from 2004. At this point, the number of students taking an exam in the subject declined sharply and have never recovered.
Read more...
24 August 2023 (The British Academy)
The British Academy welcomes the growing popularity of economics, history and some modern languages such as Spanish, Arabic, Urdu and Chinese at GCSE level, but calls for more work to arrest the decline in other humanities and social sciences.
Earlier this month, the British Academy joined forces with the British Science Association to urge teachers, parents and students to consider the benefits of studying a mix of subjects across the humanities, the sciences and the social sciences, in line with the British Academy’s recently launched Connected Knowledge campaign.
Read more...
22 August 2023 (SEET)
Registration for the SEET’s Our World project 2023-24 is now open and totally free to enter! Just fill in this quick form to sign up your school: https://ourworldproject.wufoo.com/forms/z1fa1wdl0fdqs2a/
Our World is a language learning and global citizenship-based filmmaking project for S1 - S6 pupils. It's designed to complement the Curriculum for Excellence and help tackle the Attainment Challenge by providing a free project which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Teams of 4 (S1 - S6) design a storyboard which outlines the film they propose to make. This year's films must include the use of a language other than English and should touch on the theme of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each team must choose at least one of the 17 SDGs to focus their film on.
SEET supports teachers and pupils throughout the whole process, starting with our introductory CLPL session for teachers on Tuesday 12 September 2023.
Visit the SEET website for more information and register to take part.
Read more...
18 August 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce that MTOT is back for 2024, and it’s an extra special year - MTOT celebrates its 10th anniversary!
Over the last decade the competition has evolved from written poems in the beginning, to now focussing on the spoken word. Hearing pupils share their voices and language skills helps bring their poetry to life, and we look forward to seeing what creative brilliance emerges from Scotland’s schools this year. In this 10th anniversary year, we are delighted and very excited to work with our partners at Instituto Cervantes to offer a special prize category for entries in Spanish, one of the most widely taught languages in Scotland’s schools.
So, if you have entered MTOT before, we’d love to welcome you back. If you are new to MTOT, what better year to join than our 10th anniversary year? Our multilingual poetry competition is now open. Visit our MTOT page on the SCILT website for more information and register your school now.
MTOT is 10 years old – come join the celebration!
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
Moving forward with languages: workshops for Higher and Advanced Higher learners
18 August 2023 (SCILT / University partners)
Following the success of last year’s 'Moving Forward with Languages' workshops, SCILT has once again teamed up with languages departments from universities across Scotland to present a series of workshops during term one of the 2023-24 session.
Suitable for pupils studying any language at Higher or Advanced Higher level, learners will get tips, encouragement and support from lecturers which will help with course preparation now, and focus on the future, by finding out what it’s like studying languages at university level. Please note that language-specific examples will vary depending on the partner university's language offer. However, strategies, tips and advice will apply to all languages.
Registrations are now open. Please feel free to share the dates and topics with learners below:
The workshops will take place online via MS Teams and will not be recorded.
Please note that, due to SCILT’s funding conditions, priority is given to pupils attending state schools. If you do not attend a state school please email scilt@strath.ac.uk to enquire about places.
Please also see attached flyer which can be distributed to pupils or colleagues.
17 August 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT’s brand new CLPL workshop menu for 2023-24 is available for your booking requests.
Are you responsible for sourcing high quality professional learning related to languages pedagogy for groups of colleagues in your setting, cluster, local authority or RIC?
You will be interested in our new professional learning offer for all sectors.
The content of the eleven workshops is informed by feedback from teachers and practitioners on their professional learning needs. If your needs are different, we are more than happy to develop the bespoke inputs you and your colleagues require. Just ask.
Always interactive and up-to-date, SCILT workshops provide the opportunity for you and your colleagues to explore aspects of practice with our experienced Professional Development Officers. Our team has a finite capacity, so get in your request as soon as you can.
The focus of workshops for 2023-24 are wide ranging, covering the following issues:
Cross Sector
- Primary-Secondary Transition
Primary and Early Years
- Families on board? Developing a family friendly approach to languages in your setting
- Getting outdoors with languages and learning
- Celebrating cultural diversity through languages in EY and primary
- An introduction to multilingual approaches to primary pedagogy
- Languages in primary: assessing pupils’ learning, evaluating teaching
Secondary
- Policy, planning and practice in BGE (in partnership with Education Scotland)
- Emerging contexts for language learning
- Talking and listening
- Using language skills across the curriculum
- Social-Emotional Learning for languages
For more details, and to make a request for a group visit our Professional Learning webpage.
Note that open access online workshops will also be scheduled across the year. Registration for these will be open to individuals and details will be shared in the SCILT ebulletin in due course.
Read more...
18 August 2023 (BrightRed Publishing)
Advertisement
A new edition of BrightRed Publishing's Higher German Study Guide has been published. The latest edition includes coverage of the Higher German course and is fully up-to-date with the latest SQA changes.
Read more...
10 August 2023 (TES)
New Scottish national data shows a drop in uptake of languages at Higher since 2019, the last year before the Covid pandemic.
The decrease in French entries is particularly steep and, after many years as the most popular language in Scottish schools, uptake is now lower than for Spanish.
However, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (widely known as SCILT) says there is better news in National 5 figures, which suggest there may be the beginnings of a comeback from the Covid years.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
Read more...
Related Links
Exams 2023: Tackling the decline in languages in state schools (TES, 8 August 2023) - Note, subscription required to access full article
A-Level and other level 3 results 2023: The main trends in grades and entries (FFT Education Data Lab, 17 August 2023) - Subjects with the largest fall in entries are Spanish, French and German.
A-Levels 2023: 10 key trends for teachers to know about (TES, 17 August 2023) - Languages in decline.
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
National Qualifications,
Languages in the press,
SQA,
Urdu
Goethe-Institut: German for schools
8 August 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow are offering the following opportunities for schools in the 2023-24 academic session. Follow the relevant link to find out more:
- German days for pupils - visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow with your school class. Your pupils will learn firsthand about German language and culture. We offer various activities designed to show that learning German can be fun and is relevant.
- German Language Adventure - this fast-paced motivational game aims to spark interest in German culture and language and can be played by up to 100 pupils (P7-S2 level). Can be offered at school or at the Goethe-Institut.
6 July 2023 (Clydebank Post)
A Clydebank school was said to have 'impressed judges' on their way to picking up a top educational award for languages.
Pupils across three age groups at St Peter the Apostle High School were praised for their 'passion' for languages such as Gaelic and Spanish as they landed the Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award from SCILT - Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award from SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools.
The recognition award - launched in 2019 - was developed by SCILT as a way of delivering DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) through languages, encouraging school-business partnerships and recognising good practice in this area.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Gaelic,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Business,
Careers,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Partnership Working,
Languages in the press
29 June 2023 (TES)
Spanish is set to overtake French as the most popular GCSE language choice at schools in England, a new report has predicted.
The new Language Trends 2023 report, conducted by the British Council, has found that having been the most selected language at A level for the last four years, Spanish now looks set to replicate that popularity at GCSE level.
While Spanish, French and German remain the most popular languages at GCSE, German is falling increasingly behind, and there were more than 35,000 entries for other modern languages, the highest number recorded so far.
Read more...
Related Links
Two in three state secondary schools in England teach just one foreign language (The Guardian, 29 June 2023)
British Council Language Trends Report 2023 (British Council, 29 June 2023) - Language teaching in primary and secondary schools in England
21 June 2023 (FE News)
A new future-focused French GCSE, designed to better equip all students for life and careers in a global setting, has received full approval from Ofqual for first teaching in 2024.
The reformed qualification from leading awarding body Pearson Edexcel, has been developed in close partnership with schools, language experts and multilinguists to reduce the continued decline in language uptake at GCSE and A level.
Paving the way for updates to Pearson’s language GCSEs in German and Spanish, the new French qualification (for first assessment in 2026), is specifically designed to be more inclusive and accessible to students, with real-world content that reflects and represents the diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities of young learners today.
Read more...
16 June 2023 (SCILT)
Finalists' work from this year's MTOT competition can now be viewed on the SCILT website.
As part of our Mother Tongue Other Tongue poetry competition, SCILT received several entries from young Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine. We wanted the world to be able to access these wonderfully creative and emotive pieces of writing. Our Voices of Hope online exhibition, in partnership with AUGB, will be launched on 21 June as part of Refugee Week Scotland 2023 and will be available on SCILT's website following the launch event.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Migration,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news,
Refugees
15 June 2023 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK 2023 Learning Programme will once again be bringing French-speaking cinema into schools free of charge this autumn! The programme of four films, each accompanied by learning packs, will run between 30 October and 15 December, thanks to the generous support of TotalEnergies, the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, The James T Howard Trust, SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages).
Full details will be available on the French Film Festival website from mid-August.
Read more...
13 June 2023 (British Council)
If you’re new to international collaboration, a short-term partnership could open the door to a world of opportunities for your school.
To make getting started even easier, you can apply to join a British Council guided partnership, where a dedicated partnership facilitator will guide you through a short-term, collaborative, curriculum-based project with an overseas partner.
The next round will take the theme of climate change, a major topic of concern for children around the world. Starting in September 2023 and running through the autumn term, we will facilitate your partnership with a range of curriculum-related activities.
Visit the British Council website for more information and to apply by 14 July 2023.
Read more...
13 June 2023 (The National / British Council)
The popularity of learning languages at Northern Ireland’s schools is “slowly recovering from the pandemic”, a report by the British Council has found.
The Language Trends Northern Ireland report found that the decline in language learning at post-primary schools is plateauing, with Spanish emerging as the most popular, overtaking French.
The research was led by Dr Ian Collen, director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (NICILT) at Queen’s University Belfast, and follows a previous report which found that language lessons were “hardest hit” during Covid-19.
This year’s report found that Spanish is now the language most frequently taught in Northern Ireland’s schools at both GCSE and A-level, overtaking French as the most popular GCSE language in summer 2021.
Read more...
13 June 2023 (SALT)
The SALT annual conference will take place on Saturday 28 October 2023 (am) at the University of Strathclyde.
The event will be a hybrid event. There will be workshops for people attending in-person and workshops for those joining online.
The theme of this year’s conference is Learners without borders: empowering and inspiring Scotland’s language learners.
If you would like to offer a workshop on a topic relevant to Scotland’s Modern Languages teachers (from any sectors), fill in the form and we will be in touch with you! We are keen to hear from all over Scotland and highlight the excellent practice that is happening across the country. Your session will last a maximum of 45 minutes and can be on any topic that you think will be interesting to ML teachers.
Submit SALT 2023 proposals here.
If you are planning on attending the event but not presenting, please save the date and sign up will open in September.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
All Languages,
CPD,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
13 June 2023 (CISS)
The latest edition of the CISS newsletter has been published. Read about the many activities and initiatives going on across the Confucius Classroom Hub Network and CISS’s work to support the learning and teaching of Mandarin, including competitions, online learning and events.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
CISS news
Immersion courses and professional learning for teachers of Spanish
8 June 2023 (Consejería de Educación)
The Consejería de Educación in the United Kingdom has several upcoming professional learning opportunities for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant links below for more information and to book your place:
IMMERSION COURSES IN SPAIN
Spanish language course in Salamanca
- Grants to follow a 1 week Spanish language course in Salamanca aimed at Primary or Secondary teachers during summer. 3 different levels: beginners, intermediate and advanced Spanish. Information and registration on the Consejería de Educación website.
Course on Didactics in Castilla y León
- Grants for a course on didactics aimed at teachers of Spanish in the UK and Ireland. 1 week course during summer in Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos or Palencia. A high command of Spanish is required. Information and registration on the Consejería de Educación website.
MORE CPD OPPORTUNITIES
Spanish Day in Edinburgh – Saturday 17 June
- Face-to-face training day for teachers of Spanish in primary, secondary, university and further education. Free registration.
Spanish Workshops in London – Saturday 24 June
- Big Spanish Day at the Vicente Cañada Blanch Spanish Institute in London. Aimed at teachers of Spanish, it includes a wide offer of practical workshops on different aspects complemented by other attractive aspects related to culture in Spanish: the gastronomic proposal for lunch and the cultural workshops that close the day: theatre and «sevillanas» dance. Full programme and registration on the Consejería de Educación website.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
HE,
Spanish,
CPD,
Immersion,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
6 June 2023 (ESFF)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival will celebrate ten years of Spanish cinema in schools this October.
During the week 2 - 6 October, classrooms across the UK can have online access to three films:
- Los Futbolísimos (The Footballest)
- Rara (Weird)
- CartasVivas (Living Letters) *For S5-S6 only*
Each film will be accompanied by worksheets so that the students can delve deeper into the themes discussed, once the film has been watched.
Visit the ESFF website to book tickets and receive the access code.
Read more...
6 June 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scottish Book Trust, together with Hands Up for Trad, Scots Hoose, Education Scotland and Scottish Government, are running a competition to find Scotland’s ‘Young Scots writer of the Year’.
Stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes.
The competition is open to 11-18 year-olds, and entries should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 21 June 2023.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information and submission guidelines.
Read more...
3 June 2023 (National World)
Education experts have told NationalWorld the government needs a 10-year plan for foreign language teaching in schools - after figures showed the number of students taking French, German and Spanish A Levels fell again this year in England.
Business leaders are also calling for a “fundamental change” in approach so the next generation of UK entrepreneurs are “born global”. Ministers say they’re spending nearly £15 million improving teaching and promoting the benefits of language learning.
The exams regulator Ofqual said on Thursday (1 June) there were just 2,210 German A Level entries this summer - a fall of 17% on last year, the biggest percentage drop of any subject on the curriculum, and 24% down on five years ago.
Read more...
1 June 2023 (The Guardian)
Languages and the creative arts are falling out of favour among GCSE and A-level students, who are increasingly opting for more vocational subjects such as computing and business studies.
Provisional figures for England show exam entries for German have fallen by 17% for A-level students and 6% for GCSE studies, while Spanish and French have fallen 13% at A-level, although there has been a 5% increase for Spanish GCSEs, and French entries stayed at a similar level.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize 2023 - Winners announced!
1 June 2023 (SCILT)
The final of this year’s Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize took place on Tuesday 30 May. This prize, run in partnership between the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland and SCILT, was established in 2021 in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community.
The awards ceremony was held on Zoom with opening remarks and announcement of the winner by Lord Brodie, President of the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland. Mme Laurence Païs, Consule Générale de France and Directrice de l’Institut Français d’Écosse.
First place and runners-up spots were closely contested, with the awards ultimately going to the following:
First place
- Lola Guatelli (Robert Gordon’s College)
Runners-up
- Toby Reid (Harlaw Academy)
- Renata Csapai (St Margaret’s Academy)
Highly commended for reaching the final six were also:
- Dishan Aloysius (Holyrood Secondary School)
- Maya McGowan (Bearsden Academy)
- Ailie Wright (Inverkeithing High School)
Congratulations go to these finalists and to all those who took part in this competition! The standard of French was very high indeed and judging decisions came down to the finest of margins.
The 2023 awards ceremony will shortly be published on both the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland and SCILT websites.
31 May 2023 (e-Sgoil)
E-Sgoil offers Gaelic courses designed by award-winning staff, with the language coming alive through regular, interactive, online lessons, and quality digital support materials.
The National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses are designed to help develop skills and knowledge rapidly, getting even those learners with no Gaelic at the start of the course to a level of confidence and fluency quickly.
Visit the website for more information and to register interest for the 2023-24 session.
Read more...
Free online courses from British Council
30 May 2023 (British Council / FutureLearn)
The following British Council online courses are due to commence shortly. Click on the relevant link for more information and to enrol:
- Teaching English to refugees and displaced learners - find out about our free 4-week online course 'Teaching English to refugees and displaced learners' starting on 6 June 2023. Enrolment ends on 26 June 2023 and the course closes on 3 July.
- Exploring Inclusive Pedagogies - ensure you’re meeting every learner’s needs, including those most at risk of exclusion, by developing inclusive teaching skills in this free online 3-week course commencing 12 June 2023.
19 May 2023 (SEET)
It's our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! 50% of proceeds will be allocated to your own school fund, and 50% will be shared with our charity to further support young people with their language learning across Scotland. There will also be prizes for the most unique ideas and for the school that raises the most.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
19 May 2023 (Scots Language Centre)
Scottish Book Trust, together with Hands Up for Trad, Scots Hoose, Education Scotland and Scottish Government, are running a competition to find Scotland’s ‘Young Scots writer of the Year’.
The competition is open to 11-18 year-olds, and entries should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 21 June 2023.
Visit the Scots Language Centre website for more information and submission guidelines.
Read more...
19 May 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations again to everyone who took part in our recent Words for the World competition.
Following the awards ceremony on 25 April, and the announcement of the winners’ names, we are now delighted to be able to publish the winning, highly commended and other finalist entries in each category. We are sure that you will be impressed by the fantastic linguistic diversity, creativity and passion that all the finalists show. Well done everyone!
At the awards ceremony we were delighted to be able to share a personal video message from Len Pennie, the well-known Scottish poet and Scots language and mental health advocate, which spoke of the huge difference that all of our words can make; watch her video and be inspired!
Read more...
16 May 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you studying German at university or for your A-Level / Highers / Advanced Highers? Would you like to share your passion for the language with younger learners and inspire them to want to continue their own German journey? Then why not join our Young Goethe Scheme?
Young Goethe Ambassadors are student role models who promote the benefits of learning German to young people and encourage younger students to learn and choose German as an option at GCSE / National Fives, A-Level / Highers and beyond.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and how to apply.
Read more...
16 May 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut Glasgow are offering dates for school visits from June 2023.
Provide your students with a direct and personal look into the German language and culture. Depending on the age group and language level of your students, you can choose a programme from a range of activities for your trip to the Goethe-Institut Glasgow.
Visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow website for more information and to register your school group.
Read more...
Workshops for UK teachers of Spanish
16 May 2023 (Consejería de Educación)
The Consejería de Educación has the following professional learning opportunities for UK teachers of Spanish taking place in June 2023. Click on the relevant link below for more information:
3 June, 10:00 - 11:30 (Online):
10 June, 09:30 - 12:30 (Online):
17 June (face-to-face training day):
All the above sessions are free to attend.
Summer course in Spain:
Apply for an immersion course in Spain (Ávila, Segovia and Santander).
Application deadline: 27 May.
8 one-week immersion courses in June, July or August 2023 in Ávila, Segovia or Santander aimed at British/Irish teachers of Spanish (a B2 command of Spanish is required).
The grant covers the course, accommodation and meals, as well as the cultural programme. The grant does not cover the journey to Spain or the return to the UK. Travel and/or health insurance is also not included.
This call is not for Spanish nationals.
Visit the Consejería de Educación website for further information and to apply.
12 May 2023 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize has now launched! It is the leading annual prize for poetry in translation, with categories for pupils, teachers and individual young people in the UK and Ireland, as well as an Open category for adults from all over the world. The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language – from French to Farsi, from Spanish to Somali—and win publication and cash prizes!
There are some changes for the 2023 edition, including a spotlight on poetry from Ukraine.
Visit the Stephen Spender Prize website for further information and to register to take part.
Read more...
11 May 2023 (British Council)
As part of the British Council's EU/UK Youth Stronger Together programme, the Social Action strand focusing on schools offers thematic events, workshops and competitions to facilitate partnership building between schools in the UK and EU.
Aspiring to highlight the role of young people aged 15–18 as changemakers, active global citizens and leaders at local, national and European level, key activities include:
- Virtual thematic events on topics of common interest, generated by young people themselves
- International school partnerships between schools in the EU and the UK working together on social action campaign projects
Winners of the school partnership competition will have the opportunity to take part in an international face-to-face workshop on digital campaigning for social purpose!
Schools interested in taking part in the programme should complete the short survey on the British Council website by 15 June 2023.
Read more...
5 May 2023 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning opportunities, knowledge exchange events, competitions and online lessons. Find out how schools celebrated Languages Week Scotland 2023 and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
A Global Citizenship Approach to French - Free new materials for French learners!!
4 May 2023 (Scotdec / University of Stirling / SCILT)
‘Remembering Empire’ is an interdisciplinary learning programme for pupils of French in S3 and AH, developed by Dr Fiona Barclay (University of Stirling) with the support of the AHRC to build language competence and global citizenship values by exploring France’s empire in Algeria. You can read more about the project and materials on SCILT's website.
Join Scotdec for a series of workshops for BGE and AH French teachers alongside Dr Barclay introducing you to the materials, and providing guidance on discussing themes of colonisation, immigration and refugees within the context of a Global Citizenship approach. More information, dates and sign-up information on the flyer attached below.
In addition, SCILT and Scotdec are joining forces to present a webinar on Active Global Citizenship Through Modern Languages on Thursday 1 June, 4-5pm. As well as general strategies, this webinar will also introduce the Remembering Empire project materials. Register for the free event!
4 May 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Words for the World competition.
We had a very high standard of entries submitted in a range of formats and different languages. Our young people here in Scotland demonstrated a wealth of linguistic diversity, creativity and immense passion for protecting our planet, our humanity and creating a brighter future for us all. We were truly humbled and inspired by their work and they should all be incredibly proud of their achievements.
Judging proved exceptionally difficult, but we were delighted to announce the winning entries at an online awards event held last week to celebrate Earth Day. Well done again to the following who were successful in their respective categories and thank you to every pupil who participated in the competition.
P1-P4
- Winner – Libby Gow, Goodlyburn Primary
- Highly commended – Jamie Rettie, Goodlyburn Primary
P5-P7
- Winner – Sophia Chan, ESMS Junior School
- Highly commended – Halima Jemal, Toryglen Primary
- Highly commended – Leena Valluri, Goodlyburn Primary
S1-S3
- Winner - Deepak Krisna Kumaar, Craigmount High
- Highly commended – 1W & 1Q class entry, Holy Rood RC High
- Highly commended – Rory Turner, Portree High
S4-S6
- Winner - Dianna-Liza Boychuk, Craigmount High
- Highly commended - Wessam Kawarit, Craigmount High
Winners and highly commended entrants will receive a book token and certificate and have their work showcased on the SCILT website in due course, whilst all participants will receive a certificate in recognition of their hard work.
You can find out more about the competition on our Words for the World webpage.
Read more...
Language courses for pupils at Edinburgh College
27 April 2023 (Edinburgh College)
School pupils who find their chosen language qualification is not offered in their school can study their NQ language course online for free with Edinburgh College.
The college offers National 5 courses in French, German and Spanish as well as Higher and Advanced Higher French, German, Italian and Spanish.
See the attached flyer for details.
24 April 2023 (SCQF)
As part of our continuous review of the SCQF School Ambassador programme, we are investigating the possibility of a new ‘Ambassador’ award that schools could use to gain some formal recognition for young people involved as pupil ambassadors.
The proposed award would be flexible to allow pupils involved in any ambassador programme to take part, meaning that those involved in MyWOW, Young STEM leaders, or any other programmes could gain an SQA award too.
To progress with the idea, SQA would like to gauge interest within schools and we can go from there.
If you have a Language Ambassador Programme in your school, this could be an ideal way to award participants.
Visit the SCQF website for more information and to register your school's interest in the initiative.
Read more...
The Big Question: SCILT secondary seminar series
21 April 2023 (SCILT)
Wrestling with writing? Run out of steam with reading? Tearing your hair out with talking? Looking for inspiration with listening?
This year’s Big Question series might just help! This series of weekly workshops in May and June aimed at secondary practitioners will focus on the four core skills: listening, reading, writing and talking. Each week we will look at practical ideas of why and how to approach a different skill. Come and join us as we examine strategies and share resources and activities!
Each session will feature the chance to hear from guest practitioners, and the opportunity to discuss and share with fellow teachers, and hopefully together to come up with some answers to these questions!
The four seminar dates are:
- Wednesday 17 May: Reading, with guest practitioner Robbie Kirk, PT Modern Languages, Chryston High
- Thursday 25 May: Listening, with guest practitioners Liegha Laing & and the team from Meldrum Academy
- Tuesday 6 June: Writing, with guest practitioner Scott Jordan, Musselburgh Grammar School
- Wednesday 14 June: Talking, with guest practitioner Joanne Curran, PT Languages (BGE) Larbert High
Seminars are free to attend and are open to all secondary languages teachers and student teachers; attend as many or as few as you wish!
The sessions will be hosted on MS Teams and will not be recorded.
Registrations for all workshops are open now via the links above. Please also see attached flyer which can be shared with colleagues.
20 April 2023 (CISS)
To commemorate the final year of the Giant Pandas in Scotland CISS is excited to introduce the Panda Card Project - an opportunity for pupils to design a goodbye card for Yang Guang and Tian Tian, to wish them best wishes for their journey and new life back at home.
All submissions will be collated into a photo book which will be passed on to Edinburgh Zoo and then travel back to China with the pandas.
Visit the CISS website for more information and submit entries by 26 May 2023.
Read more...
18 April 2023 (Scottish Poetry Library)
The Scottish Poetry Library seeks submissions to its talent development scheme for poetry writers aged 16 to 25 years. We are looking for poets and poetry that are unique, imaginative and bold – a lot like Scotland itself.
We will select five young makars in total: four poets writing in English or Scots, and a writer in Scottish Gaelic. A bursary of £500 will be made available to each poet to support their engagement with the programme.
Visit the Scottish Poetry Library website for more information and submit applications by 28 April 2023.
Read more...
18 April 2023 (SEET)
It's our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! 50% of proceeds will be allocated to your own school fund, and 50% will be shared with our charity to further support young people with their language learning across Scotland. There will also be prizes for the most unique ideas and for the school that raises the most.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
17 April 2023 (British Council)
Applications for Modern Language Assistants in 2023/24 are now open for schools, colleges and universities across the UK through the British Council website.
Bringing authentic voices into French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, German, Italian and Irish lessons allows students to see the relevance of these languages alongside their cultural context. What's more, in 2021, 92 per cent of host institutions told us their Language Assistants helped improve exam results. These cultural ambassadors enhance lessons and develop intercultural awareness. From speaking practice to fresh cultural insights, their input and encouragement enriches pupil experience, preparing them for future success.
Please note: The deadline to guarantee a Mandarin Chinese Language Assistant has now passed. We will however accept applications for Mandarin Chinese Language Assistant until 30 April 2023 but there is a chance you may be placed on a waiting list.
Our dedicated team are well-equipped to support with the administrative steps and flexible hosting options are available with different placement lengths and sharing possibilities. Throughout the challenges of the past few years, Language Assistants have proved to be a key tool, and in some cases a ‘lifeline’, for continued pupil engagement with language learning. Back in the classroom, their expertise not only motivates pupils, but provides teachers with in-house professional development and refreshed linguistic materials.
If you have any further questons, please contact us at: LanguageAssistants.UK@BritishCouncil.Org
Visit the British Council website for full details and to apply by 30 April.
Read more...
30 March 2023 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize for poetry translation is open to all ages. This year’s prize will launch on 12 May 2023, but teachers are invited to register to involve their students now. All those who register will receive regular resources and activities to help them to integrate creative translation into their teaching.
The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language.
This year sees several new categories in the competition, including a special spotlight on poetry from Ukraine.
Visit the website for more information and to sign-up to take part.
Read more...
28 March 2023 (University of Exeter)
To celebrate the UK's cultural diversity, the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Visual Studies at the University of Exeter are inviting secondary pupils (aged 11-16) to take a photo showing languages other than English in their local area - shop signs, bilingual street signs, film posters, advertisements and so on. Provide a brief caption, describing why and how the language is used in your chosen photograph (up to 100 words).
Schools can select up to three entries to submit to the competition.
The top 30 entries will feature in an exhibition touring Exeter, London, and Sheffield. And there are prizes up for grabs too!
Visit the website for full competition details and how to enter by 28 April 2023.
Read more...
28 March 2023 (TES)
Despite Scotland not producing any new Latin or classical studies teachers, a new project is raising hopes that the language of ancient Rome can be revived in schools.
[..] Dr Henry Stead (of the University of St Andrews) and I (at Monifieth High School, in Angus) initiated a new project - the St Andrews Latin Outreach Scheme (Stalos) - to introduce more state-school pupils to the language of the ancient Romans.
Last year, instructors from St Andrews travelled to Monifieth in Angus once per week, where a lunchtime group of 20 enthusiastic S4-6 pupils were guided through sections of the Cambridge Latin Course over nine weeks. The class then went to the university for an end-of-course certificate presentation event. This opportunity came without the obligation of the full course - they could try an ancient language out to see if it was for them, an opportunity they would otherwise be denied.
