Nottingham City LEA
Spanish Language Training

The Development of the Project

Some students attending Nottingham City Schools experience extreme deprivation.  Achievement levels are low (but improving).  Some of our young people are extremely disadvantaged so our main priority is to raise achievement levels and ensure that young people feel included in society.

It was against this background that the Spanish language training package evolved as a strategy for providing the opportunity for teachers to gain the skills necessary to introduce Spanish into City schools and extend the range of opportunities available to the young people in our schools.  Meetings have taken place between the Nottingham Trent University and the Lifelong Learning Division of the LEA.

A teacher training package -Spanish language, cultural preparation and related training was agreed.  This is being delivered and accredited by Nottingham Trent University.  Information about the training activity was circulated to all city schools.

15 teachers and 3 learning support assistants expressed an interest in participating in the 2 year course, some already have curriculum links with Spanish schools.

In addition the Lifelong Learning Officer with responsibility for ID activities also participates.  This ensures quality assurance and develops competency for the officer when liasing with colleagues in Spain involved in initiatives, with city schools.

Course participants attended an introductory meeting on 20.10.99 at the Sandfield Centre.  There was much enthusiasm and commitment.  The meeting was also attended by representatives from the University.

The course started on 04.11.99 at the Clifton sit e of Nottingham Trent University.

This local initiative formed part of the bid made by Jenny Knowles (Assistant Director of Education Lifelong Learning Team) to CILT to become involved in the DfEE initiative to promote and develop the provision and quality of the learning of Modern Foreign Languages in the primary sector.

The development department of Nottingham City Council have also contributed financially to the development of the initiative.

The training is now in full swing and although four participants have had to withdraw due to other school commitments, we are making good process!

The course will last for 2 years and takes place every Thursday evening from 5-7pm.  Obviously, it is not easy to be alert and receptive all the time after a long day in the classroom and near to the end of the week.  However, the participants are always in good spirits and keen to improve their Spanish language skills...myself included!  Participation in the course has raised some interesting issues.  Teaching methodology is regularly discussed during the sessions.There have been suggestions of how modern foreign language awareness can be integrated into the literacy hour.  Teachers have commented how they are reliving the learning experience and have a better understanding of their pupils anxieties, frustrations etc!!

It is interesting to note that students participating in an accelerated Spanish course for 5 hours per week did not perform so well in their first assessment as our group only receiving 2 hours training.       

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