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Welcome to the latest news area, where you can find out about languages in the news as well as the latest developments at CILT, the National Centre for Languages.

Finalists announced in primary languages teaching award
Four outstanding teachers have been chosen as finalists in an award which recognises the very best in primary language teaching in the UK.

Helen Berry (from Salisbury Road Primary School, Plymouth), Gill Leicester (from Dean Valley Community Primary School, Cheshire), Maria Martinez (from Claycots School, Slough) and Sally Mitchell (from St Luke’s CE Primary School, Bournemouth) have all been selected as finalists in this year’s Scholastic and La Jolie Ronde Primary Language Teacher Award.

The award was set up in February 2008 to celebrate excellence in primary language teaching. Geoff Swinn, Deputy Chief Executive of CILT, the National Centre for Languages, was on this year’s judging panel.

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in November. She will receive an all expenses paid two-day trip to Northern France for up to 30 children and five teachers as well as a range of resources from sponsors.

The award offers a fantastic opportunity to inspire and build confidence in language teaching in all primary schools – and a boost to the National Languages Strategy for England, which aims to give all pupils aged 7-11 an entitlement to learn a language by 2010. (02/07/09)

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Language learners make the link for European Awards
UK winners of this year’s European Award for Languages have shown that language teachers are increasingly looking outside of the language department for ways to motivate young learners. Winning projects made innovative cross-curricular links with departments including Drama, geography, history and citizenship to show students the relevance of languages to all aspects of life.

Winners of the prestigious Europe-wide award – which was presented yesterday in Bristol by languages advocate Baroness Coussins and Colourful Radio broadcaster Henry Bonsu – come from all educational sectors across England and Scotland.

A journey on the Orient Expres from Macmillan Academy in Middlesborough

One Scottish primary school combined languages with literacy by teaming up with a partner school in France to write an adventure story in French and English, while an innovative project from the International Learning and Research Centre used links with drama and literacy to get children exploring the similarities and difference between languages.

Meanwhile, projects in Secondary schools included joining up with the drama and geography departments to recreate the journey of the Orient Express in French; working with partner schools in Russia and Germany to explore aspects of history and citizenship; linking with businesses and HE to create a simulated trade fair in French and German; and getting the whole of Year 7 singing their hearts out in a Spanish song contest! (01/07/09)

UK schools prepare for European Day of Languages
On 26th September, schools across Europe will be celebrating the vast number of languages spoken around the world and recognising all the different ways in which learning another language can enhance people’s lives. CILT, the National Centre for Languages is encouraging schools across the UK to join in the festivities.

The European Day of Languages was set up by the Council of Europe in 2001, and now has around 45 countries involved. It’s an opportunity for schools, colleges and the wider community to kick-start language learning, or to introduce some fun into the process by planning activities like singing contests, market days or competitions.

CILT has all sorts of ideas to help teachers and parents along the way. Resources, downloads and general advice can all be found on our European Day of Languages webpages, along with an events calendar, which schools across Europe are encouraged to use to promote and share their own ideas for activities and events.

This year CILT has produced a new collection of resources aimed specifically at MFL teachers. The ‘Discover a World of Languages’ collection of posters, stickers, and class sets can be used across both primary and secondary and is perfect for getting pupils thinking about different cultures and picking up words that they could use on holiday. (26/06/09)

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Our Languages e-conference explores identity and diversity
Our Languages – a consortium which promoting community languages learning through partnerships between complementary and mainstream schools – is running an e-conference for young people to celebrate Who Do We Think We Are? Week (22nd to 27th June).

The aim of Who Do We Think We Are? Week is to get young people to think about their identity and community. It is extremely relevant to one of the core themes behind Our Languages, which is to promote the role of community languages in working towards a greater sense of social cohesion.

The Our Languages e-conference will be open to all young learners at primary, secondary or sixth form level. Pupils taking part will be asked to consider six questions, and participate in a guided online discussion with young people from a diverse range of educational and ethnic backgrounds. Some of these questions will be based on identity (How is your identity different from that of your grandparents?) whilst others will be more language-focussed (If you were famous, how would you use your languages to make the world a better place?).

The idea is to give pupils a greater understanding of the different communities to which they belong. A core theme of Our Languages is to make explicit the link between language and identity, developing a sense of global citizenship – which is exactly what this online discussion will help cement. (19/06/09)

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Who Do We Think We Are? week

Stars join search for UK’s language and film talent
CILT, the National Centre for Languages is setting a challenge to young people and schools across the UK – Who can make the most creative two-minute video clip showing why languages are important?

This question is at the heart of the Languages and Film Talent Awards (LAFTAs), a national competition inviting 13-21 year olds to make short films about the importance of languages.
The competition has support from high profile judges including double Olympic champion Sebastian Coe and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory star Freddie Highmore.

The LAFTAs first launched in 2008, when over 750 young people got the cameras rolling for the chance to win fantastic prizes including trips to Spain, France and Germany. Even more are expected to take part in this year's competition, which aims to encourage more young people to learn a language.

This year’s LAFTAs include some exciting developments such as the support of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). A special London 2012 category invites entries linking languages to London 2012 and the Olympic and Paralympic Values. The category will be judged by LOCOG chair Seb Coe.

Other new twists include a World of Languages category – looking for the best clips involving lesser-taught languages - and regional heats run by Routes into Languages and CILT UK. (17/06/09)

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Languages and Film Talent Awards (LAFTAs)

Puppets lend a helping hand at CILT library
The CILT Library’s most recent event was a lively, practical session looking at how to get the most out of using puppets in the primary languages classroom.

Stephen Novy of Pekko’s Puppets demonstrated the activities that he offers to schools at the event last week, giving a wonderful performance of the traditional tale, Le Petit Chaperon Rouge, in French.

Inspired by the performance, CILT’s Lucy Adamson showed delegates how to make hand puppets from simple, accessible and affordable materials - paper plates and colourful socks! Lucy showed how puppets can be used in the primary languages classroom to help develop speaking skills by creating opportunities for pair work, practising conversations on topics such as feelings, and building the confidence of shyer children to interact in the new language.

Visitors to the library put their creative skills to good use by making their own fabulous sock and plate puppets -complete with smiley and sad faces - to take back to their own classrooms.

Ruth Churchill, CILT’s Early Language Learning Information Officer, finished the session with a tour of the library's primary languages resources for puppets and craft activities. Materials linking languages to art are now on display in the library's NACELL collection as part of its current focus on cross curricular teaching in primary languages.

CILT would like to thank everyone who came to last week’s event. For news on upcoming library events, keep an eye on the CILT Resources Library webpage. (16/06/09)

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A new update on languages and ICT
CILT and the Association for Language Learning (ALL) have published a spring update on the Languages ICT website. ICT Outlook considers some of the recent developments around the use of Information and Communications Technology in the classroom, and takes a look back at some of the past year’s events and initiatives in the field.

ICT Outlook certainly has a lot to report in terms of what is happening at present; from the latest developments with the Diploma in Languages, to eLanguages - a new collaboration between the DCSF and the British Council which encourages using ICT to introduce a greater international element to language learning.

The Outlook discusses CILT’s own online developments, namely the launch of a brand new website in summer 2009, and also considers some recent events (the Primary Languages Show, TeachMeet) and how ICT has impacted upon them. All previous updates are archived on the site, so teachers can look back and consider how things have moved on over the past few years.

The Languages ICT website has itself undergone some improvements recently, and as a result has become much more ‘user-friendly’. Teachers can now access an online database full of useful information about how ICT can be introduced effectively within MFL, including comprehensive guides on a whole range of technical tools and multimedia resources.

In addition, the website now includes a ‘search’ function, which means anyone using the site can get to exactly where they want to be more efficiently – searching anything from teaching tips to Twitter. (12/06/09)

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One million pound project to tackle language skills gap
CILT, the National Centre for Languages has won a bid to run a million pound programme to encourage teenagers to learn languages to help them compete more successfully in an increasingly globalised job market. The Languages Employer Engagement project will see employers working with schools in England to demonstrate the relevance of languages and intercultural skills to business.

The new programme comes in response to feedback from high-profile business organisations that shows that without language skills the UK risks falling behind in the international job market.

A recent survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed that the importance of languages to UK firms is set to grow as companies operate in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Seventy two per cent of UK international trade is with non-English speaking countries – but it is estimated that only one in ten British workers can speak a foreign language.

The announcement of the project -which aims to tackle a decline in language take-up at GCSE - follows news that the study of language at University is at an all time low.

CILT’s Chief Executive Kathryn Board said ‘In the current economic climate, being able to speak more than one language will give school leavers a competitive advantage in the job market over monolingual English speakers, as well as the chance to take advantage of job opportunities in the EU and elsewhere in the world.' (11/06/09)

Concerns grow over funding cuts for languages
CILT is deeply concerned at the impact that recently announced research funding reductions are expected to have on provision to study languages at university.

For more than a decade now UK universities have been failing to supply enough competent linguists to meet our strategic and economic needs. This was well-documented by the Nuffield Inquiry in 2000, and echoed by the 2005 Roberts’ report which declared languages strategically important and vulnerable subjects.

While overall student numbers have been increasing, the supply of language graduates has been in decline and provision for lesser-taught languages which are growing in economic and strategic importance, remains worryingly low. Since the Roberts’ report HEFCE and the DCSF have commissioned important initiatives such as Routes into Languages to stimulate uptake, but now cuts to provision precipitated by a loss of research funding threaten to cancel out the benefits of this investment.

Kathryn Board, Chief Executive of CILT said: ‘At a time when the employability of our young people and the need to regain our economic position in the world are at an all-time high on the UK’s agenda, we need to increase the number of UK graduates competent to work internationally, to enable them to compete with multilingual counterparts from across the world.

Languages are important for our economic prosperity, for our security and for our cultural and intellectual clout in a globalised world. British graduates without language skills are disadvantaged in the international jobs market, and lack of language skills limits research and acts as a brake on trade.’

CILT welcomes HEFCE’s decision to appoint the highly respected Professor Michael Worton, Vice Provost of University College London, to conduct a review of languages in Higher Education. He will have our full support. (03/06/09)

New Curriculum Guides
The latest Curriculum guides for Gujarati, Somali, Yoruba and Chinese Cantonese have been published this week. They will be launched at the Community Languages Show in July but copies are available now.

The new curriculum guides for community languages are the latest in a series which provides a framework to support the design and delivery of courses in both mainstream and complementary education.

The guides provide a framework which maps a clear linguistic progression across topics and suggests a variety of activities to develop both speaking and literacy. With a focus on intercultural awareness and creativity, they also give guidance on assessment, grammar and the development of learner independence. The guides draw on recent policy developments in language teaching, including the Key Stage 2 framework and the Key Stage 3 Strategy, and are linked to the Languages Ladder.

Originally conceived as a Goldsmiths College project, and supported by the Nuffield Foundation, the curriculum guides recognise and value children's achievement in community languages. Others in the series include; Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Panjabi, Tamil and Urdu.

All the authors are experienced language teachers committed to making the study of community languages relevant and meaningful for a wide range of learners. (21/05/09)

Cultural diversity shines at Adult Learners Week Awards
Cultural diversity is a key theme for this year’s Adult Learners’ Week award winners, who will be celebrating their achievements today at an award ceremony hosted by TV presenter Phillipa Forrester. Winners include a group of Gypsies and Travellers who have overcoming negative stereotyping through learning, and multilingual bus drivers who are learning English and sharing cultures.

The Adult Learners’ Week awards recognise the commitment, interest and passion that adults bring to their learning. The annual awards are a highlight of Adult Learners Week (9-15 May), a national campaign run by the National Institute of Continuing Education (NIACE).

This year’s winners come from an outstandingly wide range of backgrounds. Many have been working together to learn about each others’ cultures, such as First Buses Learning Group in London, whose members come from countries as diverse as Turkey, France, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. When they’re not behind the wheel, they learn English together and take part in cultural activities such as African drumming at the bus garage.

Kushti Bok, a group of Gypsies and Travelers based in Dorchester, won an award for forming a group aimed at overcoming negative stereotyping through learning. After realising that adult learning courses can be delivered flexibly, over 100 Gypsies and Travelers in the area have achieved qualifications including child care, hairdressing and teaching. Members of the group have joined consultative and advisory groups, including local authority and mental health agencies, and organised events to raise awareness of the needs of Gypsies and Travellers across the UK. (15/05/09)

Adult Learners' Week

Get live careers advice from the languages experts
If you are thinking about a career in languages or are unsure what to do with your languages qualification and skills, you may find the answers on the Guardian Jobs website this Friday. CILT advisors will be taking part in a live online Q&A, giving the public the chance to ask the experts about how to get ahead in careers with languages.

Teresa Tinsley, CILT’s Director of Communications and Anne Marie Graham, CILT’s Skills and Qualifications Adviser, will be online between 1pm – 4pm on Friday 15 May to answer your questions about careers opportunities with languages.

CILT provides support to anyone looking at careers with languages through its Languages Work website, which includes fact sheets containing useful information and case studies of people using languages in a wide range of careers.

Get in early and post your languages career questions now. To join in the live Q&A, register on the Guardian Jobs website.

CILT announces conference to mark Adult Learners' Week
CILT, the National Centre for Languages has announced that it is holding a July conference on adult language learning to mark this week’s Adult Learners’ Week. The conference will explore the effects of recent funding cuts and changes in government policy on adult education, and give teachers and managers of adult language programmes the opportunity to discuss the way forward.

Cherry Sewell, Head of Business, Skills and Adult Learning at CILT said:

‘The providers of language learning classes in colleges and adult education centres are faced with some serious challenges. While the demand for foreign language learning remains high among adults, recent funding priorities have had the effect of reducing the number of classes provided.

The government Department of Innovation and Skills (DIUS) has published a new policy White Paper ‘The Learning Revolution,’ which outlines their proposals for informal adult learning in the future. And over the next year the planning and funding structures for adult learning are changing with the creation of the government Skills Funding Agency which will work with regional agencies and local authorities.

It is an important time for professionals working in this area to get together to share ideas, to give each other support and inspiration.’

Be an interpreter for the day with the European Commission
The Interpreting branch of the European Commission are giving the public the chance to find out what it is like to be an interpreter for the day at an online open day tomorrow.

The Open Day gives online visitors the chance to hear both in-house and freelance staff at the European Commission talk about their jobs and describe life behind the walls of the European headquarters. Members of the public can also try to be an Interpreter for the Day (or at least a few minutes!).

Ian Andersen of the Commission’s interpreting unit said: ‘Open Day is a great party and a great chance for the general public to hear staff of the European Commission talk about what they do.’ The Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban, will also be joining in the day.

The event will take place on Saturday 9 May from 10am – 4pm. Join in the Open Day.
(08/05/09)

Contribute to online survey for languages Diploma
QCA has launched an online questionnaire to consult on the Line of Learning Criteria for the new Diploma in Languages and International Communication. The consultation will run until 29 May 2009 and can be accessed through the QCA website.

The survey is aimed at representatives from awarding bodies, colleges, schools, universities, employers and other organisations who are interested in shaping this Diploma and the other Phase 4 Diplomas in Science, and Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Line of Learning Criteria are regulatory documents developed by QCA and approved by OfQual and are used by awarding bodies to develop principal learning qualifications. The LoL Criteria define the line of learning specific knowledge, skills and understanding at Foundation (level 1), Higher (level 2), and Advanced (level 3) levels that must be covered as a minimum by principal learning.

Visit the online survey, for your chance to help shape the new Diploma in Languages and International Communication. (06/05/09)

Languages linked with literacy in primary review
Language learning for children in primary schools will be closely linked to literacy and communication skills, according to an independent review of the primary curriculum published this week. The report by Sir Jim Rose recommends that all children aged 7-11 should learn at least one foreign language as part of the new 'Understanding English, communication and languages’ area of learning.

The review explores what should be included in a broad and balanced curriculum to ensure that children receive a well-rounded education. A key aspect of the report is its championing of cross-curricular learning in primary schools. As Rose says in the report, ‘Ofsted and the QCA report that some of the most effective learning occurs when connections are made between subjects.’

The review recommends the introduction of six areas of learning: 'Understanding English, communication and languages,' Mathematical understanding' 'Scientific and technological understanding' ‘Historical, geographical and social understanding' 'Understanding physical development, health and wellbeing' and ‘Understanding the arts.’

Kati Szeless, Language Teaching Advisor at CILT, the National Centre for Languages, welcomes the inclusion of languages in the ‘Understanding English, communication and languages’ area of learning:

“At CILT we have been investigating links between English and language learning and we are encouraged by the link between these subjects made in the Rose review. Linking languages with literacy helps to develop children’s learning. Many of the skills involved in learning a new language at primary school are transferable; where it is well taught, new language learning allows children to reinforce key literacy skills by revisiting them in a new context.’ (01/05/09)

CILT takes central role in Open School for Languages
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has announced that leading educational software provider RM will deliver the Open School for Languages, a key recommendation of the 2007 Dearing Review. CILT, the National Centre for Languages is delighted to be a major partner with RM and their subsidiary, Lightbox Education, in this exciting new initiative.

The Open School for Languages (OSfL) is a £6 million project which will make available online in a highly imaginative way a range of materials in different languages, with content designed to engage learners, both independently and in the classroom. The service will also support new developments in the secondary languages curriculum.

The vision for OSfL is to help more young people discover the relevance and value of languages by switching them on to language learning and providing them with opportunities to improve their language skills.

Anyone interested in contributing to the development of the Open School for Languages is invited to participate in an online survey about the new project.

