Teachers across Lancashire have been tuning in to the weekly broadcast of the primary languages podcast! This project provides language training for non-specialist class teachers in the form of weekly five to ten- minute French podcasts. Available to download free of charge, the podcasts offer busy primary teachers the opportunity to build up their confidence in delivering language lessons.

Each episode is different, some offer practical ideas for the classroom, others focus on pronunciation using key words and phrases, and some show how languages can link to different areas of the curriculum. The podcasts are short and simple and can be used in a flexible way - teachers can download the latest digest and tune in anywhere at a time that suits them.

The project makes full use of the technology available; the podcasts can be displayed on an ipod, computer or interactive whiteboard and the audio is complemented by transcripts and visuals. This initiative is helping to raise the profile of languages across Lancashire and beyond by making the podcasts freely available on their website and teachers are making the most of this technology to boost their confidence in language teaching. The project receives the TDA Languages and Technology Prize of £1,000. This project also receives the Spanish Embassy Language Prize.

Language(s): French, Spanish

Lancashire is one of the three largest local authorities in England with 83 high schools and over 480 primary schools. The primary languages team plans and implements the county’s primary languages strategy.