The wider impact of the scheme has been remarkable in showing an appetite for Latin in our school. It has provided an opportunity for pupils to visit and experience the University of St Andrews and - crucially - made a case for Latin as an examination subject for us.
(Note - subscription required to access the full article)
Read more...
Professional learning for teachers of Spanish
28 March 2023 (Consejería de Educación)
The Spanish Embassy Education Office has several professional learning opportunities available for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant link below for further information.
Online workshop – Tuesday 25 April (16:30)
- Aprender a cuestionar: textos y contextos Geniales para desarrollar la competencia crítica en el aula de ELE, by Álvaro Espada Benito (editorial editorial enclave-ELE).. More information and registration via the website link above.
Immersion courses in Salamanca - Dates available June to September 2023
- One-week Spanish language course - The University of Salamanca, its International Courses and the Junta de Castilla y León, offer scholarships for active Spanish teachers outside of Spain to take a week-long course on Spanish language and culture and didactic updating in Salamanca. Several dates are offered between June and September. Register via the above website link.
Spanish workshop in London - 24 June 2023
- Save the date! More information and registration coming soon.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
HE,
Spanish,
CPD,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
17 March 2023 (Cambridge Language Collective)
The Cambridge Language Collective is delighted to be opening its third annual Schools’ Essay Competition. Following the spirit of the publication’s own personal objective, to ‘broaden horizons beyond the Anglophone world’, the essay competition encourages students from years 10 to 13 (S4-S6 in Scotland) to write about the art & culture, or politics & society, of a non-Anglophone country.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 5 April 2023.
Read more...
16 March 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Calling all learners and lovers of German in the UK and Ireland! We invite you to look back at turning points from the past century of German – and therefore also European – history. Write a letter or diary entry imagining alternative developments and win one of three trips to Berlin and other exciting prizes!
The competition is open to learners and lovers of German of ALL levels! Jury members will be considering entries in several categories of language experience to ensure a fair assessment!
Exercises and recommended media to help students familiarise themselves with the theme of the competition are available to teachers and lecturers.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 3 May 2023.
Read more...
13 March 2023 (SCILT)
‘We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world.’ (Malala Yousafzai)
Are you looking for a way to engage your language learners to think about global issues and global citizenship? Our Words for the World competition could be just what you need! Returning for the 2022-23 school session, SCILT is challenging learners to use their words and their languages to show how the world could be a better place.
Participants are invited to use a language (or languages) other than English to show their ideas, hopes or even advice for our world. Submissions can be in any written format, for example a poem, an essay, a cartoon – be creative!
More information about the competition is available on our Words for the World webpage below. The entry deadline for entries is 24 March 2023.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Citizenship,
Language Skills,
Linguistic Diversity,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news,
LWS
9 March 2023 (SEET)
It’s our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! See the attached flyer for more information.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
Remembering Empire: Free materials to build global citizenship values and competence in French (S3 and AH)
7 March 2023 (University of Stirling)
Looking for free new materials for French learners? ‘Remembering Empire’ is an interdisciplinary learning programme for pupils of French in S3 and Advanced Higher. Developed by Dr Fiona Barclay (University of Stirling) with the support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, ‘Remembering Empire’ builds language competence and global citizenship values by exploring France’s empire in Algeria. By focusing on the establishment of the colony, life there, and the departure of the settlers when Algeria became independent, learners are encouraged to make connections with Scotland’s history of emigration and colonisation, and with the experiences of refugees today.
The S3 programme consists of five sessions and focuses on an electronic comic book, ‘Entre ici et là-bas’, which tells the story of Jeanne, a young French girl whose family are forced to leave Algeria when it becomes independent. Waiting to board a ship, she reflects on her family’s history, from her great-grandfather who arrived in 1871 and built a farm for his family, to her own experiences of the war that led to independence. We hear about the indigenous Arab population and think about how they experienced this history.
Activities based on the comic include:
- City/country names and prepositions
- Asking questions and naming objects (if you had to leave home suddenly, what would you pack in your suitcase?)
- Describing emotions and using être in the present (how do the different characters feel?)
- Different daily routines, in Algeria and in France
- Using the near future (aller + infinitive) to imagine what the characters might do in the future.
Free resources include the comic (available on Webtoons), a video-recording of the comic being read aloud by a native speaker, lesson plans for all sessions with detailed information and interactive activities, and suggested drama activities led by actors with video guides.
For learners taking Advanced Higher French, Remembering Empire offers full support for the portfolio element, including the two required texts (a play and an interview with the playwright). Five sessions of archive footage, readings and activities in French introduce learners to the history and culture of French Algeria and the war which led to independence, and give the background required to study the play.
Six sessions focus on a French play, Les Pieds Tanqués (2012). Set on a pétanque pitch, the play presents the conflicting memories of the Algerian War. Full resources include the interactive electronic text of the play and notes, a written interview with the playwright, Philippe Chuyen, lesson plans with detailed information and classroom activities, a blank fiche de lecture and character profiles for pupils to complete (plus completed versions for teachers), and a video recording of a live performance. The package also includes a plan for a potential AH Portfolio essay question.
Interested? The materials will be available from April 2023. To express an interest and be contacted then, leave your name and contact details on this form: https://forms.gle/JNoer7PA2zkAjzvg9
3 March 2023 (Barrhead News)
Senior pupils at an East Renfrewshire school have put their foreign language skills to good use by taking part in an international podcast.
Francesca Bell, Sam Wells, Rachael Martin and head boy James Orr, of Mearns Castle High, were interviewed for the show by Ángela Gutiérrez, from Spain, and Mariana Mejía, from Colombia.
[..] The episode featuring the four S6 pupils is called ‘Entrevistamos a estudiantes de Glasgow’ and was fully recorded in Spanish.
Read more...
CPD opportunities for teachers of Spanish
2 March 2023 (Consejería de Educación)
The Spanish Embassy Education Office has several professional learning opportunities available for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant link below for further information.
Next online workshop – Tuesday 7 March (16:30)
Immersion courses in Salamanca - April 2023
- One-week Spanish language course - Grants to follow a one-week Spanish language course in Salamanca aimed at primary or secondary teachers at Easter. Four different levels: absolute beginners, beginners, intermediate and advanced Spanish. Register via the website link.
- Course on Didactics in Salamanca - Grants for a course on didactics aimed at secondary and university teachers of Spanish in the UK and Ireland. One-week course in Salamanca at Easter. Register via the website link.
March 2023: Spanish teacher training UK tour
Edinumen Publishing House and the Consejería de Educación are co- organising a series of face-to-face training sessions for teachers of Spanish to take place throughout March 2023 in five British cities:
- Manchester, Saturday 11/03/23
- Oxford, Tuesday 14/03/23
- London, Wednesday 15/03/23
- Cambridge, Thursday 16/03/23
- Glasgow, Saturday 18/03/23
Registration is free and already open. The workshops will be held in Spanish. Visit the website for the programme and registration links.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Spanish,
CPD,
Immersion,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
2 March 2023 (e-Sgoil)
Registration for e-Sgoil's Easter study support sessions is now open.
Please note, even if you've been attending term-time evening classes you must register separately for the Easter programme.
Sessions are free to learners. Visit the website to view the timetable and sign up for your preferred sessions. Various classes available for French, German, Gaelic/Gàidhlig and Spanish from National 5 to Advanced Higher.
Read more...
28 February 2023 (Glasgow Film Festival)
Glasgow Film Festival takes place 1-12 March screening the best new releases, a host of old favourites, and some undiscovered gems.
Visit the website for full programme details. Search in the 'genre' dropdown on the What's On page for foreign language films.
Read more...
24 February 2023 (SCILT)
Applications for Scotland's Languages Leadership Programme 2023-24 (SLLP) open until 5pm on Monday 24 April.
The SLLP builds leadership capacity to achieve a sustainable model for leading language learning and teaching for all. Applications are welcome from colleagues with 3 years' teaching experience or equivalent, who are interested in developing approaches to language learning and in implementing change in their own contexts. This might include classroom teachers, principal teachers, heads of department, heads of faculty or languages lead practitioners.
This online programme is free of charge to state schools and offers participants the opportunity to engage with the most up-to-date information from Education Scotland and other agencies involved in the delivery of Scotland’s languages policy.
Visit our Professional Learning page for more information about the programme and how to apply. You can also sign up for an online information session which will be hosted by SCILT and Education Scotland on Thursday 23 March.
Read more...
Vive la Francophonie Quiz 2023
24 February 2023 (Institut français)
Test your French and learn more about the culture of the 88 countries which form the Francophonie! The focus of this year's quiz is Tunisia. Make the most of the Francophonie celebrations and get a chance to win books and other exciting prizes!
The quiz will be available online 18-26 March.
Visit the website for more information and to register to take part.
MTOT 2022-23 - Winners announced!
24 February 2023 (SCILT)
Pupils, teachers and special guests joined us online on 21 February to hear the winners of this year’s Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition. The date chosen for the event was significant being International Mother Language Day, a day to celebrate all world languages.
We are delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Sofia Poliakova
|
West Primary
|
Russian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Jiya Srikanth
|
West Primary
|
Tamil
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Ariana Misankova
|
West Primary
|
Slovakian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Arina Fomenko
|
Williamsburgh PS
|
Russian-Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Nikola Arimovica
|
Valley Primary
|
Russian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Misha Levdykov
|
Kilbarchan Primary
|
Russian-Ukrainian
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Shadan Alousy
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Arabic
|
|
Highly commended
|
Eve Joshi
|
Bearsden Academy
|
Danish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lynn Januschke
|
Madras College
|
German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Michaela Mileva
|
St Joseph’s Academy
|
Bulgarian
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Oleksandra Lotytska
|
Rosshall Academy
|
Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lucia d’Alessio
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Italian
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Mabel Sainsbury
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
P1 Class
|
Canaan Lane Primary
|
French
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Kathryn Morley
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Giles Leigh
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Masha Naumenko
|
Thorn Primary
|
Ukrainian
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Caitlin Anderson
|
Monifieth High
|
Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Laila Strokosch
|
Mearns Castle High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Molly Innes
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Zach Bartlett
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Jessica Smith
|
Monifieth High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Aiman Mohammad
|
Renfrew High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Aimee Carroll
|
Mintlaw Academy
|
German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Jessica Smith
|
Monifieth High
|
Spanish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Roux Scott
|
Loudoun Academy
|
Spanish
|
All our finalists will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also be offered the chance for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
This year we were also delighted to host a special strand of the competition focusing on Ukrainian languages. The winning entries in this category were:
- Primary – Arina Fomenko, Williamsburgh Primary
- Secondary – Dianna-Liza Boyckuk, Craigmount High
Teachers with students who entered in this category will be contacted separately regarding their awards.
It is our intention to host each of the finalists’ poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!
20 February 2023 (Institut français)
With the French Pop Video Competition, students get the chance to practice French in a very different and fun way. Not only do they improve their writing skills and enrich their vocabulary by creating their own lyrics, but they also practice their speaking skills while shooting the video and create lifelong memories related to their French class.
Open to all UK primary and secondary schools. Entries can be from a class, a small group or individuals.
Visit the website for full details and register to take part by 10 March.
Read more...
16 February 2023 (LFEE)
LFEE Europe is again offering their online GTCS-accredited course for Secondary teachers.
Participants to this course will meet the GTCS requirements for residency.
The course will run from March to May 2023.
Visit the LFEE website for further information about the course and fees.
Read more...
10 February 2023 (SCILT / QFI)
SCILT continues to work in partnership with Qatar Foundation International to offer our Discovering the World of Arabic programme in session 2023/24.
For session 2023/24 we are making changes to the way we will deliver Discovering the World of Arabic - Secondary. Participating schools will benefit from:
- a grant of £2000 to support the school with resources/ materials/ experiences that will enhance learning
- a dedicated live online lesson every week for each individual school participating (time to be agreed with each school)
- asynchronous materials to consolidate and further explore Arabic language and Arab cultures
- ongoing support from SCILT team
We are currently looking for local authority secondary schools in Scotland who would be interested in opening the door to the Arab world through this programme.
The collaboration will provide an opportunity for local authority secondary schools to offer L3 learning experiences in Arabic language and cultures. BGE and Senior Phase courses have been co-created by the SCILT team and specially commissioned writers, with language lessons delivered online by a teacher of Arabic. Both courses focus on developing conversational Arabic which will enhance learners’ understanding of Arab cultures and, in the Senior Phase course, their employability skills. It is aimed at beginner learners who are seeking to enhance their language learning experience and develop their portfolio of skills.
The courses are delivered using a mix of live and recorded classes, with supplementary materials being shared via Glow Teams. The lessons give learners the chance to explore aspects of Arab cultures as well as providing a solid linguistic foundation for learning the world’s fifth most spoken language.
Places are limited for this opportunity, so if you would like your school to be considered to take part, please complete the note of interest form via the link below by Friday 3 March. Responses given on the note of interest form may inform the final selection of schools for this opportunity.
Please contact SCILT if you have any questions.
Read more...
9 February 2023 (Education Scotland)
Languages Week Scotland was celebrated from 30 January to 3 February. If you missed it, don’t worry, there are still plenty of resources to support language learners. Browse our languages wakelet for lots of useful links and resources.
Read more...
Summer courses in Germany
8 February 2023 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers summer opportunities for German learners; these bring language-learning to life by combining language lessons with cultural trips and excursions, as well as staying with host families. The application deadline for all programmes is 1 March 2023.
The programmes are open to pupils who have been learning German for at least 2 years and are eager to actively put their German knowledge to use.
These programmes take place on different dates during July and August. More information can be found on the dedicated webpages.
There is also an opportunity for for secondary teachers to act as group leaders on the German Pupil Courses. These are paid roles. Follow the link below for more information:
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Cultural Diversity,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
3 February 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you teaching German at a secondary school and would like to practise your conversational skills and keep yourself up-to-date with current affairs in German speaking countries?
This conversation course will be right for you. We will be discussing a wide range of topics based on current newspaper articles, radio programmes and clips from German television. You will be taking away up-to-date materials and, hopefully, inspiration and lots of good ideas for your classroom.
The course consists of six online sessions February-May 2023 held over Zoom.
Read more...
3 February 2023 (University of Glasgow)
This collaborative project, carried out by an international team based at the University of Glasgow and at the Arabic Center of the Islamic University of Gaza (Palestine), explores the inclusion of a ‘refugee language’ in Scottish education as a way to enact the idea of ‘integration as a two-way process’ that is at the heart of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy (Scottish Government, 2018).
The project aimed to show that it is possible to make space in Scottish education for the many languages that New Scots bring with them and to give a space in Scottish schools to a greater number of languages that include those of the people who chose Scotland as their new home.
Visit the website for more information and to read the project's final report.
Read more...
2 February 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Each month the Scottish Book Trust runs a writing competition providing a prompt to get you started, but where the story goes from there is entirely up to you. The competition includes four categories: adult writers, all-age Gaelic writers, young writers 5–11 and young writers 12–18.
This month's stories must include a fox and be no longer than 50 words. Visit the Scottish Book Trust website to enter by 28 February.
Read more...
2 February 2023 (Queen's College Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators competition aims to promote language learning across UK and inspire creativity in the modern languages classroom. Participation is free and entry criteria is as follows:
- For students of French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish in KS3-5.
- In addition to competition task, teachers receive up to 15 sets of resources for each language on translating poetry, fiction, non-fiction for use in build-up to competition.
- Deadline for competition entries: 3 April 2023.
- Winners selected for 10 geographical areas. National winners selected for each level in each language. All winners and commendations announced on our webpage.
Last year over 14,000 pupils across the UK took part and the feedback from teachers was enormously positive. Teachers can register to receive classroom resources and competition tasks on the Queen's College Oxford website or for more information contact translation.exchange@queens.ox.ac.uk.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
2 February 2023 (Japan Foundation)
Applications are now open for the Japan Foundation's new event, The Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK – also known as… JaLaChamp! JaLaChamp is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese, and consists of two categories: a speech category, and a video category where students are asked to create an original video.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information.
Read more...
1 February 2023 (RZSS)
RZSS Stripy Tails
Free online resources are now available. Stripy Tails is one of RZSS language comparison projects, comparing the red panda from China with the ring-tailed lemur from Madagascar and links to either Mandarin or French. Resources are for upper primary level but may be useful for lower secondary. The resources all include sound files by senior pupils. See either Beyond the Panda - Stripy Tails or Science in the Language Class - French.
Bookings taken now for the accompanying FREE Stripy Tails outreach sessions across Scotland in May and June - contact srobb@rzss.org.uk
Giants
Don't forget there is also Giants a similar programme comparing the giant panda and the giant anteater for Mandarin or Spanish. RZSS Beyond the Panda and Science in the Language Class also have many other free resources and outreach programmes.
Read more...
31 January 2023 (Scottish Education Awards)
Nominations are now open for this year's Scottish Education Awards.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
There are several award categories, including the award for Gaelic Education.
Visit the website for more information and submit nominations by 24 February 2023.
Read more...
27 January 2023 (SCILT)
The Scottish Languages Employability Award was developed by SCILT and Bòrd na Gàidhlig and launched in 2019 as a way of delivering DYW through languages, encouraging school-business partnerships and recognising good practice in this area. Since then we have received fantastic submissions from primary and secondary schools right across the country, and we have awarded recognition at Bronze, Silver, Gold and even Platinum levels!
Following review, we are delighted to launch our revised documentation, which is designed to streamline the application process and to give as much guidance as possible to schools who would like to apply. Have a look at the new handbook and application form on our website now – we look forward to receiving your submissions!
Read more...
26 January 2023 (SWEIC)
South West Educational Improvement Collaborative (SWEIC) is excited to launch our programme of professional learning opportunities in celebration of languages week. This year we have a wide selection of inputs, including French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Scots, Gaelic and BSL.
Our Keynote delivered by Education Scotland colleagues is A decade of 1+2 and Scotland’s changing languages landscape.
Visit the SWEIC blog to find out what's planned for the week and how to take part.
Read more...
26 January 2023 (Institut français)
All year round, the Institut français d’Écosse offers a variety of language workshops and Immersion days to support pupils and teachers in primary and secondary schools. Give your students the opportunity to be surrounded by the French language and supported by our team of qualified, native-speaking French teachers and friendly staff. Maximum group of 20 pupils.
More information is available on the attached flyer or you can visit the Institut français website.
Read more...
24 January 2023 (Oxford German Network)
Round 2 of the Oxford German Olympiad 2023 is now open for entries. Round 1 and Round 2 are separate competitions. You may enter both, but do not need to have entered Round 1 in order to enter Round 2.
The competition is open to secondary students with a choice of two tasks for different age categories in the second round:
- TASK 1: Oxford German Network Essay or Video Task (ages 13-17)
- TASK 2: The White Rose Project: Creative translation (ages 16-18)
Visit the competition website for full details and submit entries by 12 noon on 9 March 2023.
Read more...
20 January 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT’s CLPL menu for the 2022-23 session is available for bookings.
If you are looking for high quality professional learning related to languages pedagogy for groups of experienced colleagues, newly qualified or student teachers in your school, cluster, local authority or RIC, then look no further.
Always interactive, SCILT menu workshops give you the opportunity to explore practice through exemplification and discussion with colleagues.
Primary
- Engaging parents with languages in the primary and early years
- Cultural contexts: an engaging approach to primary language learning
- Get multilingual with DYW in your primary classroom
- Active assessment in primary languages
- Multilingual approaches to primary pedagogy
Secondary
- Policy, planning and practice in BGE (in partnership with Education Scotland)
- Emerging contexts for language learning
- Tackling controversial issues in challenging times
- Talking and listening
- Using language skills across the curriculum
For more detail about the menu workshops and to book for a group follow the link below.
Open access workshops for individuals in primary and secondary will be available through the year, sign up to the SCILT e-bulletin for more information.
Read more...
19 January 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Are you someone with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? We're looking for our next Scots writer of the year.
Stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes. Open to Scots writers aged 11-18. Enter by 21 June 2023.
Read more...
16 January 2023 (UK-German Connection)
Our meet-up group, Café Connect gives young people aged 14-18 the chance to get to know other young people through fun, interactive activities, and group discussions on current topics. Take part and make new friends, learn about the other culture, and practise (or even pick up) some German!
Read more...
16 January 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you between 16 and 17 years old and speak German with A1+ level or want to start learning German? Do you love playing football? The football camp in Germany combines both - daily training and German lessons. In addition you will make new friends from other countries and get to know Hamburg. Registration deadline is on 31.01.2023.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information.
Read more...
German Pupil Courses & German Scholarship Programme
16 January 2023 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection's German summer courses are back!
The German Pupil Courses and German Scholarships Programme will take place as in-person events again this year, after a 3-year (virtual) break. Applications will open on 25 January, and the deadline will be 1 March 2023.
More information about each option is available via the following links:
12 January 2023 (Institut français)
Since its launch in 2016 by the Institut français d’Ecosse, le Concours de la francophonie, a national school competition to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland enjoying French language, has been a great way of celebrating the international day of la francophonie.
Throughout the years, many schools across Scotland have taken part in the competition and we hope to receive great entries this year again!
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French. The theme of the competition this year is : “PLAY” - “JOUER” en français. Deadline extended to 31 January 2023.
Visit the Institut français website or see the attached flyer for more information.
Read more...
10 January 2023 (Sutton Trust)
Every year the Sutton Trust partners with a number of UK universities to run a series of Summer Schools in each location. With a wide range of subjects to choose from, the summer schools are designed to give pupils a taste of studying at university.
The Summer Schools are a fully immersive experience. You'll live as a student staying in accommodation overnight and meet other students from across the UK. We’ll cover the full costs of your travel, accommodation, food and activities at any partner university, not just one local to you.
If you're a student in Year 12, S5 in Scotland or Year 13 in Northern Ireland visit the website to find out more about the scheme, eligibility criteria and how to apply. Application deadline is 10 March 2023.
Read more...
10 January 2023 (UKLO)
UKLO is a language-analysis competition for all ages. We create linguistics puzzles and run competitions for school children to encourage a lifelong interest in the world’s languages. The highest scoring students proceed through a couple more rounds of testing and coaching before we present them for the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) where they compete against other countries.
The competition is offered at four levels of difficulty for KS2 – KS5, and provides Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, as well as participation certificates, at each level.
Interested in taking part? Visit the UKLO website to find out more and to register.
Read more...
9 January 2023 (SCILT/CISS)
You can now register interest to take part in our online National Qualification Mandarin classes with our GTCS Mandarin teachers.
Please see the flyer for more information, a teacher testimonial and the link to register your interest. If you cannot access the registration link through the flyer you can find the form here:
All the information is also available on the CISS website.
Read more...
15 December 2022 (British Council)
The British Council and QFI invite students to showcase their talents in the Arabic language at our 2023 Arabic Speaking Competition. The competition aims to:
- Raise the profile of Arabic as a modern world language
- Increase student’s motivation for learning Arabic
- Develop vocabulary and improve pronunciation and speaking skills
- Raise confidence for oral examinations
- Inspire students to discover more about Arab cultures
- To celebrate the skills of young people who are studying Arabic language
Students will participate virtually and be judged by a panel of fluent Arabic speakers.
Visit the British Council website for full guidance and to register participants by 16 January 2023.
Read more...
New issue of TECLA magazine and upcoming training opportunities
12 December 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
Please find below the information about a new issue of TECLA magazine (December 2022) and upcoming training opportunities for teachers of Spanish:
- Publications. New issue of the magazine TECLA with lots of ideas and resources for Spanish classes. FREE DOWNLOAD!!!
- Training opportunities. Have a look at the CPD opportunities we have prepared for the first half of 2023: online sessions, face-to-face training in different locations in the UK, and immersion breaks in Spain during the school holidays of February, April, and July. SAVE THE DATE!!!!:
- Next online workshop – Saturday 21 January (10:00): Jornada monográfica en línea sobre aspectos culturales en la enseñanza del español. Free registration.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
Spanish,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
Resources,
News from language & education organisations
12 December 2022 (UK-German Connection)
Keeping up connections between the UK and Germany remains as important as ever. To help keep school partnerships alive, UK-German Connection offers special partnership bursaries of £1,000.00 for you and your partner school.
Applications for the 2022-23 school partnership bursaries are now open until 31 January 2023.
Read more...
12 December 2022 (British Council)
The British Council’s English Language Assistants (ELA) programme is a major UK mobility initiative that offers paid teaching placements abroad, providing the perfect opportunity to travel, teach and gain invaluable experiences along the way.
Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are open until 1 February 2023.
Read more...
8 December 2022 (CISS)
The most recent CISS Newsletter is now available to view online.
You can read about events and projects that took place to celebrate 10 years of the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools plus all the amazing learning and teaching of Mandarin across the hubs and beyond.
Read more...
6 December 2022 (Education Scotland / e-Sgoil)
Learn Gaelic, Scotland’s oldest National Language, online with other students from across Scotland via e-Sgoil, working in partnership with UHI Outer Hebrides.
Courses Available: National 5 Gaelic Learners, Higher Gaelic Learners, National 5 Gaidhlig (fluent speakers), Higher Gaidhlig (fluent speakers).
Frequency: Twice weekly, draft timetable available but this can be flexible to some degree to meet the needs of Learners.
Format: Online lessons via Microsoft Teams.
Offered at both National 5 and Higher, and with courses designed by award-winning staff, Gaelic comes alive through regular, interactive, online lessons, and quality digital support materials.
Learning Gaelic opens doors to many things, including exciting career choices, further education, Scottish culture, history, geography, tourism and wellbeing. Now is your chance to become part of this rich and rewarding world.
The National 5 and Higher courses are designed to help develop skills and knowledge rapidly, getting even those learners with no Gaelic at the start of the course to a level of confidence and fluency quickly. Self-study and independent learning are important elements of the course but there is a wealth of support and resources at your fingertips.
You will meet and make friends with other young people from across Scotland.
This course may be most attractive to students with interests in languages, traditional music, outdoor activities, the media, citizenship, history, or indeed any subject matter.
Gabh an cothrom! Seize the opportunity!
Visit the website or register provisional interest here and someone will be in touch to discuss with you: https://forms.office.com/e/6gLdv307Y4
Read more...
6 December 2022 (Durham University)
The Centre for Foreign Language Study at Durham University has launched a competition to all UK learners of French, from Key Stage 4 to Higher Education.
The purpose of the contest is to provide an opportunity for learners of French to use the language creatively while promoting the study of French. In a digital age of short messages and tweets, we therefore want to invite participants to combine French, creativity and succinctness to design a slogan of their own on the themes of “le français: une nouvelle langue, une nouvelle culture, un nouveau monde”.
More information and full competition criteria can be found on the Durham University website. Submission deadline: 6 March 2023.
Read more...
1 December 2022 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages in Scotland, including the most recent round of Scottish Languages Employability Awards, our professional learning opportunities, motivating competitions and our support for newly arrived people from Ukraine. Find out how schools celebrated European Day of Languages 2022, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
1+2,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
1 December 2022 (SCILT)
Are you looking for ways to bring the festive season to your languages classroom?
SCILT have compiled a range of online resources for use with your learners, from interactive advent calendars and games, to festive facts and downloadable worksheets. Find out how Christmas is celebrated in France, Germany, Spain and many other places around the world!
Read more...
28 November 2022 (ECML)
The latest issue of the European Language Gazette has just been published.
The ECML's e-newsletter provides up-to-date news about the ECML (events, projects, resources) and other relevant sectors of the Council of Europe as well as of our partners. It focuses on national developments in the field of language education in the member states and beyond.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
HE,
All Languages,
Europe,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Policy,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
24 November 2022 (e-Sgoil)
A video resource has been produced which can be used by Gaelic Medium class teachers (Primary & Secondary) to facilitate conversations around the National Discussion. The video is designed to be a 'stop & start' activity where learners are encouraged to take time to think through how they would answer each of the 4 questions below:
- Nuair a tha thu a’ smaoineachadh mu dheidhinn ionnsachadh no foghlam tro mheadhan na Gaidhlig, de na faclan a tha a’ tighinn a-steach ort?
- Nam biodh cothrom agad sgoil ur a thoiseachadh, de na rudan a bhiodh cudthromach dhut? Carson?
- De bhiodh na chuideachadh dhut barrachd Gaidhlig a chleachdadh san sgoil? Carson?
- Nan robh agad ri recipe a sgriobhadh airson foghlam tro mheadhan na Gaidhlig anns an t-am ri teachd, de na coig rudan a dh’fheumadh a bhith ann?
The video is presented by Linda Macleod and is available on the e-Sgoil website.
Read more...
