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Birmingham Regional Support Group |
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Regular sessions are held at the Martineau Centre, Harborne, in Birmingham. Birmingham Regional Consultative Group is a networking and discussion group hosted by Birmingham Regional Support Group, which is also part of West Midlands RCG. Regional
Support Group sessions The first session of the new school year was held at the Martineau Centre in Harborne. Our focus was using songs and rhymes, and gave everyone chance to bring along their own ideas and materials, as well as to find some new ones to take back to school. Presentations were given by Sophie Bregent and Andrea Nicholas from Moseley School and Language College, Lisa Stevens from Whitehouse Common Primary, and Lynn Masters from Barr Beacon Language College, who brought along a video of children performing in a primary school which she supports. We were joined also by a representative from Little Tails of the Unexpected, who told us about these story-based materials, but we will have to wait for a future session to see them in action. The meeting resulted in good evaluations, and everyone appreciated the opportunities to take part in the lively songs and dances presented, in a range of languages. Attendance - 32 Session
2: Monday 27 November 2006 The focus of this meeting was preparations for the festive season. The main presentation was from Lisa Stevens who gave us activities in Spanish and French, and some useful information about relevant websites to visit. As we were ‘on-line’ other participants were able to share additional websites, and add some Italian and German. Everyone joined in the Christmas songs, whatever the language. We also played some games, such as a version of ‘Pictionary’, and trying out our miming techniques to convey which presents Santa was delivering. On the Saturday prior to this meeting, an Association for Language Learning WM meeting was treated to some activities prepared by Jim Fisher, Inspector with Staffordshire. We showed his powerpoint presentations and found out what ‘Dennis the Menace’ would like for Christmas – thanks Jim. All who attended were able to go back with plenty of ideas and materials to make the end of term fun for their pupils. Attendance - 15 Session
3: Tuesday
6 February 2007 The aim of this workshop was to show that teachers can create very simple activities using Powerpoint and an interactive whiteboard to teach languages. Powerpoint is a very easy tool to use and a good alternative to ready made softwares which are not always suited to the children’s abilities or do not cover the right topics. The advantage is that with Powerpoint, the slides can be duplicated and adapted according to levels and languages. They can easily be shared with colleagues and be put on the school network for everyone to access. Children like the clear, colourful and animated pictures and like coming up to the front to move text and pictures. Andrea demonstrated some fun activities that can be created with Powerpoint, from simple presentations of vocabulary to games to reinforce and revisit vocabulary. In the last part of the workshop people had the opportunity to create an activity using Powerpoint. The workshop was well attended with 24 people and was an enjoyable session. The feedback received was excellent. Session
4: Wednesday 28 March 2007 The fourth session this year was held at the Martineau Centre in Harborne, with 19 in attendance. Our focus was assessment and recording. Lisa Stevens (Whitehouse Common Primary) led off with a presentation about the European Languages Portfolio (Junior version) and how her pupils have responded to its use. Lynn Masters, (Barr Beacon Language College Walsall) provided very useful insights into how an adapted version of the ELP has been used with feeder schools. Liz Ellis (Bournville Junior School) talked about her experiences piloting the Languages Ladder, and how adaptable the Asset scheme can be. Evaluations were very positive, particularly concerning the ELP information, and confirmed the need for further sessions focusing on the issues surrounding assessment. Session
5: Wednesday
6 June 2007 This was our final session of the school year, and was attended by 11. Our theme was using story to support teaching and learning, and was led by Helen Leigh, Primary Consultant for Worcestershire LA. Helen’s presentation was excellent, giving us plenty of ideas, resources, websites, etc., and involving us throughout. Spelling out words by drawing letters in the air became extremely kinaesthetic, when it involved using right hand, left hand, head AND buttocks! All the activities were enjoyable and useful, and almost all could be used to support other subjects of the curriculum – especially literacy. As usual, regular attenders at the RSG brought along some ideas and materials too, which were also well received. Many thanks to Helen for leading this session – the very positive evaluations were fully deserved. Early Language Learning Regional Support Groups are funded by the DfES and co-ordinated by the National Advisory Centre on Early Language Learning in support of the National Languages Strategy.
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Coordinator: Rona Heald, Comenius West Midlands Regional
Manager. Contact: Denise Wilson or Wendy Hughes, Comenius West Midlands, Martineau Education Centre, Balden Road, Harborne, Birmingham B32 2EH