Many countries around the globe are in the process of implementing radical educational reforms which introduce a second or foreign language into the education of young people. The contexts are all very different but the challenges are often the same. Despite a range of legislation over the past half century, the take up of modern foreign language (MFL) learning in UK schools, and the confidence of school-age pupils in speaking languages other than English, remains stubbornly low. The recent national languages policy for England, in an attempt to raise standards and confidence, re-introduces language learning in primary education. The purpose of this multinational event is for participants to share their experience of early language learning and to use the recent developments in the UK, particularly in Liverpool, as a case study to explore current issues. The challenges involved in implementation of the policy will be addressed through discussion and debate and participants will be encouraged to explore ways in which the issues in their own particular countries can be resolved.
The main topics include:
- approaches to initial and continuing teacher education
- the National Languages Strategy
- curricula, methodology and resources
- transition from primary to secondary education
- assessment
- links to ICT (Information Communication Technology)
- visits to local primary schools
The seminar is designed for professionals engaged in language learning from around the world, where projects in modern foreign languages early education are being introduced: teacher trainers, inspectors, advisers, project leaders, heads of schools, heads of departments, curriculum developers. It will also be of interest to those with responsibility for the strategic direction of early language learning. Sessions will be interactive and emphasis is placed on sharing experiences in order to create and foster a network to shape developments and initiatives in this field.
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