Partnership working in modern languages using collaborative learning and ICT
'Modern languages Principles and practice encourages teachers to make lessons more meaningful and pupils to become more active in their learning. It makes us focus on global citizenship and encourages creative teaching and learning.'
(Secondary teacher)
This project illustrates how St Margaret's High School in North Lanarkshire has developed a partnership with a school in Majorca as a context for developing the Curriculum for Excellence capacities and for making learning more relevant.
In particular, this project highlights the use of information and communications technology (ICT) and collaborative learning as a means of engaging pupils actively in their learning while addressing the three Introductory Statements of the Modern Languages Framework (Interconnected nature of languages, Cultural Awareness, Communicative Competence).
'...engage with and create a wide range of texts in different media, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by ICT'
(Modern languages framework 2009)
Establishing links with Majorca using ICT
View the following film clips to see how videoconferencing, immersion visits and collaboration with partner schools both within and outwith Scotland are used effectively by the Modern Languages Department in this high school to develop:
confident individuals, who, through experiencing success and support, can interact with others in real-life situations, talk about topics of personal interest and deliver presentations in their new language
effective contributors, who can work in individual, paired and group situations, and establish and maintain contact with other speakers of the target language
responsible citizens, who have a growing awareness of life in another society and of the issues facing citizens in the countries where their new language is spoken.
Reflective questions for CPD
Before watching the video:
- How do you currently engage pupils actively in their learning?
- In what ways do you make use of ICT to enhance your teaching of modern languages?
'...and the use of ICT can bring them directly into contact with people from around the world.'
(Modern languages Principles and practice, 2009)
The following clip demonstrates how the school:
- established links with Majorca through ICT - young people and teachers were immersed in Spanish language by visiting Majorcan schools and communicating with Spanish young people of their own age.
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Impact
There was a great impact on pupils' performance and they developed more confidence in their listening and talking skills.
Developing cultural awareness
'...develop my understanding of what is special, vibrant and valuable about my own and other cultures and their languages.'
(Modern languages framework, 2009)
The following clip establishes:
- emphasis on cultural awareness - young people and teachers immersed in Spanish culture/benefits of visiting the country.
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Use of information and communications technology (ICT)
'…making effective use of information and communication technology to enhance teaching and learning and providing real-life contexts which motivate children and young people and help them to see a purpose to their language learning.'
'...active lessons are motivational for pupils and teachers.'
'The study of a modern language has a unique contribution to make to the development of cultural awareness as it provides children and young people with a means of communicating directly with people from different cultures, enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of other cultures and of their own. They gain insights into other ways of thinking and other views of the world and therefore develop a much richer understanding of active citizenship.'
(Modern languages Principles and practice, 2009)
In the following film clip, the above is demonstrated through an:
- emphasis on 'active learning' through ICT - young people being more engaged in, and given realistic purpose for, their learning
- eLearning Project affording opportunities for young people in primary and secondary schools to go online with each other and with pupils in Majorca using email, web cameras and video conferencing.
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Using different media for learning and communicating
- Encourages a collaborative working approach across sectors - building confidence in teachers’ and pupils’ language and ICT skills and exchanging practice and ideas.
- Places emphasis on deep learning leading to better understanding.
- Uses different media effectively for learning and communication.
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Reflective questions for CPD
After watching the video:
- Discuss the main advantages of the approaches used here.
- Reflecting on the approaches used, what are the possible implications for your teaching and how could you develop these approaches to improve the pupils’ learning?