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Training

Training for languages teachers in primary schools

These two videos have been prepared for teachers or trainers involved in delivering the MLPS programme, and those with responsibility for primary languages at education authority level in Scotland.

Since authorities are now responsible for the training of primary languages teachers, there is some variety in the way in which the programmes are delivered; the amount of time each teacher spends in training, and the methodologies used to model and teach modern languages in primary schools.

These interviews reflect a variety of styles and programmes currently used in three different authorities; Moray; North Ayrshire and Angus. Whilst they share the same aims as the original 27 day national training programme, each also offers an updated adaptation, in line with current developments or priorities, depending on the local authority.

Find out what's going on in MLPS in other areas, or simply compare your own course with practice elsewhere; or perhaps try some of the ideas suggested in the interviews and share some of your own. Whatever your involvement with MLPS you should find something interesting here or on the MLPS strand on the forum.

Thanks to the Scottish Government for funding this project

Why not download Adobe Flash Player and watch the video online?

Training in North Ayrshire

Vivien Bruce of North Ayrshire discusses their MLPS training for delivering French in the classroom.

Why not download Adobe Flash Player and watch the video online?

Training in Angus

Suzanne Milne chats about the Angus Council programme for CPD for their primary teachers.

Angus Council Coaching Model: first steps in reading and writing

In addition Angus has prepared a CPD pack to support the teaching and learning of French and German P6-S2. It has developed from Angus Council’s 'Coaching in Context Programme' to support teachers in their own classrooms by:

modelling good practice in delivery of modern languages
developing exemplar and assessment materials for 5-14, especially in writing and reading.

The pack contains two videos, taking the teacher through the early steps of reading and writing (in French) and showing where to go next (a German example).

There is an accompanying booklet with staff development activities, sample teaching materials, and examples of pupils' work. Download your own copy.

Word file: Teachers' notes: First Steps reading and writing in French 5-14, Angus Council (34 KB)

Teachers' TV on Training in Modern Languages in the Primary School (MLPS)

Teachers' TV asks what can be learned from the Scottish experience.

MFL: The Scottish Experience (Training) - video on Teachers' TV

Go to Language support for details of the corresponding video on teaching modern languages in the primary school.

CPD and Outreach from the Alliance Française, Glasgow

The Alliance Française de Glasgow offers CPD workshops and outreach activities for teachers and pupils in nursery and primary schools.

Outreach for Nursery and Primary pupils

'A trip to France': a French day in your school simulating a trip to France, with a French lunch in between
Café français: conversation with a French native speaker

To find out more, contact the Alliance française:
Alliance Française de Glasgow
3 Park Circus - Glasgow
G3 6AX
0141-331 4080 (Phone)
0141-331 4081 (Fax)
Email: Admin at Alliance Française

Teachers' TV video guide - develop speaking and listening with Total Physical Response (TPR)

This 15-minute programme, 'Activity Based Learning', on the Teachers' TV website, shows excerpts from a French lesson during primary school pupils’ first year of learning the language. Kinaesthetic approaches to learning words help increase the confidence of learners while a context for new words is provided to avoid repetition for repetition’s sake.

Dumfries and Galloway Council Language Passport: recording and evaluating learning

The Language Passport trialled in one associated school group in Dumfries and Galloway provided a means of recording and evaluating learning in the languages classroom. This is a flexible tool for the teacher - use it, adapt it, customise it. Another advantage is that it belongs to the pupils - they own it, they can be proud of it, and it lets their future teachers see just how much they can do.

PDF file: Introduction to Language Passport (199 KB)

Contributions from Catriona Oates, Scottish CILT