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Events and Training

FREE Seminar for further and adult education teachers 3 October
A networking lunch followed by sessions on Teaching Grammar – a pleasure or a pain? by Pauline Swanton, Manager, Comenius Netword; Diplomas Update by
Sharon Czudak, 14-19 Language Teaching Adviser, CILT; Using the Electronic Whiteboard and opportunities for networking, updates and sharing ideas.

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 411 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

Ingredients and methods - a recipe for success 6 November
A one-day course that brings together lots of the fun and exciting ingredients of a primary French/Spanish lesson. The methodology (based on the 4Rs) necessary to incorporate these ideas into structured lesson planning, in order to ensure good pupil progress and participation, will be demonstrated and practised during the day. The afternoon session will give all delegates the opportunity to put this methodology into practice and to create some useful classroom resources to take away.

This course is aimed at Primary Language coordinators, classroom teachers and TAs who are looking for communicative language teaching ideas to improve their skills so that they can bring the best of current approaches into the primary classroom.

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 415 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

Language Learning Strategy and the Primary Curriculum 18 November
This one-day CILT course will consider how language learning strategies support learning across the primary curriculum. Run by Joe Brown and Helen Groothues, Language Teaching Advisers from CILT, this course will look at the role of learning strategies within the primary school and will see how language learning strategies link to learning strategies in other curriculum areas. It will address the Personalised Learning agenda and make links with the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages. Reference will also be made to current research on learning strategies.

The course aims to:

• make links between language learning strategies and the Personalised Learning Agenda
• look closely at LLS activities from the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages
• consider how language learning strategies dovetail with other learning strategies used in the  primary classroom
• discuss how the explicit teaching of language learning strategies can be beneficial for transition to secondary school

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 492 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

14-19 Diplomas seminar 20 November
Bob Thomas, CILT Language Teaching Adviser. This FREE session will:

• Give information on Diplomas generally and in particular on languages within ASL

• Give examples of current developing best practice

• Encourage colleagues to see ASL as an opportunity to raise the status of language learning and to meet external targets such as KS4 benchmarking

• Spell out the potential dangers for language learning inherent in missing this opportunity

• Encourage colleagues to make contact with the key players in their institutions and Consortia

• Equip colleagues with the information and arguments to make the case for languages in Diplomas

• Provide “next step” guidance and sources of support

• Encourage immediate action planning

• Set up local and virtual networking opportunities

For more information contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

Primary Conference:10 in a bed! 26 November
Ideas for 10-minute activities to embed languages throughout the week and enhance language lessons generally. The programme will be differentiated to include sessions aimed at specialist language practitioners as well as those with little experience of teaching languages. Presented by Local Authority Advisers, KS2 Consultants and with a Keynote Speaker from CILT, The National Centre for Languages.

This conference is open to Primary Head Teachers, MFL Subject Leaders/Co-ordinators, classroom teachers/TAs and anyone else interested in ways of introducing a language and culture element into the school curriculum. 

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 411 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

French for primary language improvement part 1 28 November
A repeat of the previously run programme, this session is designed for teachers new to teaching French in primary schools. The programme will present creative ideas to help teachers to integrate French into best primary practice. The focus will be primarily on practical methodology and language improvement which will include games and songs. The workshop will be pitched at those with little or no French and those with some confidence.

This workshop is aimed at Primary Language coordinators, classroom teachers and TAs looking for communicative language and teaching ideas to improve their skills to bring the best of current approaches to the primary classroom. For those who attended the session in February 2007 please do not book for this event.

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 414 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

Developing Reading and Writing Skills Across KS2 20 January 2009
Presented by Therese Comfort and Kati Szeless, CILT Language Teaching Advisers, this one-day course will provide delegates with ideas and activities to help them both deepen their understanding and develop their teaching of reading and writing to young learners of a new language. 

This course is intended for teachers of KS2, who are already involved in some language teaching.  The course is suitable for primary teachers teaching their own class, secondary or peripatetic teachers who support language teaching in primary schools, ASTs, primary links coordinators from secondary schools, primary languages coordinators and mentors in primary schools. Ideas to be explored:

• Why should reading and writing skills be taught to young learners?

• How can we help children to meet the KS2 Framework objectives for Literacy?

• What does progression look like in the teaching of reading and writing skills?

• How can reading and writing skills be extended?

• How can the teaching of reading and writing in primary languages link to the children’s general literacy development in the rest of the curriculum

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 495 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

Next steps in ICT for Primary Languages: Using ICT to enrich teaching and learning in the primary classroom 12 February 2009
This course will explore the many opportunities provided by ICT in the primary languages classroom, including the use of podcasts, blogs and wikis & digital recording equipment to inspire young language learners. The ‘hands-on’ part of this course will give teachers the chance to explore the technology and to develop their own ideas and resources. The course will focus on:

• effective use of ICT for interactive whole-class teaching

• using the internet for collaborative learning

• motivating activities using digital recording equipment

• the use of ICT for assessment

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 495 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

Developing Intercultural Understanding: Exploring activities to develop intercultural understanding in the primary school 19 March 2009
Presented by Therese Comfort & Helen Groothues, CILT Language Teaching Advisers, this one-day course to look in depth at the concept of Intercultural Understanding in the primary school. The course provides an opportunity for all involved in teaching primary languages to explore the learning objectives and teaching activities in the Key Stage 2 Framework for languages. The course will:

• consider how Intercultural Understanding enriches the primary curriculum
  explore cross-curricular opportunities

• demonstrate age-appropriate activities

• consider progression within the strand and making links abroad through the use of lively and interactive methodology, discussion and debate to arouse children’s curiosity about the lives of others, resources, including stories, songs, picture books

For more information, download the information and registration form (Word 495 KB) or contact Marie Stevenson at Comenius East or call 0845 196 2967.

Cambridgeshire Regional Support Group for Primary Languages 2008-09
Meetings are open to all primary and secondary colleagues involved in planning and delivering MFL in Key Stages 1 and 2. We offer practical ideas for MFL in the classroom, and provide opportunities to share ideas with colleagues. The broad theme for the meetings this year is embedding languages across the school week.  Please see below for dates, venues and termly topic.  There is no charge for attending these events.

To help our planning, please let the Comenius Centre know in advance if you will be attending a meeting. Tel: 0845 196 2967 or email: comenius@anglia.ac.uk. If you have any general questions, contact Mark Oliver tel: 01480 375 802