22 November 2022 (BBC)
Are you over 18, passionate about journalism and able to speak a second language? The BBC Future Voices programme is an exciting six-week journalism training scheme with BBC World Service Languages. Applicants should be available between January and February or March and April 2023.
Visit the BBC careers website for more information about the opportunity.
Read more...
15 November 2022 (French Film Festival)
Over 4500 school students and their teachers are already benefitting from free films and resources offered to all schools by the Festival in partnership with IF Cinema Institut français this autumn and you can too:
- All films and resources are completely free of charge
- Films for all ages
- Available to screen in your own classroom for one month
Visit the French Film Festival website to find out more and book your films.
Read more...
15 November 2022 (Institut français)
The French Pop Video Competition is a national competition organised by Francophonie UK in association with the Institut français du Royaume-Uni and supported by TV5Monde.
The competition encourages students to engage with French in a creative way. UK primary and secondary school students can work individually or in groups to create a song in French and shoot a video.
The deadline to submit entries is 1 May 2023.
Once videos have been received regional winners will be selected based on the quality of the lyrics and music, and the originality of video. Regional winners’ music videos will then enter the national competition. Winners of the national competition will be announced during the week of 21 June (World Music Day!).
Visit the competition website for more information and to register to take part.
Read more...
Concours de la Francophonie 2023
11 November 2022 (Institut français)
Institut français d’Ecosse is proud to announce its 2023 edition of Concours de la Francophonie, a school competition at national level aiming at developing communicative skills in French. The theme this year is 'PLAY' ('JOUER' in French) and there will be winners for each category : P1/P4 - P5/P7 - S1/S3 - S4/S6. Enter by 13 January 2023.
For more information see the attached flyer or contact : ife.francophonie@gmail.com
10 November 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
The annual celebration of books and reading across the country takes place 14–20 November. During Book Week, people of all ages and walks of life come together to share the joy of reading.
This year's stories have been shared on the Scottish Book Trust website and a handful of their favourites compiled in a free book. With the event focusing on 'Scotland's Stories' you'll find several told in Scots and Gaelic.
Visit the Book Week Scotland website to discover the events taking place across the week and activities and resources to help you get involved.
Read more...
8 November 2022 (British Council)
International Education Week is back!
From 14 to 18 November, we’re coming together to recognise the value of bringing the world into the classroom and celebrate international work happening in schools.
With this year’s International Education Week taking place during COP27 in Egypt – the UN’s global climate change conference, where world leaders will discuss the future of climate action – we’re focusing on collaborating for a cleaner, greener future.
As well as offering a range of opportunities to help you and your students take positive action for a greener tomorrow, we’re also showcasing our favourite classroom resources, to help you get started on your international journey.
Join the free webinar Education Exchange: embedding climate education across the whole curriculum taking place on 16 November which will explore the practice of teachers who are embedding climate education across their whole school curriculum and into some of the harder-to-reach subjects.
Visit the British Council website for more information and to register for the webinar.
Read more...
4 November 2022 (University of Strathclyde)
The School of Education in the University of Strathclyde have developed two new modules as part of the MEd Education Studies course that may be of particular interest to languages practitioners (EYs, primary, secondary MFL, FE, EAL/ESOL, Gaelic).
- Multilingual and Multicultural Education: Policy, Theory and Practice (commencing Jan 2023)
This module is designed to develop your knowledge of multilingual and multicultural contexts within education and wider society. This module will equip you with core skills for language learning and teaching and consider the role of intercultural education. You will extend your confidence in language teaching approaches within and across the curriculum. This class will encourage you to be reflective and adaptive in your practice.
- Enacting Social Justice in Language Learning and Teaching (commencing April 2023)
As languages educators, how can we achieve the goal of prioritising equity, diversity, and inclusion in the languages classroom? Using theory, research and examples of innovative approaches for promoting social justice, this module is aimed at language educators in all sectors and is designed to develop your knowledge of a range of contemporary issues in language education. This module aims to develop critical thinking and reflection and consider how these impact on social justice pedagogy and agency for social change.
More information can be found in the attached flyer or visit the University of Strathclyde website.
Read more...
Places available - Moving forward with languages: workshops for Higher and Advanced Higher learners
2 November 2022 (SCILT / University partners)
SCILT, together with languages departments from universities across Scotland, have teamed up to present this unique series of workshops during term one of the 2022-23 session.
Suitable for pupils studying any language at Higher or Advanced Higher level, learners will get tips, encouragement and support from lecturers which will help with course preparation now, and focus on the future by finding out what it’s like studying languages at university level.
There are still places available on the two remaining workshops:
Registration is open via the links above, each workshop covers a different topic so learners may sign up for as many workshops as they wish. The workshops will take place online via Zoom and will not be recorded.
Please note that, due to SCILT’s funding conditions, priority is given to pupils attending state schools. If you do not attend a state school please email scilt@strath.ac.uk to enquire about places.
31 October 2022 (SQA)
The SQA has now published this year's course reports for AH Gaelic (Learners), German and Spanish.
These can be found on the Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage within the Course Reports section.
Read more...
27 October 2022 (SCILT)
Following on from the Languages and Your Career workshop offered by SCILT in conjunction with eSgoil last year, this year we are offering a series of sessions over six weeks focusing on different languages and how they are used in the workplace. After a first general session, the remaining five weeks will explore how a different language each week can contribute to success in a range of jobs and career paths. These will be interactive online workshops featuring input from people working with the language of focus each week. The sessions aim to introduce learners to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work.
These workshops are all stand-alone; schools can sign up for the individual session(s) most relevant to their context. Schools can sign up for as many or as few as they wish!
Sessions take place on Microsoft Teams in Glow.
Session 1: Languages and Your Career - Tues 1 Nov 2-3pm
This session will introduce the importance of languages in the workplace. We will look at stereotypes of careers involving languages, pathways using languages and examples of successful businesses/sectors which use languages regularly.
Session 2: French and Your Career - Wed 9 Nov 2-3pm
Session 3: Spanish and Your Career - Thurs 17 Nov 2-3pm
Session 4: German and Your Career - Tues 22 Nov 2-3pm
Session 5: Gaelic and Your Career - Wed 30 Nov 2-3pm
Session 6: Other Languages and Your Career - Thurs 8 Dec 2-3pm
This session will include other most commonly taught and/or certificated languages in schools, particularly Italian, Mandarin and Arabic.
For details of how to register, please go to the eSgoil website.
Read more...
25 October 2022 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival 2022 Learning Programme, offering a selection of films for schools free of charge, is now live!
Check out and download the programme of films for all ages. The programme runs until Christmas.
Simply choose your titles, complete the booking form, then create your account to have free access to all the films and learning packs that go with them.
For more information contact schools@frenchfilmfestival.org.uk or visit the French Film Festival website.
Read more...
20 October 2022 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers a range of grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups in the UK and Germany.
The next deadline for their Flexible Funding Scheme is 31 October 2022.
Visit the website for more information and to submit your application.
Read more...
20 October 2022 (King's College London)
The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at King’s College London is delighted to announce this year’s German writing competition for students in Year 12 or 13 (S5 or S6 in Scotland).
The competition invites students to submit an original piece of writing in German on the topic 'Wie bewältigen wir die Klimakrise?'
Entries should be 400-450 words in length and written in German.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 23 November 2022.
Read more...
20 October 2022 (SQA)
SQA has now published the 2022 Advanced Higher Italian course report.
Visit the Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage for more information.
Read more...
11 October 2022 (e-Sgoil)
Following last year's 'Languages and your career' workshop, e-Sgoil in partnership with SCILT will be hosting a series of sessions over six weeks from the end of October through to early December 2022.
Schools can sign up for as many or as few as they wish; after a first general session, the remaining five weeks will explore how a different language each week can contribute to success in a range of jobs and career paths. These will be interactive workshops featuring input from people working with the language of focus each week. These sessions aim to introduce learners (S2-S4) to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work.
Visit the e-Sgoil website for more information and to register interest in the sessions.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Careers,
Language Learning for Work,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic
AMOPA: Parlons français - A competition for students of AH French
11 October 2022 (AMOPA)
Now that school life is back to a “new normal” AMOPA is once again running the Parlons français competition.
“It must be the easiest competition ever to take part in!” That’s a quote from a teacher and it’s true!
All we need is a short recording of students as they prepare for their speaking test. We will assess it and give everyone some feedback. We also award prizes and certificates.
We hope that taking part supports your pupils’ learning and exam preparation and is not a distraction. They are practising anyway – why not let them get some feedback on that?
As in previous years we will have prizes for the best entries, a certificate for every entrant and a gift for each school taking part too. In the last few years all schools were given a DVD of a French film.
More information is available in the attached pdf document. Entry deadline: 15 February 2023.
7 October 2022 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our winter 2022 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This is a chance to showcase innovative projects, language learning celebrations or initiatives which took place towards the end of last session or so far in the 2022/23 session.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 21st October 2022.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
FilmG competitions 2022
6 October 2022 (FilmG)
FilmG is an annual Gaelic short film festival which aims to foster and develop new talent for Gaelic media. Now in its 15th edition, the FilmG festival is this year offering two competitions, both focusing on this year's theme 'Buidhe (Yellow)'. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
3 October 2022 (Queen's College Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators competition aims to promote language learning across the UK and to inspire creativity in the classroom. By providing teachers with tools to bring translation to life, and to introduce more authentic texts into the classroom, we hope to motivate more pupils to study modern foreign languages throughout their schooling and beyond.
Schools can register interest in the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2022-23. You will receive creative translation resources for five languages (French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish) and competition tasks. The resources will be made available in September 2022, January 2023, February 2023, and the competition window will be open from mid-February until the end of March 2023.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
3 October 2022 (Queen's College Oxford)
All learners of Modern Languages at UK schools in Years 11-13 / Scotland: S4-6 are welcome to join Queen's College Oxford's International Book Club, which takes place on Zoom.
The International Book Club for schools is a chance for you to explore foreign-language books which have been translated into English with other like-minded, literature-loving students. No knowledge of the original language is required to take part!
For those of you thinking you may like to study languages at university, there will also be a chance to hear more about what this would entail and to ask us your questions.
To take part in the Book Club, you will need to read a copy of the set book in advance of the session. The next session takes place Wednesday 30 November 2022.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
30 September 2022 (DCA)
Discovery Film Festival, Scotland’s international film festival for young audiences, is back for its 19th year, Sat 22 October to Sun 6 November. There's another packed programme of the best new films for young audiences from around the world - and once again the festival will be available both online and at Dundee Contemporary Arts.
Visit the website for full details.
Read more...
29 September 2022 (SCILT)
A reminder that schools interested in taking part in this year’s MTOT competition have until 6 October (National Poetry Day) to register. The competition provides a great opportunity for all pupils in Scotland P1-S6 to get creative with a language they speak at home (Mother Tongue) or are learning at school (Other Tongue). Students can even enter in both categories!
Read more...
26 September 2022 (Oxford German Network)
The Oxford German Olympiad 2023 is now open for entries! It was launched 26 September 2022, the European Day of Languages.
This year's topic: KOCHKUNST - BACKLUST - ESSKULTUR (The Art of Cooking, Joy of Baking and Culture of Eating).
The competition is open to primary and secondary learners of German, with further categories for group or class entries as well as those with no prior experience of studying the language. So there's something for everyone!
Visit the Oxford German Olympiad website for full competition details and guidelines. Closing date for all entries is Thursday 9 March 2023, at 12 noon.
Read more...
The Language Ambassadors Programme
23 September 2022 (University of Strathclyde/SCILT)
The Language Ambassadors family has grown!
For 2022-2023, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Stirling will be working together to offer an even greater variety for our visits.
In the coming session, we will be back offering on-site visits, as well as virtual visits.
So, get your learners to discover the joys of learning and being able to use another language by organising a Language Ambassadors visit to your school!
Our Language Ambassadors are students of French, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish, on a range of degree programmes. These include BA Honours in French and Spanish, Professional Education and Languages, International Business and a Modern Language, Law and a Language, Psychology and a European Language, but also Engineering and Science degrees and they are keen to share their experiences of learning and using their languages as well as discovering new cultures.
This programme provides student role models to promote languages to young people and encourage your learners to choose languages as part of their high school curriculum. It is free of charge but we expect the school to cover travelling expenses for ambassadors.
We can deliver a range of activities, such as:
- A presentation about their experiences as university language learners and their experiences abroad;
- Q&A sessions about the benefits of studying a language for future study and/or employability;
- A small group discussion for Senior phase students who have already selected a language;
- Micro-presentations as part of a school-wide event
Visit the Language Ambassadors Programme website to find out more, and how to book a visit for your school starting October 2022.
If you have any questions about The Language Ambassadors programme, please contact Cédric Moreau and Cristina Johnston.
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Ambassadors,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
22 September 2022 (SQA)
The SQA has published this year's course reports for Advanced Higher French and Advanced Higher Chinese languages.
These can be found on the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage under Course Reports.
Read more...
Immersion courses in Spain for teachers
22 September 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
Any plans for the Autumn half-term break? Sign up and get a grant for one of the immersion courses in Spain. Full details regarding dates, course content, the grant and application form can be found by following the relevant course header link below:
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
HE,
Spanish,
CPD,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
20 September 2022 (SCILT)
Pupils considering furthering their language studies beyond secondary education will find a wealth of information on the Beyond School section of the SCILT website. The site contains listings of university and college language courses here in Scotland, links to UCAS and university guides UK-wide, as well as help and advice on study abroad options and volunteering overseas.
It's a useful resource for teachers and Careers Guidance staff to be aware of and highlight to students as the UCAS application process is now underway.
Read more...
9 September 2022 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society)
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, in partnership with SCILT, ran the second iteration of the Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize in 2022. This prize was established in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community.
Pupils from across Scotland took part in the competition, which provides a fantastic opportunity for AH French candidates to showcase their French writing skills in a national competition. The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize mirrors elements of the writing marking guidelines for AH French and offers pupils an opportunity to compete for a first-place prize of £500 and recognition on a national stage.
Candidates produced some very high quality essays. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held by Zoom on Tuesday 31 May 2022. A recording of this, along with a list of the winning entries, is now available on the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland website.
This session’s competition will be launched before Christmas and registration for schools will open in January 2023. For more information, please visit our webpage.
Read more...
8 September 2022 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers a wide range of initiatives for young people, schools and youth groups. The organisation aims to bring young people in the UK and Germany together through a range of grants, advisory services, networks and programmes – both face-to-face and digitally.
