Primary Languages Direct ezine - Issue 2

Welcome to the Summer edition of Primary Languages Direct! Read on for our special focus on inclusion, along with a report on Ofsted inspections of primary languages.

Primary Languages News

Get ready for the European Day
of Languages!

European Day of Languages (EDL) on 26 September offers primary schools a wonderful opportunity to promote language learning, celebrate the diversity of languages spoken and even to launch the learning of a new language. EDL falls very early in the autumn term so now is the time to start preparing for the day.

- The CILT website offers resources, ideas, activities, competitions and quizzes, including the LinguaBat challenge
- Find out about using the Primary Languages website to support your EDL preparations. More
- Read about how one school in Warrington used EDL to get the whole school on board with primary languages. Find out more

CILT course abroad in Germany
CILT is offering a week-long course for teachers of German in primary schools, taking place in Schwäbisch Hall in southern Germany from 26 October – 1 November 2008. The course offers a lively mix of language classes and practical workshops designed to explore creative approaches to good teaching practice, along with an extensive cultural programme to ensure you will be totally immersed in the German lifestyle. You can apply for funding through the British Council to cover most of the costs of the course. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2008. Find out more

Part 3 of the KS2 Framework for Languages now available online
Part 3 of the Framework, which advises on key issues such as transition, progression and assessment, is now available to download in pdf format from the NACELL official documentation pages.

Primary languages in the media
The Independent reports that plans to get every young child speaking a foreign language are on track and the Evening Times reports on a partnership between Celtic football club and Glasgow city council to promote language learning across Glasgow.

Find out more about the CILT News Service.

Inspecting primary languages

Increasingly schools are aware that Ofsted inspections may take into account what language provision is on offer and what standards are being achieved. Here Pam Haezewindt HMI from Ofsted offers a timely insight into current policy and thinking in this area.

Find out more

Inclusion - "Languages For All"

"Primary languages have a valuable contribution to make to the Every Child Matters Agenda....it is important that ALL children are integrated into language lessons" - Part 3 of the KS2 Framework for Languages. In this section we explore how to support the three groups of children identified in the Framework with different learning needs.

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something: Supporting children with SEN

Learning a language is a multi-sensory experience of culture, music, enjoyment, awareness of others and distant places, and the magic of being able to communicate in many different ways. As such, it is the right of all children to be able to take part.

Carys Tew offers a wealth of ideas and advice on teaching languages to children with Special Educational Needs. Find out more

All children can enjoy languages lessons

Identifying and supporting linguistically able children

Children who are gifted in languages need strategies for learning and coping independently. Here, Steve Gibson from Plymouth reports on his work in school with Gifted and Talented language learners. Find out more

Involving children learning English as an additional language

Language lessons provide a valuable opportunity to draw on the considerable linguistic ability that many children who are learning English as an additional language already possess. Ann Rudge from Lincolnshire describes how the presence of EAL children in the classroom represents a great learning opportunity. Find out more

What you're doing

Take a look at the NACELL website to get a taste of exciting projects going on in schools around the country. New articles include an innovative cross-phase project in which secondary children teach and mentor primary pupils, and the account of a teaching assistant who developed her confidence to teach French across the whole of Key Stage 2 in her school.

Research

The public agree that an early start is the best way to encourage language learning, according to research carried out by the European Commission. Find out more

The UK’s first Early Primary Partial Immersion programme is an ‘outstanding success’ Find out more

PLUS: The hidden benefits of early bilingualism that could last well into old age. Find out more

Resources

Practical online resources that support potentially diverse audiences, in terms of language, age group, gender and ability. Find out more

Contributions

Thank you to all our contributors for this edition. We welcome contributions for future issues, please send your submissions to nigel.pearson@cilt.org.uk

If you have any feedback or ideas for future articles, information you'd like to see included in the ezine or indeed on our website, please email claire.cooper@cilt.org.uk

We reserve the right to edit items submitted. The views expressed in this ezine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect any view or policy of CILT.

Primary Languages Direct may be copied or printed for non-commercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged.

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