This conference, a collaboration between Network for Languages London and Language Acts and Worldmaking, focused on transitions between language learning and teaching from Primary to Higher Education, writes King's College London BA student Holly Henry.
This was the first time this conference was run in collaboration with Language Acts. The day focused mainly on collaborative teaching efforts between schools and universities, but the round table event at the end of the day opened a discussion as to how we can keep this conference running in following years.
After a
welcome speech by Professor Debra Kelly, the Keynote presentation was delivered
by Helen Myers from the Association
for Language Learning London and discussed constructive responses to the ongoing curriculum changes
which are happening across all Key Stages. Helen highlighted the importance of
extracurricular activities to encourage language learning, such as learning
through song, and from social and cultural events such as school exchanges. Her
research into the severe grading of Modern Languages was insightful and she
spoke of how networking can have constructive outcomes in solving these
problems.
The day
consisted of a wide selection of breakout sessions held by guest speakers, with
presentation sessions focusing on the three themes of Primary/Secondary
Transitions, Secondary curriculum changes and Secondary/University transitions.
One
breakout session held by Bernadette Clinton (Hackney Learning Trust), Raquel
Tola Rego (Parkwood Primary) and Marie Drucker-Allister (Petchey Academy,
Hackney), focused on practical ways in which London boroughs can make
primary/secondary transitions effective, and how Hackney has implemented
structures to support the transition of Spanish teaching.
Raquel explained her work with students from Parkwood Primary, and the enthusiasm the whole school has for Spanish classes. The school sends Year 5 students on an exchange trip to a town in Spain each year, which is subsidised for students through fundraising which everyone in the school gets involved with. This showed how cultural and social trips can be one of the most effective methods of language learning and engagement. She went on to describe a whole series of other extra-curricular methods of language learning, such as an Art project, a joint trip (with the Petchey Academy) to the Zorrilla exhibition, and even parent Spanish lessons. Marie Drucker-Allister then spoke about the collaborative work between both Parkwood and Petchey Academy. Young Language Leaders from year 7 embark on a 10 week course in which they teach students from years 5 and 6, helping them to develop their leadership skills and responsibility, whilst learning from each other in a team environment.
In a
second breakout session, Jesús Hernández González spoke about the
resource The Language Magician, explaining how teachers and students can use
this programme to develop their language learning. Teachers can easily see the
level their students are already at, whilst students enjoy what is essentially
a game – they do not see it as compulsory learning, but rather a fun challenge.
One final breakout session was led by Dr Jonathan Kasstan
(University of Westminster), and Dr Michelle Sheehan (Anglia Ruskin University),
and discussed the importance of Linguisitcs within Modern Foreign Language
learning. Their project, ‘Linguistics
in Modern Foreign Languages’, has worked with pilot groups to assess the
potential for the inclusion of linguistic topics in the Further Education MFL
curriculum. The project is concerned principally with taking drastic action to
address a crisis in MFL teaching and learning. The ultimate aim of this project
is to drive stronger uptake and results in MFL study, and to enthuse and better
prepare candidates for entry into MFL at university by bringing about a change
in the curriculum.
To end the
conference, a round table discussion was held by Debra Kelly, asking guests how
to move forwards with Network for Languages in order for conferences and events
such as this to happen in the future. Debra thanked Professor Catherine Boyle
for providing a space at Kings College London to hold this year’s event and a range of ideas were discussed, with regards
to the future of Network for Languages, such as a membership model, or working
as a collective with a rotating committee of 6 people. The importance of social
media pages and Facebook groups was highlighted, and Debra also suggested that
the mission of these events might be changed: to bring schools and universities
together.
Guests expressed their desire to revive the
teacher mentoring scheme, and most importantly, to keep this important
networking space alive.
Are you a languages teacher who wants to join the Network for Languages London mailing list? Email languageacts@kcl.ac.uk telling us what language and stage you teach and we'll keep you informed of our networking events.