Follow the relevant link below to find out more about their current opportunities:
- Host a Teacher from Germany - enable primary and secondary pupils to gain an insight into German culture by hosting a teacher from Germany for 2-3 weeks next Spring.
- Funding - a range of grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups now open for applications.
- Café Connect - free virtual cultural exchange meetings giving young people aged 14-18 the chance to connect with UK and German peers through fun, interactive activities, group discussions on current topics and informal chat.
- Voyage Kids - a digital magazine for primary pupils to discover German language and culture.
Visit the UK-German Connection website for information on the full range of services available.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
CPD,
Cultural Diversity,
Funding,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
6 September 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
The September 2022 edition of TECLA, the magazine for teachers of Spanish, is now available online.
The electronic magazine has lots of ideas and resources for Spanish classes and is free to download!
Read more...
1 September 2022 (e-Sgoil)
Online study support sessions for learners in Scotland are again being offered by e-Sgoil. Registration for the autumn term evening webinars opens 5 September.
Visit the e-Sgoil website for details and sign-up information.
Read more...
Free online French Higher and Advanced Higher workshops funded by the Franco-Scottish Society starting at the end of September
1 September 2022 (Edinburgh College)
In collaboration with Franco-Scottish Society, Edinburgh College is again offering free online courses for Higher and Advanced Higher French pupils commencing September 2022.
See the relevant flyer below for full details:
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival: Schools programme
26 August 2022 (ESFF)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) is back with its 9th edition, and we want you all to get involved! We are once again providing our Schools Programme for students learning Spanish as a second language. We are really excited about the two films we are offering this year at our in-person screenings.
To take part in these exciting screenings, all the information you need is in the attached document.
26 August 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce the return of Mother Tongue Other Tongue, our multilingual poetry competition!
MTOT gives young people of all ages P1 – S6 the opportunity to showcase their language skills and creative talent. Over the years this competition has uncovered a wealth of talented young linguists: they have created songs, rhymes and poems that are unique, funny, clever, emotive and moving. Young people are asked to create an original poem/song/rap in a language other than English: this can be a language spoken at home, or a language they are learning at school. To enter, the poem should be recorded (audio or video) and sent to us along with a completed entry form.
Winning entries will receive a range of prizes, including the opportunity to have their poem included in the UK National Children’s Poetry Archive, as well as featuring in a dedicated episode of the international Kids Poetry Club podcast. This year we are highlighting the Ukrainian language, with a special prize on offer for entries from Ukrainian speakers.
Schools are invited to register interest by 6 October 2022 (National Poetry Day). Visit the MTOT webpage for more information.
We look forward to seeing another generation of young poets find their voice!
Read more...
26 August 2022 (SCILT / UCMLS)
SCILT is pleased to confirm the return of the Language Linking Global Thinking programme for the 2022-23 session. Applications are now open for schools wishing to register their interest in taking part this year.
The project links students on their year abroad with primary and secondary schools in Scotland. Students communicate with a designated class in their partner school during the course of the year to illustrate 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 the partner school using blog posts, emails and other resources. The correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language.
Key points for teachers
- Please note this is a two-way correspondence, and schools are expected to reply to blog posts, submit questions, and fully engage with their link student.
- Training will take place online, you will have the opportunity to learn more about successful links and to meet your link student virtually.
- Places are limited and you are not guaranteed a link partner. We will be able to confirm your place in October.
- There is no cost for schools to participate in the programme.
Visit the LLGT webpage for more information on Language Linking Global Thinking, and to read some of the student blogs from previous years.
To register please complete the form via the link below by Friday 16 September.
Read more...
Scotland’s 2020 future vision for language learning & the European 1+2 model 2025 goal
26 August 2022 (UHI)
University of Highlands and Islands is conducting interviews as part of a research study to increase understanding of what teaching methods students encounter.
As a teacher you are in an ideal position to give us valuable first–hand information about your preferred methods of teaching (e.g. how standardised/bespoke are they?). The lead researcher has a limited set of several questions to conduct an email interview at your convenience. Alternatively, MS Teams interviews will take around 15-20 minutes or so.
Your responses to the questions will be kept confidential. Each interview will be assigned a number code to help ensure that personal identifiers are not revealed during the analysis and write up of findings. There is no compensation for participating in this study. However, your participation will be a valuable addition to our research and findings could lead to better understanding of how to assist future government objectives.
The Scottish government response to Professor Muir’s final report and recommendations submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in February 2022 has been published; feedback and published responses updated 9 March 2022 include a few ongoing concerns about the uptake of foreign language learning.
The aim of this research is to consider nativist and constructivist approaches to language acquisition–specifically–a psychological component associated with cognition during natural language acquisition and how that might manifest in the classroom/teaching space. Consequently, the lead researcher wishes to ask foreign language teachers about the methods they employ as classroom conventions have changed over the last 40 years.
What is involved? Participation entails an interview via your choice of staggered emails, a phone interview or a video conference interview via MS Teams. The interviews entail several questions that should take half an hour. Experience so far indicates email interviews are convenient and provide more time for interviewees to think on and compose comprehensive answers.
Primarily, the research wishes to hear about your teaching methods and/or anything you feel is important to the future of foreign language learning in Scotland. If you wish to be involved further, interview will be completed from August to October 2022. These interviews will only be offered to consenting adults over the age of 18 who are practicing foreign language teachers.
There is no guarantee of any immediate benefit after taking part in this research.
If you are willing to participate please respond by email to Callum Train with your preferred method of interview. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Before commencing you will be provided with a four page participant information sheet that includes data protection details and further UHI contacts.
25 August 2022 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. Now in its 21st year, it aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. What is your school doing in 2022?
If you're looking for inspiration, SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. Perhaps creating a scavenger hunt, taking a virtual city tour, or designing languages stones? You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2022 blog. Upload a short description and some colourful photos or email scilt@strath.ac.uk.
If you're sharing your celebrations on Twitter tag @scottishcilt and use the hashtag #coeEDL to share your celebrations with schools across Europe!
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Cultural Diversity,
Europe,
Language Learning,
Language Skills,
Linguistic Diversity,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
23 August 2022 (SEET)
Our World, the languages and citizenship based filmmaking project for secondary school pupils, is now open for registration!
SEET staff are now offering a CLPL session for teachers to help them feel more confident in taking on Our World with their class. They also offer online school visits for schools who are interested in taking part. These are aimed at pupils participating in the project.
Visit the Our World website for full details.
Read more...
23 August 2022 (RZSS)
An exciting opportunity for senior students studying French or Mandarin to take part in this programme and to put their language skills into practice.
Two groups will be chosen, one studying French and one studying Mandarin, to create sound files and new resources for a programme called 'Stripy Tails'. Stripy Tails compares two different animals from two different countries and looks at two different languages. The ring-tailed lemurs from Madagascar and the red panda from China, linking French and Mandarin. Further details at beyondthepanda.org.uk If interested contact srobb@rzss.org.uk by 6 September 2022.
Read more...
Moving forward with languages: workshops for Higher and Advanced Higher learners
19 August 2022 (SCILT / University partners)
SCILT, together with languages departments from universities across Scotland, have teamed up to present this unique series of workshops during term one of the 2022-23 session.
Suitable for pupils studying any language at Higher or Advanced Higher level, learners will get tips, encouragement and support from lecturers which will help with course preparation now, and focus on the future by finding out what it’s like studying languages at university level.
Registration is now open via the links below, each workshop covers a different topic so learners may sign up for as many workshops as they wish:
The workshops will take place online via Zoom and will not be recorded.
Please note that, due to SCILT’s funding conditions, priority is given to pupils attending state schools. If you do not attend a state school please email scilt@strath.ac.uk to enquire about places.
18 August 2022 (Edinburgh College)
School pupils who find their chosen language qualification is not offered in their school can study their NQ language course online for free with Edinburgh College.
In collaboration with Franco-Scottish Society, the college is again offering free online courses for Higher and Advanced Higher French pupils commencing September 2022.
See the attached flyers for full details. Links are also available on the Beyond School Supporting Schools section of the SCILT website.
Read more...
18 August 2022 (Education Scotland)
e-Sgoil, in partnership with UHI Outer Hebrides, is offering N5 and Higher e-Learning for Gaelic (Learners). This flexible route into Gaelic Learning may be of interest to senior phase learners, in particular those in S6 with an interest in languages, culture or music. Further information can be found in the flyer below and by visiting e-Sgoil's website.
Read more...
18 August 2022 (ECML)
The European Day of Languages t-shirt contest is now open for submissions for the 2023 edition.
Send in your design/image/graphic by 31 December 2022 for your chance to have your layout on the official 2023 EDL T-Shirt! Bear in mind the design should be about languages, not countries, so avoid using flags or similar.
Visit the ECML website for full details.
Read more...
16 August 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT’s CLPL menu for the new session is available for bookings.
If you are looking for high quality professional learning related to languages pedagogy for groups of experienced colleagues, newly qualified or student teachers in your school, cluster, local authority or RIC, then look no further.
Note that open access workshops will be scheduled across the year for individual bookings. Find out more information about the first online and open access series of 2022-23.
Always interactive, SCILT menu workshops give you the opportunity to explore practice through exemplification and discussion with colleagues.
Primary
- Engaging parents with languages in the primary and early years
- Cultural contexts: an engaging approach to primary language learning
- Get multilingual with DYW in your primary classroom
- Active assessment in primary languages
- Multilingual approaches to primary pedagogy
Secondary
- Policy, planning and practice in BGE (in partnership with Education Scotland)
- Emerging contexts for language learning
- Tackling controversial issues in challenging times
- Talking and listening
- Using language skills across the curriculum
For more detail about the menu workshops and to book for a group follow the link below.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
1+2,
1+2,
Careers,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Policy,
Promoting Languages,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news,
Family learning
9 August 2022 (News Headlines UK)
The number of pupils studying modern languages, science and maths at higher level has fallen significantly, figures released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority show.
Only 505 students took higher German in 2022, compared to 780 students in 2020, while the number of students taking French and Spanish at higher level also fell significantly.
Around 3,165 students took Higher Level French in 2020, a number that dropped to 2,500 this year. A total of 2,900 students took Higher Level Spanish in 2020, a drop to 2,465 this year.
The reasons for the sharp drop in the number of students studying modern languages at higher level are not clear, but the question of the affordability of language teaching in schools has been addressed by Holyrood’s inquiry education committee before the pandemic.
Read more...
Related Links
SQA results: Huge drop in pupils taking Higher languages and sciences (The Herald, 9 August 2022) - Note, subscription required to access full article.
16 June 2022 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
Bòrd na Gàidhlig has set up this fund to support those currently working towards a career in Gaelic teaching or Gaelic-medium teachers looking to develop their professional skills.
This scheme is currently open for the 2022/23 academic year until 1 September 2022.
Visit the Bòrd na Gàidhlig website for more information about eligibility and how to apply.
Read more...
16 June 2022 (Stephen Spender Trust)
Following the successful launch of our brand new series of creative translation webinars for teachers at primary and secondary schools in 2022, and the extremely positive feedback received from participants, we are planning a new series of webinars in the coming school year 2022-23.
Visit the Stephen Spender Trust website to find out more about the webinars and to register interest in this professional development opportunity. The website also has resources designed to help teachers to integrate creative translation into their teaching.
Read more...
16 June 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scotland’s Young Makars is a creative writing project for young poets of secondary school age in Scotland. It aims to enable young people to write, understand and engage with poetry in a wide variety of styles and forms.
The project offers free online poetry workshops and mentoring, culminating in six young makars reading their work on stage at Stanza in March 2023.
Visit the Stanza website for more information and to register interest.
Read more...
15 June 2022 (The Times)
Politicians and education experts from across the spectrum have welcomed the final report of The Times Education Commission and said it made a case for change.
[..] The main recommendation of the year-long commission includes the introduction of a British Baccalaureate, an equally rigorous but broader qualification than A-levels including both academic and vocational routes or a combination of the two.
Pupils would take six subjects and the qualification would be based on the International Baccalaureate, an A-level alternative offered mainly in private schools, but customised for the UK. It could be adopted to replace the Highers qualification in Scotland as well as A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Read more...
9 June 2022 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation, with categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under) as well as an open category for adults. All entrants must be UK or Irish citizens or residents, or pupils at a British School overseas. Translate into English any poem from any language – ranging from Arabic to Uzbek, from Danish to Somali—and win cash prizes!
Spotlight prize
Our Spotlight Prize encourages young people to engage with community languages. Our focus for 2022 is Romanian.
Open for entries from 4 May until midnight on Friday 15 July, visit the competition website for more details on how to enter, to meet the judges, and to explore the different prize categories!
Read more...
Moving forward with languages: workshops for Higher and Advanced Higher learners
9 June 2022 (SCILT / University partners)
SCILT, together with languages departments from universities across Scotland, have teamed up to present this unique series of workshops during term one of the 2022-23 session.
Suitable for pupils studying any language at Higher or Advanced Higher level, learners will get tips, encouragement and support from lecturers which will help with course preparation now, and focus on the future by finding out what it’s like studying languages at university level.
Registrations will open in August 2022, in the meantime you can share the dates and topics with pupils below:
- Saturday 10 September: The University of Strathclyde team will help you to use news articles to brush up your translation techniques.
- Saturday 1 October: Join the University of Stirling team who will guide you through critical analysis of film – with a twist!
- Saturday 29 October: Let the University of Edinburgh team help you unravel the mysteries of grammar!
- Saturday 12 November: Want to expand your vocabulary? Then this workshop, led by the University of Glasgow team, is one for you.
- Saturday 26 November: The University of Aberdeen team will help you to develop your skills of critical analysis by working with images and build confidence in expressing your ideas in another language.
- Saturday 10 December: The University of Dundee will show you how to become a confident speaker by developing your confidence through presenting in another language.
Please also see attached flyer which can be distributed to pupils or colleagues.
University of Strathclyde MEd Education Studies - New languages modules
7 June 2022 (University of Strathclyde)
The School of Education in the University of Strathclyde has developed two new modules as part of the MEd Education Studies course that may be of particular interest to languages practitioners (EYs, primary, secondary MFL, FE, EAL/ESOL, Gaelic).
