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Language Training for Educators
Start date: Jun 1, 2015, End date: May 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Context / Background Important changes have been being implemented in languages education in Scotland. We have the “Curriculum for Excellence”, the new “1+2” approach and a range of new/revised qualifications, including National 4/5 and the new Higher and Advanced Higher. Curriculum for Excellence emphasises developing students to be Successful Learners; Confident Individuals; Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors, as well as highlighting global citizenship. The 1+2 approach is a pledge to secure wider languages learning for all Scottish pupils. The new qualifications emphasise the new need for pupils to reflect on the advantages of learning languages. There is an enhanced European/Citizenship dimension, coupled with a more relevant, career languages approach. Realia, real contacts and new technologies are emphasised. Languages teachers are required to use the target language in lessons far more than previously and to have more up-to-date experience and awareness of developments in the foreign language country. Teachers are required, with the move away from text books, to be able to plan and develop many new kinds of resources in a more evolving manner, with emphasis on real materials and new ICT. In Eastwood High School, languages are gaining even more prominence as the school undertakes to meet these new requirements. Spanish is becoming ever more popular and this has implications for curricular choices and for staff training. Objectives Malaga Immersion Course (FM) aims: to enhance my ability to teach Spanish, adopting the above new changes and requirements, with enhanced linguistic and cultural skills and more up-to-date teaching methods and resources. I aim to contribute to Eastwood High School’s successful implementation of all of the above important changes and requirements. Exchange with Cordoba aims: We aim for our students to experience Spanish life and culture - and to develop: enhanced linguistic skills for their future work lives; potentially lasting links and friendships with Spanish citizens and a wider sense of their own global and European citizenship values. Number and Profile of Participants Applying to travel for the 3-week Spanish immersion course: 1 (Fiona Malcolm) Involved directly in Spain-Scotland Exchange Visit Planned June 2015: 70 Impacted on more widely from exchange visit planned June 2015: potentially 1000+ Impacted on from wider exchange (using ICT etc.): potentially 2000+ Activities 1. 2014 onwards: Exchange using new technologies between students from Córdoba and from Eastwood High School 2. April 2015: Colleague in Córdoba visiting Scotland and meeting Fiona Malcolm 3. April 2015: Fiona Malcolm visiting Benalmádena on (last minute bargain just booked) family holiday - plan to visit Córdoba and Malaga; meeting Córdoba colleague(s) and visit school if possible 4. June 2015: Visit to Scotland from Córdoba – 30 students and 3+ members of staff travelling. 30 students to be paired with students from EHS. Joint tour of Glasgow; reception and Spanish/Scottish cultural events in Eastwood High School; Córdoba students attending the EHS school show ("High School Musical"); Córdoba students attending classes with their EHS counterparts; This visit will emphasise cross-cultural communication and discussion; friendship and building lasting links. 5. ******July 2015: Fiona Malcolm to attend 3-week-long Immersion Course in Malaga, Spain.**** 6. August 2015 onwards: Fiona Malcolm to disseminate resources, ideas, approaches and experiences gained to EHS colleagues and more widely within East Renfrewshire at In-Service Event (as well as on tess resources, social media languages teacher groups, etc. if permitted by course provider) 7. 2015-16 Return visit from EHS to Córdoba 8. 2015-16 onwards: continued links through new technologies... possibly wider projects/links as Cordoba school has links with schools in five EU countries... Methodology Methodology emphasising: use of the Target Language (Immersion Course for Fiona Malcolm and increasingly in languages teaching in Eastwood High School); real links between Spain and Scotland; making full use of new technologies such as blog and podcast exchanges; enhanced European, global and citizenship dimension; creating new resources; use of realia; enhanced prominence of careers relevant language and communication skills. Results and Impact Envisaged/ Potential Longer Term Benefits Benefits for teaching and learning; linguistic skills and cross-cultural awareness and career mobility prospects for all students and teachers involved; lasting friendships and beneficial links.
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