Continuing professional development conferences and events

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French for the Primary School


Sunday 20 to Saturday 26 July 2008 or Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 August 2008
Lille, France

Are you a newly qualified teacher of French to primary school children?
Want to refresh your  knowledge of French society and culture?


French for the primary school offers a lively mix of language improvement classes and practical workshops designed to explore creative approaches to good teaching practice. As your linguistic fluency and confidence increase, you will be encouraged to exchange ideas and develop materials which will truly transform your teaching.
You will be based in tranquil surroundings at the Hotel Mercure Lille Metropole, within easy reach of the centre of Lille. There will be plenty of opportunities to explore the old town with its many unique and beautiful buildings, and enjoy the lively cultural scene on offer.

Course Tutors
Language teaching advisers from CILT, the National Centre for Languages and experienced native speakers from France.

Who is it for?
This one-week course is designed for teachers new to teaching French in primary schools.  The course 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.  As this course is very popular, we aim to run it twice in 2008, once in July & once in August.  You can choose which course dates suit you best.  We will aim to offer you your first choice in all cases.

The course will include:

  • Creative ideas to help integrate MFL into best primary practice.
  • Practical methodology to encourage children to communicate.
  • Exploring a variety of resources, both commercial and those which teachers already have in the classroom.
  • Active learning including songs, poems, finger and action rhymes, games and stories.
  • Using MFL to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing.
  • A programme of cultural visits to familiarise participants with the region of France.

Aims:

  • To improve participants’ competence and performance in French.
  • To improve methodological expertise in the teaching of French to young learners.
  • To collect and develop suitable authentic materials for teaching Frnech to young learners.
  • To update and improve knowledge of France and French culture.

Pre-requisite skills:
Teacher with a basic knowledge of French are encourage to apply for this course.  The moethodlogy sessions, delivered largely through the medium of English and using key French words and structures, will focus on techniques which will involve all pupils in learning through French.  Participants will be encouraged to speak French as much as possible in social situations and on the cultural excursions.
Applicants should have a basic knowledge of French equivalent to GCSE or O level. 

Registration:

  • Fill out the attached form to register your interest in attending this course – remembering to indicate whether you wish to attend the July or August course.
  • We will send you instructions on how to apply for a grant towards the cost of the course.
  • You send your completed grant application form to the British Council Education and Training Group as soon as possible.
  • You will be informed by the British Council ETG whether you have been awarded a grant.
  • You tell us if you have been awarded the grant by sending us a copy of the confirmation letter from the British Council ETG.
  • CILT will confirm your attendance on the course if a place is still available.

For more information and a registration form please contact CILT on 020 7379 5101 or email conferences@cilt.org.uk

Fee and grant
The fee for the course is Euros 1,500. You can apply for a grant through the Comenius Professional Development programme (managed by the British Council) to contribute to the course fee, subsistence and your travel.

The course fee covers:

  • course and tuition fees in Lille
  • accommodation and full board at the Hotel Mercure Lille Metropole
  • a programme of visits and cultural events
  • CILT Language Teaching Advisers to accompany you throughout the course

You or your institution will also need to pay for:

  • Travel from the UK to Lille
  • extra optional excursions
  • your own social activities
  • your own day-to-day expenses

Regarding the grant, priority is given to applicants who have not received a professional development grant in the last two years. The deadline for grant applications for this course is 31 March 2008, please ensure that you send your registration form to us as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline date for funding. the British Council will not consider grant applications after this date.

Please note the first and last days of the course are travelling days.