Hampshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) receives a joint award for two innovative projects in the field of community languages.

The primary community languages tasters project is working to inspire pupils to welcome the world during London 2012 Olympic Games. This project, for Key Stage 1 primary school classes, aims to raise awareness of other languages through the teaching of community languages. Bilingual tutors visit schools and deliver a series of language sessions. Schools are then provided with a teacher resource pack containing follow-up activities to support and develop what is taught in the set language sessions.

The Hampshire young interpreter scheme trains pupils to become interpreters to support pupils who are learning English as an Additional Language. The benefits to both sets of children are evident; new learners feel supported and young interpreters take on a key role in the school community enabling them to develop their communication and interpersonal skills.

Children from both schemes are highly motivated by these approaches and show great enthusiasm. Both projects work to raise awareness of community languages and help integration, not only in schools but also in the wider community.

Hampshire EMTAS receives the Community Languages Prize for its work in supporting both of these inspirational projects.

Language(s): the 124 community languages represented by pupils in Hampshire schools, including British Sign Language.

Hampshire EMTAS is part of Children’s services within Hampshire County Council. The service currently works with over 300 Hampshire schools.