- Multilingual and Multicultural Education: Policy, Theory and Practice (commencing Jan 2023)
- Enacting Social Justice and Change in Language Learning and Teaching (commencing April 2023)
Practitioners who have already completed the SCILT professional learning courses (TELT and/or LLP) and have been awarded GTCS professional recognition, are eligible for accreditation of prior learning (20 Masters level credits for each course) towards gaining a full Masters degree. Likewise, teachers who have recently completed an ITE course at the University of Strathclyde may be eligible for further accreditation.
Further information about these modules and the course generally can be found in the attached information document. Details of the full suite of modules are in the attached MEd Education Studies Module Catalogue 2022-23.
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Qualifications,
Strathclyde University,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
7 June 2022 (Japan Foundation)
Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which promote Japanese language education in the UK.
Projects that fit into one of the four following categories are prioritised:
- Category 1 - Newly introducing Japanese into the curriculum
- Category 2 - Supporting GCSE or A-level courses
- Category 3 - Japanese clubs
- Category 4 - Projects that enable links between primary/secondary institutions and institutions of higher education
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information, application guidelines and forms.
Apply by 16 June 2022.
Read more...
31 May 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
The University of León and Mester Academy have organised a Spanish course aimed at British and Irish teachers interested in learning or improving their Spanish language skills.
The blended learning programme consists of 33 hours of self-study online from mid-June plus one week Spanish language course in León (Spain) in August 2022.
- ONLINE + ONSITE COURSE
- 3 DIFFERENT LEVELS: absolute beginners, beginners and intermediate
- A GRANT to cover most of the costs will be offered
- APPLICATION DEADLINE: 13 June
All information regarding dates, course content, the grant and the application form can be found on the Spanish Embassy Education Office website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Spanish,
CPD,
Funding,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
26 May 2022 (SCILT)
This term we are hosting a series of interactive seminars for secondary languages teachers, based on some of the main themes from our workshops this year, and covering some of the big questions that you might be asking about teaching languages today.
We now have just a few places remaining on Seminar 3: Teaching controversial issues. This session will feature the chance to hear from a guest speaker, and the opportunity to discuss and share with fellow teachers, and hopefully together to come up with some answers to the big questions!
- Seminar 3: Teaching controversial issues
4-5pm, Thursday 9 June
In this seminar we will look at how can we approach controversial issues such as gender, race, politics and climate in the context of language learning. We will explore strategies for tackling controversial issues safely and effectively in the languages classroom. Our guest in this session will be Lynne Jones of SCILT who will be sharing particularly around areas of gender and immigration.
Seminars are free to attend and are open to all secondary languages teachers and student teachers. The session will be hosted on MS Teams and will not be recorded.
Read more...
19 May 2022 (SCILT)
We have collated a range of materials to provide practitioners with useful information, including examples of practice across sectors, about engaging parents and families with language learning. This guide features a variety of reading materials, resources, and case studies to equip practitioners working in a variety of contexts with the tools to actively consider how to get parents and families engaged with their child’s language learning.
Read more...
S4-S6 language experience: French/Mandarin
18 May 2022 (RZSS)
An exciting opportunity for senior students studying French or Mandarin to take part in this programme and to put their language skills into practice. Two groups will be chosen, one studying French and one studying Mandarin, to create sound files and new resources for a programme called 'Stripy Tails'. Stripy Tails compares two different animals from two different countries and looks at two different languages: the ring-tailed lemurs from Madagascar and the red panda from China, linking French and Mandarin.
Musselburgh Grammar School took part in the 'Giants' programme over 2021-2022 which compared Spanish and Mandarin, looking at the giant anteater from South America and the giant panda from China. The students created sound files which are now on the Beyond the Panda website, under 'Giants'. In addition, they designed a fantastic game about a tour around Edinburgh Zoo - also available to download.
“This was a highly valuable and enjoyable experience for our Senior pupils. It was fantastic to give them an opportunity to put their language skills into practice and see how languages can benefit them in the world of work. Pupils loved using their language skills to learn about other countries, cultures and animals across the globe. This opportunity gave pupils the chance to work together as a team, gain experience of the world of work and combine what they are doing across a range of subjects. I have seen how much my pupils' confidence has increased from doing this, which has consequently increased in uptake as pupils who didn't think about a career in languages have found that it opens other doors.” Ms Coats, Musselburgh Grammar.
Excellent opportunity for an employability group. If you have a French or Mandarin group of students who would like to take part in this over 2022-2023, ask them to think of innovative ways to complete the following sentence: "We would like to take part in this opportunity because..." Any questions and replies email to Sandie Robb by the end of August 2022. Please state which language. For this year, only French and Mandarin will be considered. Judges will decide on the best answers and the chosen classes will be contacted in September 2022 with further details.
Anyone interested, please take a look at the 'Giants' programme as an example. The students would be expected to create the individual sound files (just as mp3 or mp4) and design one game resource. Design of all the games and activities incorporating the sound files along with the other resource materials are created by the RZSS Language Project Coordinator.
17 May 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
Any plans for this summer? Sign up for the Teaching and Culture course in León for Spanish Secondary School and University teachers.
We are offering grants for Secondary School and University teachers of Spanish to enrol in our course in León in collaboration with the University of León and Mester Academy during August 2022.
The course content includes a number of areas in relation to teaching Spanish as a foreign language along with cultural activities. There are three starting dates to choose from 31 July-6 August, from 7-13 August, or from 14-20 August 2022. This course will be delivered fully in Spanish therefore we recommend that teachers should have at least a B2 level.
Visit the Spanish Education office website for more information and to apply by 31 May 2022.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
HE,
Spanish,
CPD,
Funding,
Immersion,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
13 May 2022 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning opportunities, our motivating competitions and our online classes and events. Find out how schools celebrated Languages Week Scotland 2022, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
This edition also features a special article from Mandy Reeman-Clark, who reflects on 18 years at SCILT and CISS on the occasion of her retirement.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
1+2,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
9 May 2022 (Babel Magazine)
This year's competition for a young linguist to be published in Babel and win a year's subscription is now open!
Guidelines below:
- Deadline: Wednesday 31 August 2022
- Length: No more than 2,500 words
- Topic: Any topic to do with languages and linguistics – accessible and interesting for Babel readers
- Format: Word file
- Submission: Email to babelthelanguagemagazine@gmail.com
Examples of former winning entries can be found on the Babel website.
Read more...
9 May 2022 (Bilingualism Matters)
University of Edinburgh PhD candidate Mariel Deluna is investigating teacher perspectives on the relationship between “race”, language, ethnicity, and nationality.
All current Scottish secondary school language teachers are invited to participate in the study.
More information is available on the Bilingualism Matters website.
Read more...
6 May 2022 (TES)
Why are so many students choosing to drop modern foreign languages (MFL) at GCSE and A level?
It's a problem that Emma Marsden, a professor of foreign language education at the University of York, is determined to analyse, and ultimately, help to resolve.
The work has been ongoing for six years. In 2016, Marsden and a colleague, Dr Rachel Hawkes, contributed towards the MFL Pedagogy Review, which resulted in 15 recommendations to boost the quality of MFL in key stages 3 and 4, and the number of students opting to study languages throughout their time in school.
To ensure that these recommendations were achievable and effective in schools, in 2018, the Department of Education established the National Centre for Excellence for Language Pedagogy (NCELP), with Marsden and Hawkes as co-directors working with Dr Rowena Kasprowicz and Professor Suzanne Graham from the University of Reading, and Robert Woore from the University of Oxford, along with 18 specialist teachers and a network of 45 schools.
They had the task of ensuring that teachers were supported in understanding and delivering some of the pedagogical recommendations of the review.
Here, Marsden discusses NCELP's work, and what teachers can to do within their own classrooms to deliver quality MFL lessons and improve uptake.
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
4 May 2022 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation, with categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under) as well as an open category for adults. All entrants must be UK or Irish citizens or residents, or pupils at a British School overseas. Translate into English any poem from any language – ranging from Arabic to Uzbek, from Danish to Somali—and win cash prizes!
Open for entries from 4 May until midnight on Friday 15 July, visit the competition website for more details on how to enter, to meet the judges, and to explore the different prize categories!
Read more...
3 May 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
Do you have any exceptional S6 students of Spanish in your school? Why not nominate them for this year's Best Spanish Student in the UK award? There's still time to submit nominations as the deadline is 15 May 2022.
The award consists of a three-day trip (two nights) to Castilla y León for two people, including transport, accommodation and meals.
Visit the website to check the nomination criteria and submit nominees.
Read more...
3 May 2022 (Durham University)
UK learners of French, from National 5 upwards, are invited to invent a slogan in French on the themes of ‘le français et moi’ and ‘apprendre le français’. Make it catchy, concise and creative with an accompanying image.
Visit the Durham University website for more information and submit entries by 23 May 2022.
Read more...
UK-German connections
29 April 2022 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers a range of initiatives and support to help UK-German school partnerships thrive. Follow the appropriate link below to learn more about the opportunities available to schools and young people:
- Host a teacher from Germany - UK schools interested in hosting a teacher from Germany in 2022-23 can register now. Q&A webinars are also being offered during May and June for all UK schools interested in finding out more.
- Funding programmes - A range of grants are available for joint activities between schools and youth groups. Primary, secondary, FE colleges and youth groups can apply now.
- Still & Sparkling: UK-German Youth Newsletter - Written by young people, for young people, the newsletter is aimed at ages 14-25, and includes content in both English and German. The latest edition is now available online.
- Café Connect - Sessions are a great opportunity for 14-18 year-olds to practise their German and explore cultural topics with peers in the UK and Germany. Meetings are free to attend and give young people an informal and comfortable environment to make friends and develop linguistic and intercultural skills.
The organisation is keen to hear from young people about their views on the future of UK-German youth relations and invites young people aged 12-25 to complete a 'Have your say' survey. The survey closes on 24 June 2022.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
Cultural Diversity,
Funding,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
News from language & education organisations
29 April 2022 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that event materials are now available to view on our website, including video recordings from Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Keynote speaker, Bernardette Holmes MBE, Independent Languages Policy and Pedagogy Consultant and Plenary speaker, Louise Glen, Senior Education Officer at Education Scotland.
Video presentations taken from breakout discussions, including testimonials and speaker biographies are also available to view and will be of interest to the language teaching community and community-based organisations.
The event welcomed language leads, teachers and the wider languages community to share, celebrate and highlight the importance of valuing language skills and ensuring the rights of all children and young people to a language rich curriculum.
Read more...
The Big Question: SCILT secondary seminar series
29 April 2022 (SCILT)
This term we are hosting a series of interactive seminars for secondary languages teachers, based on some of the main themes from our workshops this year, and covering some of the big questions that you might be asking about teaching languages today.
Each session will feature the chance to hear from a guest practitioner, and the opportunity to discuss and share with fellow teachers, and hopefully together to come up with some answers to these questions!
Seminars are free to attend and are open to all secondary languages teachers and student teachers; attend as many or as few as you wish. Register for each seminar separately via the links below.
- Seminar 1: Employability and languages
4-5pm, Tuesday 17 May
In this seminar we will consider why and how to make meaningful connections between language learning and the Developing the Young Workforce agenda. Sarah Coats from Musselburgh Grammar School will be our guest in this session, sharing some of the work that she has been involved with in this area, which led to the school achieving the Scottish Languages Employability Award this year.
- Seminar 2: Encouraging uptake
4-5pm, Wednesday 25 May
Across Scotland, we are all facing the challenge of how to encourage learners to continue studying languages when faced with the choice. In this seminar we will have the chance to share ideas and strategies that we have tried or would like to try. France Reid from Dunblane High School will be our guest in this session, sharing the issues that they have faced and how they are seeking to address them.
- Seminar 3: Teaching controversial issues
4-5pm, Thursday 9 June
In this seminar we will look at how can we approach controversial issues such as gender, race, politics and climate in the context of language learning. We will explore strategies for tackling controversial issues safely and effectively in the languages classroom. Our guest in this session will be Lynne Jones of SCILT who will be sharing particularly around areas of gender and immigration.
- Seminar 4: Building confidence in talking
4-5pm, Wednesday 15 June
Talking is often the area of our subject that learners find most challenging and stressful. In this seminar we will discuss and share practical ideas and activities which help build learner confidence in talking in the target language. Lisa Hanna from SCILT, who is a Visiting Assessor for talking with SQA, will be our guest in this session.
The sessions will be hosted on MS Teams and will not be recorded.
We look forward to seeing you there!
21 April 2022 (SCILT)
The Scottish Languages Employability Award (SLEA) celebrates innovation by schools in promoting languages and employability together through partnerships with businesses, public bodies and third sector organisations. The award, which is available at bronze, silver and gold levels, supports teachers in raising awareness of the importance of languages in their school community.
The next deadline for submissions is Friday 20 May 2022.
In January 2022 Musselburgh Grammar School won a bronze award for their 'S3 Life with Languages' careers event. Read about their impressive submission, watch videos from previous winners and access the full award guidelines on our website.
Due to ongoing restrictions, online events and activities will be accepted as evidence towards the award.
If you have any questions about the award or the submission process please contact SCILT.
Read more...
21 April 2022 (Red Cross)
Would you like to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people?
We are offering 2 young people aged 18-30 the opportunity to volunteer for up to 6 months with the Portuguese Red Cross in Braga, Portugal. The estimated dates for the programme are 1 August 2022 – 31 January 2023.
The volunteers will be working in a range of projects, which will give them the chance to explore the different kind of social action that the Portuguese Red Cross undertake in Braga. This is a great opportunity to get involved in these projects and find out what you are interested in. Portuguese language skills are not required for this placement.
Visit the website for more details on the role and the projects available. Application deadline: 8 May 2022.
Read more...
19 April 2022 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers a safe space for young people aged 14-18 to participate in an online meet-up group, Café Connect, with the chance to get to know other young people through fun, interactive activities, and group discussions on current topics.
Taking place twice a month, these online meet-ups are a unique opportunity to exchange with other young people from the UK and Germany in a friendly atmosphere – on topics that interest you! You can join as many sessions as you like and you can get involved even if you don’t speak any German - Tuesday Cafés are mainly in English, whilst Thursday Cafés give learners of German the opportunity to practise speaking the language in an informal atmosphere.
Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and to register for a meeting.
Read more...
19 April 2022 (BBC)
Newsround's weekday bulletin is now accessible for people who use British Sign Language (BSL).
The programme will be fully signed, with an in-vision interpreter, each weekday starting from Tuesday 19 April.
It will be available to watch on the Newsround website from lunchtime every Monday to Friday, and will be remain online to watch at a time that suits you or your school.
