Senior Phase

Languages in the Senior Phase.

Our World

Our World logo depicted by the words Our World with the globe as letter O and film strip in the background

Our World is a national, inter-disciplinary competition for S1-S6 learners, previously run by the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) and now organised by SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages. It 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 and environmental education. The competition builds valuable employability skills such as team-working, creativity, organisation, communication, problem solving and much more.

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.

  • Project launch - 13 September
  • Teacher information session - 26 September
  • Storyboard submission deadline - 6 December

Phase 1: Research and development

September - December

Teams of 3-5 design a storyboard which outlines the film they propose to make. This year's films will explore the idea of global citizenship, must include the use of a language other than English, and should touch on the following theme:

There are 17 of these Goals, so please choose (at least) one to base your film on. Please see the Resources dropdown section below for learning and teaching ideas based on the SDGs.

Once the idea is finalised, teams send it to us in storyboard form. Storyboard templates are available for download in the Downloads dropdown section below, with guidance on storyboarding in the Tutorials section.

Storyboard submissions should be accompanied by an entry form which is also available in the Downloads section below.

All entries should be submitted to SCILT by Friday 6 December 2024.

Phase 2: Filmmaking workshop

February - March

The second phase of the project will be an all-day filmmaking workshop, where teams turn their storyboards into real films. Pupils will have the opportunity to work with media professionals and SCILT staff to produce and edit their films on the iPads provided. The films should reflect the original theme and include at least one language other than English. 

Phase 3: Premiere and awards ceremony

June

The third stage of Our World takes place in June after all the films are completed. All teams who made a film will be invited to attend a premiere and awards ceremony where they can showcase the films they have made. 

Support sessions

  • School information session - recording of an information session for teachers which will tell you all about the project, what’s involved and what’s changed this year.
  • Learner support video - includes information, tips, activities and video tutorials for learners to find out how to go about preparing their entry. This video can be played in class with learners and used to introduce the project and get them thinking about their entries.

Storyboarding

Here are YouTube video tutorials on creating a storyboard:

SDG learning and teaching resources

SCILT

Unicef/UNESCO
Scotdec
  • Issue to Action: Modern Languages - these materials provide an opportunity to learn common vocabulary in new contexts and consider global issues such as migration, Fairtrade and gender equality from different perspectives. 
  • Explore the Global Goals - 17 activities for secondary schools.
  • Future Focus - a film-focused resource bringing together short short and engaging films, with a focus on stimulating debate around a variety of global issues.
Education Scotland
Other providers
  • Commonwealth Class (British Council) - provides an overview of how the Commonwealth countries are uniting to tackle contemporary global issues, with a focus on young people.
  • The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for teachers (Oxfam) - guide to teaching the SDGs, with a few pointers on some practical applications of the SDGs in the classroom and further afield.
  • #Teach SDGs (Teach SDGs) - provides an overview of different teaching and learning methods relating to the SDGs. Their video resources may provide some inspiration for film ideas.

Film resources

Anti-racism resources

  • Show racism the red card - discussion points, teaching resources, and facts surrounding issues such as immigration, free speech, identity and racism in Britain.
  • The Red Card education hub - free access to resources and step-by-step, guided lessons and activities so that you can promote anti-racism among the young people you work with.

Comments from participating learners:

  • "I learned about teamwork and became more confident in speaking French."
  • “My favourite part was the team spirit and being able to highlight important issues.
  • "Storyboarding was the most interesting part - it required teamwork and patience."

Comments from participating teachers:

  • "Learners were really creative and did a lot of research on their own. They really led the project themselves."
  • "The confidence they gained in participating really played a part in motivating them to continue with languages."
  • "It was a fantastic opportunity, the pupils who took part absolutely loved it. I was impressed at all the skills they developed and to see them grow in confidence."
University of Strathclyde Education Scotland British Council Scotland The Scottish Government
SCILT - Scotlands National centre for Languages