Continuing professional development conferences and events

The Polish Connection

This event is now full!

A one-day event organised jointly by CILT, the National Centre for Languages, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, London

Tuesday 31 October 2006, 10am - 5.30pm
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland 47 Portland Place, London W1 1JH

 

In association with

About the course

Since Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004, both primary and secondary schools in different parts of the UK have been receiving an unprecedented number of Polish pupils, and this has brought a corresponding increase in demand for support. At the same time, Polish has become Europe's 6th largest language, spoken by 10% of all European citizens.

The presence of Polish speakers in our schools represents a valuable resource, not only for the individuals themselves and their families, but for the wider society in terms of our capability in Slavonic languages and cultures. Yet the challenges for schools are considerable, particularly those in parts of the country not previously characterised by a multilingual population.

Format

This one-day seminar will bring together schools and local authorities with experience of Polish pupils to share good practice in relation to the following questions:

. How can primary and secondary schools best support the language development needs of Polish pupils and other plurilinguals?

. How can the whole school benefit from the cultural and linguistic resources these pupils bring?

Along with representatives of national organisations, participants will be asked to consider what further resources and support are needed, and to assess the outlook for the teaching of Polish more generally in UK schools.

Who this seminar is for:

Representatives from primary and secondary schools, local authorities and national organisations are warmly invited to attend this event to contribute from their own experience and to advise on the development of support.

Draft Programme outline

Arrival & registration
Ground Floor (10.00am)
• Tea & coffee available

Welcome
1st Floor (10.30am)
•Minister Counsellor Cezary Król, Polish Embassy
•Introduction to the Conference Isabella Moore, Director - CILT, The National Centre for Languages Samia Earle, National Specialism Coordinator - SSAT

DfES: The NLS & The Languages Ladder
1st Floor (10.45am)
•Lid King, National Director for Languages, DfES (TBC)
•The European Dimension: VALEUR Project Teresa Tinsley, Director of Communications, CILT, The National Centre for Languages

Refreshments
Ground Floor (11.30am)

Polish Children in English Schools
1st Floor (12.00pm)
Presented by representatives from:
•Primary School Mrs Anne Steele Arnett - St Mark's Church of England Junior School, Southampton
•Language College Chris Williams - A case study from Lincoln Christ Hospital School
•Local Authority Ms Janet McPhee - Children 's Services, Peterborough

Lunch
Ground Floor (1.00pm)

The Polish Education System
1st Floor (2.00pm)
•Representative from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland or Ministry of Education, Warsaw (TBC)

Discussion groups
Ground Floor and 1st Floor (2.30pm)

Feedback from discussion groups
1st Floor (3.30pm)

Presentation on the Global Gateway
1st Floor (3.50pm)
•Liz Hitchcock, Global Gateway Editor & Chief, British Council
•Information Point: TIPD at The Specialist and Academies Trust Samia Earle, National Specialism Coordinator - SSAT

Q&A session with Panel
1st Floor (4.15pm)

Drinks reception & networking
Ground Floor (4.30pm)

Close
Ground Floor (5.30pm)

Fee

The seminar is free of charge and lunch will be provided

How to apply

If you would like to attend, please contact Claire Cooper at CILT to request a booking form. Please note that you must return your form to us if you intend to attend as there are stringent security measures in place at the Polish Embassy. If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact Claire Cooper on 020 7379 5101 ext 287 or email claire.cooper@cilt.org.uk. Joining instructions and a map will be sent out shortly before the event.