Developing a shared dialogue of
language learning strategies
The
intention of this project is to select a text by a familiar author
to Primary teachers and children and develop linguistic and
creative activities in French around this text.It was important to
select a text that was mature enough and yet simple enough to
engage Year 6 French language learners. The text also had to
contain sufficient grammatical and linguistically creative content
to engage the Year 7 language learner. At both Year 6 and Year 7
the intention is that the text will allow for progression in
language learning skills that could be transferred to the learning
of another language.Colleagues in the Language College cluster are
now looking at ways to engage children more actively in their
language learning. They are developing dialogue with the children
to allow them to reflect upon how and why they are learning
language. Also how they can transfer skill based knowledge to a
different learning experience and potentially a different
language.
Impact
This project has strengthened relationship between Language College
and cluster primary Schools. During this time a shared dialogue of
new ways to approach language learning through vehicle of LLS has
been developed. This project has also improved understanding of
ways to approach issues of diversification of languages. Read more
about this project
(doc, 48KB)
Examples of some of the resources produced by teachers during
this project:
Transition project 2008-09
Bridgewater High are now revising and working alongside primary
colleagues to make their 'Ma maman' project more primary friendly.
The project is being run out in six week blocks in all feeder
Primary Year 6 classes. The class teachers are involved in the
delivery as well as the High School coordinator. Year 7 classes are
making reference to the project from last year in Year 6 and
developing on from this project and linking their learning to new
text based age related learning opportunities.
Lymm High continues to meet regularly with their cluster and is
now working with the two Cheshire Schools who feed to the High
School so that they too are part of the project. All children in
Year 6 last year learned a simple French song, Savez vous planter
les choux, to be used in Year 7 as a class warm up or as a grammar,
verb conjugation and nouns reference point. The Primary Languages
Coordinator continues to develop a shared dialogue with her primary
cluster schools about what language skills the children are earning
and practising at KS2 and how they can impact on language learning
at KS3. Read more
(doc, 47KB)
Related audio clip
Julie
Sutcliffe, Head of Languages Department in Lysander High
School gives an update on how they are working together with
7 primary schools with whom they have been working during the
last couple of years to make the transition as smooth as
possible: