Continuing professional development conferences and events

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Vive la France à Besançon!


22 October to 1 November 2008
Centre de Linguistique Appliquée,
Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France

Teaching French at upper intermediate or advanced level and looking to refresh your knowledge of French society and culture?
Interested in developing new skills?

Vive la France à Besançon! focuses on current themes in French culture and society, providing vital background information for teachers through a lively mix of discussions, workshops and a full recreational programme. Workshops focusing on different techniques such as theatre, song and video help you to develop new ideas and skills.

You will be based in Besançon, a beautiful university town in the east of France with a rich, diverse history and a dynamic cultural life. The Centre de Linguistique Appliquée (CLA) has an international reputation for French as a foreign language and offers a range of resources including access to the centre’s extensive médiathèque.

Course Tutors
Experienced native speakers and tutors from the CLA, France and language teaching advisers from CILT, the National Centre for Languages.

Who is it for?
It is designed for current teachers of French to upper intermediate or advanced level (AS/A2 or equivalent in UK secondary schools and FE colleges), but may also be suitable for current teachers of intermediate level French (GCSE or equivalent) who wish to progress to teaching at a higher level. Applicants should have a good command of spoken French as lectures and group work are conducted entirely in French.

The course will include:

  • Sessions on language-teaching methodology for young learners.
  • Language enhancement.
  • A varied choice of sessions, including some on aspects of French culture.
  • Practical workshops focusing on play, songs and games.
  • Opportunities to collect teaching materials.
  • A programme of cultural visits to familiarise participants with the region of France.

Aims:

  • These are linguistic, cultural and pedagogic:

Participants improve their language skills by speaking French throughout the course with other course members and the CLA and CILT staff. We also hope to be able to offer the option of staying with a French host.

There are formal and informal opportunities to share professional expertise between course members. Course staff will facilitate sessions using techniques which are readily adaptable when teaching advanced students.

Knowledge and understanding of French society and culture are updated through input in the morning sessions on a variety of topics complemented by conversation in groups and a discussion of pedagogy. There will also be visits to nearby schools and local places of interest, plus evening outings of a cultural nature.

Pre-requisite skills
The course will be held entirely in French, therefore, applicants should be able to manage in French on a day-to-day basis.

Registration:

  • Fill out the form (pdf) to register your interest in attending this course.
  • We will send you instructions on how to apply for a grant towards the cost of the course.
    Please note: Teachers in adult education should apply for a grant using the Grundtvig application  which is administered by ECOTEC.
  • You send your completed grant application form to the British Council Education and Training Group or ECOTEC (the national agencies responsible for issuing these grants) as soon as possible.
  • You will be informed by the British Council ETG or ECOTEC 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 or ECOTEC.

  • CILT will confirm your attendance on the course if a place is still available.

  • For more information call CILT on 020 7379 5101 or email conferences@cilt.org.uk

Fee and grant:
The course fee is Euros 1,700. You can apply for a grant through the Comenius Professional Development programme (managed by the British Council) or Grundtvig programme (managed by ECOTEC) to contribute to the course fee, subsistence and your travel.

The course fee covers:

  • Accommodation in Besançon. We hope to offer a choice of home stay or hotel accomodation.
  • A daily subsistence allowance to go towards meals not already included.
  • Course and tuition fees.
  • A CILT tutor to accompany you.

You or your institution will also need to pay for:

  • Travel from the UK to Besançon
  • Extra optional excursions
  • Your own social activities
  • Your own day-to-day expenses

Grant priority is given to applicants who have not received a professional development grant in the last two years. Up to two applicants per institute are considered for funding. The deadline for grant applications for this course is 30 June 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.