St Roch’s Secondary School
Glasgow pupils have been discovering the value of language
learning for the world of work, and gaining the skills and qualifi
cations to apply for jobs in both French and English.
Working with the Scottish Qualifi cations Authority (SQA) and
business partners Halcrow Engineering, Novotel and John Lewis, St
Roch’s Secondary School Modern Languages Department and Faculty of
Business Education have together developed a teaching programme
that combines language learning with workplace experience and the
opportunity to gain valuable qualifi cations.
Initially targeted at pupils aged 15-16 with little interest in
language learning, or learning in general, lacking in self-confi
dence and with low expectations of themselves, the project has seen
participants blossom into confi dent learners with new skills and
plans for their future. It is now open to all pupils in years S3 to
S6 (age 14–18) and forms part of the school curriculum.
The programme is designed to allow pupils to develop language
skills within the context of their own personal and career
development. Practical skills such as CV writing, interviews,
customer service skills and the use of ICT are taught alongside
problem solving and tackling new challenges. Pupils also complete
the SQA qualifi cations Language for Work Purposes and the National
Progression Award in Enterprise and Employability.
The project business partners introduce the pupils to real-life
employment situations in which languages are an important skill,
giving them the opportunity to experience French in use in the
workplace through visits and videoconferencing. Assessment is
conducted by the business partners through job interviews in
English and French.
Our judges met some of the project participants and commented:
‘The transformational effect on the students was clear… Very
impressive from every angle.’
Originally developed in French, the project is now being
trialled in German, and can be adapted to other languages.
Jacqueline Gallagher, principal teacher of modern languages at
St Roch’s says:
‘This is a team effort between St Roch’s and our business
partners, and we are thrilled to receive such distinguished
recognition. The award is an exciting endorsement of our
interdisciplinary approach, which focuses on building confi dence
and resilience through language learning, while also enabling our
young people to achieve national qualifications.’
The Skills for Life and Work project is the winner of the
French Embassy Language Prize.
St Roch’s Secondary School serves the north of
Glasgow. The school population refl ects the cultural and ethnic
diversity of Glasgow.
More information:
www.st-rochs-sec.glasgow.sch.uk