Read more...
Writing projects and competitions
19 April 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
The Scottish Book Trust currently has open projects and competitions for aspiring writers! Follow the relevant link below to find out more about each one:
- Young Scots Writer of the Year Award - Open to ages 11-18. Writing should be in Scots, whether you write a story, poem, play, song or make a short video.
- Your Stories: Scotland's Stories - Category for under-16s as well as adults. Write about real life experiences. Entries can be in any form you like – a story, poem, comic strip, play, video, audio file, or letter. Entries welcome in Gaelic, Scots and English.
Both competitions have deadlines in June 2022.
If you need some inspiration, try some of the creative tasks on the StoryCon webpage. StoryCon is Scotland's biggest creative writing and illustration conference for young people which returned in March this year. Recordings of events are available online for a limited time.
5 April 2022 (SCILT)
We have collated resources to help support children and families arriving from Ukraine. We hope teachers will find these useful in welcoming young people and their parents into Scottish schools. Please share with your networks!
Read more...
1 April 2022 (SCILT)
We're delighted to announce the entries from all the finalists of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition can now be viewed on the SCILT website.
For the first time judges awarded some special commendations for entries which very narrowly missed making the final shortlist and we have some of these also available online.
We hope many of you will be inspired to take part when the 2022-23 edition launches in the Autumn!
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Linguistic Diversity,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
CISS NQ Mandarin offer 2022-2023
31 March 2022 (CISS)
CISS is happy to be able to share the first details of our offer of live-streamed Mandarin NQ classes for the upcoming 2022-2023 session. This will allow schools to expand their provision for Mandarin, particularly those who do not have access to a GTCS registered teacher of Mandarin and are therefore unable to offer NQ classes. The details in the attached document will allow these courses to be added to course choice forms. The offer consists of three courses: National 4, National 5, and Higher. The start date is tentatively scheduled for early to mid-June 2022.
Please see the attached document for further information and register your interest by Friday 8 April at this link: https://hass.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcG8IXkQ4ZLsTf
29 March 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
Any plans for this summer? Sign up for the Teaching and Culture course in Burgos for Spanish Secondary School and University teachers.
We are offering 100 grants for Secondary School and University teachers of Spanish to enrol in our course in Burgos in collaboration with the University of Burgos and Mester Academy during July 2022.
The course content includes a number of areas in relation to teaching Spanish as a foreign language along with cultural activities. There are three starting dates to choose from 3-9 July, from 10-16 July, or from 24-30 July 2022. This course will be delivered fully in Spanish therefore we recommend that teachers should have at least a B2 level.
For all information regarding the course and how to sign up can be found on the Consejería de Educación website.
Read more...
28 March 2022 (UK-German Connection)
UK-German Connection offers a range of grants to primary and secondary schools (including SEN schools), FE colleges and youth groups for UK-German activities.
They also offer school partnership bursaries to help schools maintain existing links with Germany.
Funding applications are now open! Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information on the grants available.
Read more...
25 March 2022 (SCILT/CISS)
State schools in Scotland can apply for funding to employ a Mandarin teacher. So if you are interested in introducing Mandarin as part of your Modern Languages curriculum and want to find out more join the information session on 28 March, details are on the attached flyer.
Applicants wishing to be considered for our new round of funding for GTCS registered teachers of Mandarin Chinese should complete the short form before 5pm, Monday 16 May 2022.
Read more...
Join Scotland’s National Languages Leadership Programme Team 2022-23!
25 March 2022 (SCILT/Education Scotland)
Applications are now open for critical friends to support and challenge participants as they progress through the 2022-23 programme.
Description
Scotland's National Languages Leadership Programme supports local authorities by building capacity to achieve a sustainable model for leading language learning and teaching for all.
The critical friend role is suitable for people who:
- have experience of the national languages leadership programme i.e. 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme (2017-2022) or the Train the Trainer Programme (2014-2016), or
- are experienced in supporting teacher professional learning either online or face-to-face, preferably at Masters level, and
- wish to help build the languages leadership capacity in all sectors of Scottish education
As an online programme, Scotland’s National Languages Leadership Programme offers participants the opportunity to engage with the most up-to-date information from Education Scotland and other agencies involved in the delivery of Scotland’s languages policy. The programme provides participants with professional learning and networking opportunities as well as flexible and personalised pathways through Masters level professional learning.
Objectives of the programme are for participants to develop:
- an appreciation of leadership skills
- critical and strategic reflection on their own leadership development
- an understanding of a range of key issues related to Scotland’s Languages policy
Professional learning and support will be offered to critical friends throughout the year.
For more information, visit the registration page to find out how you can apply to join the LLP team as a critical friend by Tuesday 17 May. A Glow account is required to take part.
If you have any questions about applying for this role, please email scilt@strath.ac.uk and include ‘LLP Critical Friend’ in the subject line.
Online language NQ courses for school pupils with Edinburgh College
25 March 2022 (Edinburgh College)
Edinburgh College offers a range of online NQ language courses. These can be accessed across Scotland and all Scottish school pupils qualify for a full fee waiver. The courses provide a great option for pupils whose schools may not currently offer the language course on their curriculum.
The following options are available, with German and Italian new additions this year at Advanced Higher level:
- Advanced Higher and Higher: French, German, Italian and Spanish
- National 5: French, German and Spanish
Exam arrangements: Though enrolled with Edinburgh College, pupils still sit their exams at their own school (including the Adv Higher speaking exam).
See the attached flyer for more information and how to enrol.
24 March 2022 (SCILT/Education Scotland)
Scotland's National Languages Leadership Programme supports local authorities by building capacity to achieve a sustainable model for leading language learning and teaching for all. Open to colleagues with 5 years' experience post probation or equivalent, who are interested in developing approaches to language learning and in implementing change in their own contexts, this might include: classroom teachers, principal teachers, heads of department, heads of faculty or languages lead practitioners.
This online programme is free of charge to state schools and offers participants the opportunity to engage with the most up-to-date information from Education Scotland and other agencies involved in the delivery of Scotland’s languages policy.
SCILT hosted an online information session on Tuesday 22 March. A recording of the session is now available to find out more about the programme and hear experiences of current participants.
Participants can visit the website for more information and to submit their application. Deadline date to submit applications is Monday 25 April.
Read more...
18 March 2022 (British Council)
This new collection of videos with accompanying pupil booklet aims to encourage secondary pupils to continue their language education or choose languages as an option.
Read more...
18 March 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has today launched their Community Campfires residencies project. It marks the 14th year of Scottish Book Trust's annual Your Stories campaign and four intensive story making residencies will take place in communities across Scotland via the Story Wagon. The residencies are supported by EventScotland as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.
The Story Wagon will tour: Garnock Valley, North Ayrshire; Greenock, Inverclyde; Lochgelly, Fife and the Western Isles, gathering real life stories from the public. Luke Winter, Navigation Officer of the Story Wagon, will be joined by a team of digital storytellers, filmmakers and podcasters producing content in English and Gaelic.
Visit the website for more information and tour dates from April to June 2022.
Read more...
14 March 2022 (German Embassy)
If you know a truly outstanding German language teacher at your primary or secondary school – make sure that their dedication and excellence get the recognition they deserve!
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in London is pleased to invite nominations for the annual German Teacher Award, now in its 19th successful year. The winners of the Award will be announced in summer, they will receive a personal prize and a certificate.
Please note that headteachers must nominate the German language teacher; unfortunately applications by German language teachers submitted by themselves and applications submitted by pupils cannot be accepted.
Visit the website for more information and submit nominations by 30 April 2022.
Read more...
8 March 2022 (Francophonie UK)
To celebrate the International Francophonie Day on Sunday 20 March 2022, the Francophonie Groupe UK is again launching the quiz Vive la Francophonie!
Every year this quiz allows thousands of people in the UK to test their knowledge on the Francophone world in a fun way. In 2022, a special focus will be given to France.
Open to all learners and speakers of French in the UK, including UK primary and secondary schools, the quiz will be available from Sunday 20 March 2022 to Friday 25 March 2022.
The quiz will be available in two categories:
- a school-aged appropriate version (30 questions for KS2 and KS3)
- a version for the general public (65 questions for KS4, KS5 and adults)
Two winners will be selected in each category after Friday 25 March 2022.
Register now to receive the quiz on 20 March and get onboard to try to win exciting prizes!
Read more...
7 March 2022 (ECML)
The latest edition of the ECML's Language Gazette is now available online.
Visit the ECML website to access.
Read more...
4 March 2022 (Migration in Education)
We invite pupils and teachers to participate in this exciting competition that explores how we teach and learn about migration — creatively and with empathy. We live in a world that sees many people on the move, and our pupils may have been part of these experiences themselves. In schools, migration may make the topic of creative projects and classroom activities — a unique opportunity for pupils to learn from each other and about each other.
Through this competition, we want to bring forward the best and most creative ideas on teaching and learning about migrations in Scottish schools. We would like to hear about your teaching activities/practices and/or activities that may enable conversations about migration in schools – from language learning, literature, history, to personal experiences. The competition aims to acknowledge and make visible the cultural and linguistic diversity of Scottish primary and secondary schools. The purpose of this competition is to explore how to raise awareness and learn about migration, and move conversations beyond narrow and often negative stereotypes. We advocate and understand migration as a multifaceted and omnipresent fact of life, and hope that the submissions for this competition will reflect this vision.
Visit the competition webpage for more information and submit entries by 25 April 2022.
Read more...
3 March 2022 (British Council)
Applications for Modern Language Assistants in 2022/23 are now open for schools, colleges and universities across the UK through the British Council website until 2 May 2022.
Building cultural capital with MFL
Join us on 16 March for our free webinar exploring how to maximise the potential of MFL to build cultural capital, develop learner confidence and improve exam results. Keep up to date with the conversation on Twitter with #CulturalCapitalMFL. Register here for the webinar.
How Language Assistants can make a difference
Bringing authentic voices into French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, German, Italian and Irish lessons allows students to see the relevance of these languages alongside their cultural context. What's more, in 2021, 92 per cent of host institutions told us their Language Assistants helped improve exam results. These cultural ambassadors enhance lessons and develop intercultural awareness. From speaking practice to fresh cultural insights, their input and encouragement enriches pupil experience, preparing them for future success.
Our dedicated team are well-equipped to support with the administrative steps and flexible hosting options are available with different placement lengths and sharing possibilities. Throughout the challenges of the past few years, Language Assistants have proved to be a key tool, and in some cases a ‘lifeline’, for continued pupil engagement with language learning. Back in the classroom, their expertise not only motivates pupils, but provides teachers with in-house professional development and refreshed linguistic materials.
Contact us
Please contact us at LanguageAssistants.UK@BritishCouncil.Org if you have any further questions.
Read more...
2 March 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
The Spanish Embassy Education Office is delighted to announce the call for nominations towards the Best Spanish student award 9th edition (for S6 students, in the case of Scotland).
If you have any students in your school who meet the criteria and that you would like to nominate for the award, check the information on the website.
The award consists of a three-day trip (two nights) to Castilla y León for two people, including transport, accommodation and meals.
Deadline for submitting nominations: 15th of May 2022.
Read more...
22 February 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
Any plans for the Easter holidays? Sign up for the Teaching and Culture course in Palencia for Spanish Secondary School and University teachers.
We are offering 30 grants for Secondary School and University teachers of Spanish to enrol in our course in Palencia in collaboration with the University of Valladolid, INTI and Mester Academy during the Easter holidays.
The course content includes a number of areas in relation to teaching Spanish as a foreign language along with cultural activities. There are two starting dates to choose from 3-8 or 10-15 April. This course will be delivered fully in Spanish therefore we recommend that teachers should have at least a B2 level.
For all information regarding the course and how to sign up, visit the Consejería de Educación website and apply by 4 March 2022.
Please note that this course is separate to the Spanish Language Course we will be running in Palencia with all places now filled.
Read more...
22 February 2022 (University of Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2022 is now open! Teachers from all over the UK can submit their students' translations of poetry, fiction and non-fiction in French, German, Italian [new!], Mandarin and Spanish, covering all year groups at secondary school from age 11 to 18. Submission deadline is 8 April 2022.
Visit the competition website for more information and to register interest.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
MTOT 2021-22 - Winners announced!
21 February 2022 (SCILT)
Our awards event to announce the winning entries from this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition was held online today, to coincide with International Mother Language Day. It was a great celebration of the languages being spoken and learned in Scotland and we're delighted to announce the winners and highly commended runners-up in each category as follows:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Simon Cronje
|
Netherlee PS
|
Afrikaans
|
|
Highly commended
|
Fabian Choromanski
|
Gallowhill PS
|
Polish
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Sabihah Tubasem
|
West Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lovelyn Asare
|
St Catherine’s PS
|
Italian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Sabina Rodrigues da Rosa
|
West Primary
|
Brazilian Portuguese
|
|
Highly commended
|
Tanazzal Shah
|
West Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Zamin Amjad Sheikh
|
Netherlee PS
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Melice Monga Lubengi
|
Lourdes Secondary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Marcel Zuk & Oskar Kolodziej
|
St Thomas of Aquin’s
|
Polish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Helen Joseph
|
Lourdes Secondary
|
Malaylam
|
|
Highly commended
|
Sarah Alradi
|
Craigmount High
|
Arabic
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Regina Wyllie
|
Loudoun Academy
|
Bulgarian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Camran Kouhy
|
Madras College
|
Farsi
|
|
Highly commended
|
Wiktoria Sapko
|
St Andrew’s Secondary
|
Polish
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Hayley Cowe
|
Westhill PS
|
Doric
|
|
Highly commended
|
P2 Class
|
Newcraighall PS
|
Spanish
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Lucia Conetta
|
Glasgow Academy
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Malaika Ali
|
Golfhill PS
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Grace Ross
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Deepak Kumaar
|
Craigmount High
|
French & German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Caitlin Fraser
|
Arran High
|
French
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Brooklynn Faichnie
|
Aboyne Academy
|
French, Spanish & Italian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Iona Kellas
|
Aboyne Academy
|
Latin
|
|
Highly commended
|
Charlotte Reynolds
|
Aboyne Academy
|
Russian
|
All pupils will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy as well as the opportunity for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward. This year also saw a special award sponsored by the Dictionaries of the Scots Language for entries in Scots, which was awarded to Hayley Cowe, our P1-P4 Other Tongue winner!
It is our intention to host each of these poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!