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The Arabic immersion experience at Pilton Community College
'The British Council Arabic Immersion Course is suitable for any student who wants to learn the Arabic language whilst staying in the area where it is widely used. Students learn not only the language but the culture too and are able to use their new skills immediately within the community.' Sheryl Arnold, English Teacher and Deputy Head of Year 9.
'Awesome experience. I made some great friends'. Josh Glover
Context
Pilton Community College is a rural 11 – 16 comprehensive school in North Devon with 1400 mixed sex and ability students on role. Pupils have a good record of examination performance and a substantial proportion go on to further education. The school has Beacon Status and has also been awarded Artsmark Gold and Sportsmark Distinction. In 2003 the school was designated Specialist Language College and is keen to develop the international nature of its work. Recent pupil trips and exchanges include visits to Germany, France, Austria, Peru and Morocco. Staff exchanges have occurred between colleagues in the Sudan, USA and Australia. Apart from French and German, pupils can choose Russian, Arabic, Mandarin or Dutch as additional languages.
Key objectives
'It is an excellent experience for all participants: schools; students and teachers alike. The education it brings far exceeds learning just another language.' Sheryl Arnold, English Teacher and Deputy Head of Year 9.
To enable students to experience another way of life and a new language. To offer a foundation and a taster for further study of Arabic in years 10 and 11.
'I will definitely continue to learn the language next year. It's excellent.' Jessica Parkhouse
How the programme is organised
Pupils take part in the Oman Partnership school link and 26 opted to take part in the Immersion Course. Prior to embarking on this, a lot of ground work had to be prepared. Students had to learn a minimum of 10 hours of Arabic using the EurotalkNetlang system on the school computers at lunchtimes and they had to partake in evening Arabic classes with the peripatetic Egyptian teacher. In addition to this, they were also required to learn about Egypt as a country and culture.
In order for students going on the trip to get to know each other better, a pizza evening was organised which was an evening of games, fun and food which enabled students to bond and know more about their peers.
The issues on running the Arabic Immersion course are mainly concerned with funding. The cost of the course is quite high for parents to fund but in terms of value for money, the course is excellent. Student motivation is extremely strong at Pilton – they genuinely want to learn about their world and the languages and cultures within it. The continuation course in Arabic offered in years 10 and 11 requires clever timetabling.
'Fantastic. I hated the fact that it ended.' Samantha Baddick
Results/effect
'As a teacher, I have gained more than just the beginnings of a new language. I have gained friends in a new country and friends here too – one originally from Syria, one originally from Pakistan and one from Iraq originally – who’d have thought that we would have so much in common and become such firm friends?' Sheryl Arnold, English Teacher and Deputy Head of Year 9.
The impact on the learners has been exceptional. They have not only taken their first Arabic examinations, Asset Breakthrough level, (results will be available later in the year), but they have also gained a real reason to learn additional languages.
'Perhaps what is lovely to note here is that one of our Y9 students who took part in the Arabic Immersion Course is not exceptionally gifted at English. He has regular learning support lessons and it is fair to say that he struggles in all lessons. Whilst learning Arabic, his motivation towards ALL lessons and his attention span in all subjects increased dramatically. He became an extremely motivated learner and was exceptionally happy about this – so are we!' Sheryl Arnold, English Teacher and Deputy Head of Year 9.
As a result of the Arabic Immersion Course, the school has gained many varied and interesting contacts with other schools – both nationally and internationally. In addition to this, it has improved its status in the area by way of the publicity gained from the events they organise or that their students take part in.
Future developments
In the coming years, they hope to raise the profile of Arabic and offer the language to more and more interested students. Students who take Arabic as a language will study towards a further Asset languages qualification.
Author: Sheryl Arnold, English Teacher and Deputy Head of Year 9.
