Bristol Regional Support Group

Coordinator: Sally Benwell, Bristol Education Centre, Sheridan Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 0PU
Tel: 0117 903 1383 
Email: sally.benwell@bristol.gov.uk

Regular sessions are held at different venues around Bristol, BANES and North East Somerset.

Bristol Regional Consultative Group is a networking and discussion group for RSGs based in Bristol, North Somerset, BANES and South Gloucestershire.

Regional Support Group sessions

Session 1: Thursday 19 October 2006
Title: Using Foreign Language Assistants in the primary classroom: a training and information session
Speaker(s): Vivienne May, British Council
Venue: University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education (GSoE), 35, Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol

Disappointing attendance at this excellent meeting but as Viv May remarked, those who did come (8) were very keen. The meeting took the form of an informal talk highlighting the benefits of using FLAs, using some pair work, lots of interactive discussion and an excellent video of a Chinese FLA at work. Lots of info given on how to apply too. A valuable and informative session.

Session 2: Thursday 23 November 2006
Title: Christmas Fun Around the World – A workshop session with an emphasis on demonstrations of lively seasonal activities to promote cultural awareness
Speaker(s): Paul Sullivan (Horizon Wimba)
Venue: University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education (GSoE), 35, Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol

This was a well attended (20) and very well received session. It started with a presentation on a ‘Virtual Learning Environment’ by Paul Sullivan (Horizon Wimba), followed by a presentation by three leading teachers from Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. This presentation included cultural activities, games and reading activities. A lot of the presentation was done on PowerPoint, which was then distributed to the group afterwards. Very enthusing, very lively hands-on activities.

Session 3: Thursday 8 February 2007
Title: Differentiation and Mixed Age ideas Workshop
Speaker(s): Sally Benwell, Bristol L.A.
Venue: University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education (GSoE), 35, Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol
Time: 16.00-18.00, refreshments from 15.45 pm

Sally commenced the session with a handout and resume of the work done by Joan Dickie on Mixed Age Group teaching, on differentiation by Task and by Outcome, and Building Learning Power, Core Language structures, and Common Units. This led into a discussion among the small group present of individual practice in terms of a) differentiation and b) mixed level teaching in PFL at KS1and 2. As most of the MFL teachers there had also taught at secondary, links with mixed level work at KS3 were also discussed. One of the outcomes was a focus on letting children choose which level they want to achieve (from Must Should Could), another was the importance of sharing resources and ideas – a number of very useful exchanges were made. Very positive learning, and a very good basis from which to attend Joan Dickie’s next session on Mixed Age at our RSG Primary FL Conference on Friday 30 March.

Second Bristol and region RSG/Comenius Southwest PFL CONFERENCE: Workshops at this whole day conference included Transition from KS2 to KS3, Use of ICT (including blogging and podcasts), Playground songs and games and many others!
Date: Friday 30 March 2007
Speaker(s): included both national figures and local talent, such as PFL Advisers & ASTs and Leading Teachers from Bristol, BANES, South Glos and North Somerset
Venue: University of the West of England, Frenchay, Bristol
Time: 9.30-3.30 (tbc)

Session 4: Thursday 3 May 2007
Title: Cross-curricular/topic-based approaches to PFL
Speaker(s): Ros Farrell, PFL Adviser to S Glos LA (tbc)
Venue: University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education (GSoE), 35, Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol
Time: 16.00-18.00, refreshments from 15.45

Session 5: Thursday 5 July 2007
Title: Preparation for the European Day of Languages - A workshop aimed at providing ideas and activities for the primary school for this annual event (September 2007)
Speaker(s):Primary FL Advisers and Leading Teachers from Bristol, BANES and North Somerset
Venue: University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education (GSoE), 35, Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol
Time: 16.00-18.00, refreshments from 15.45

NACELL Regional Support Groups are funded by the DfES and co-ordinated by CILT, the National Centre for Languages in support of the National Languages Strategy.