Language skills prized by employers as UK firms go global
Languages are seen as a valuable commodity in an increasingly globalised workplace, according to new figures published by UK business specialists CBI this week. The CBI Education and Skills Survey 2009 shows that UK firms place a premium on staff who can communicate in a foreign language and who show an understanding of different cultures and business environments.

74% of employers interviewed in the survey are looking for candidates with conversational language skills rather than full fluency, as linguistic proficiency helps to consolidate relationships with existing trade partners and make contacts in new markets.

‘Companies value an employee’s ability to communicate conversationally with potential business partners, customers or clients in their own language,’ said a spokesperson for CBI. ‘This can help break the ice, deepen cultural understanding, and open business access to new markets.’

European languages are still the most sought-after by employers, with French and German the most commonly required languages. However, the report shows that increasing pressure to establish a presence in emerging economies has led a significant proportion of language-seeking firms to look for Mandarin or Cantonese (38%), Spanish (28%) and Russian (21%). Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese and Korean are also in demand.

Government seeks teachers’ views on Chinese lessons
The Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is looking for advice from teachers about how Chinese language, history and culture can be more widely taught to children and young people in the UK.

To find out what teachers think about the support and resources available for teaching Chinese language and culture, the DCSF has commissioned an online survey which will run until Friday 24 April. The survey also looks for teachers’ views on the impact that teaching about Chinese language and culture is having on children and young people.

The survey comes at a time when China is becoming increasingly important in world affairs and the global economy, and gaining greater familiarity with the British public through events such as the 2008 Olympics.

The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and will run until 24 April.
(20/04/09)

Go to survey

New website is essential resource for primary languages
A ground-breaking new website that supports language teaching in primary schools has now gone live. The new Primary Languages website brings together all of CILT’s online support from NACELL and the Primary Languages Training Zone to create one essential and easily accessible resource for everyone involved in teaching languages in primary schools.

The new website marks the end of the separate NACELL site, which has been supporting languages for young learners since 1999. The last ten years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of primary schools teaching languages ahead of languages becoming a statutory requirement in the primary sector in 2011.

NACELL’s news, advice and resources – as well as the popular ELL Forum – will continue on the new primary languages website, along with the impressive range of video clips and teaching ideas previously found on the Primary Languages Training Zone. All of CILT’s online support for primary languages is now in one place, making it easier for visitors to the site to find the help and ideas that they need. (14/04/09)

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Nine free events celebrate diversity in language learning
Teachers and managers interested in teaching a community language such as Urdu, Arabic, Mandarin or any other language in their school or college are invited to attend one of nine free events across the country during May and June 2009. The events celebrate the outcomes of the Our Languages project, which harnesses the potential of community languages by creating partnerships between mainstream and complementary schools.

Over the last two years, the Our Languages project has successfully raised awareness of the many benefits of teaching a community language to children and young people by bringing together expertise in community language teaching from community-run complementary schools and from the mainstream school sector. When the project began in 2007 there were nine schools involved in the project in London, Birmingham Leicester and Manchester; now there are 90 schools involved across England.

As well as forging partnerships between schools, the government-funded project raises the profile of community language teaching and learning through events and training sessions for teachers and runs a valuable website including a database of schools teaching community language. (14/04/09)

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Scottish CILT moves to Strathclyde
Scottish CILT has moved to Strathclyde University today from its previous base at the University of Stirling. The centre’s new contact details are:

Room C317, Crawfurd Building
University of Strathclyde, Jordanhill Campus
76 Southbrae Drive
Glasgow G13 1PP
Tel: 0141 950 3186/3690

New email addresses will be available soon; in the meantime, emails sent to current addresses will be forwarded on. Scottish CILT hopes to resume business as usual as soon as possible at its new site. (01/04/09)

CILT says goodbye and thank you to Comenius Network
This week sees the official end of the Comenius Network, which has provided regional support for language teachers across England since 1992. The network has provided an invaluable service, gauging the state of languages education in the regions, bringing together and supporting local authorities, schools, colleges, universities and helping in the delivery of an extensive CPD programme

In the last year alone, the Network has been responsible for delivering 200 courses, seminars and conferences which have addressed the KS2 and KS3 Frameworks, transition, intercultural understanding, the new secondary curriculum, foreign language assistants, using ICT, literacy, singing, dancing, community languages, training for teachers of adults and many more.

Comenius Managers have played an invaluable role, using their contacts to disseminate national initiatives from CILT and other organisations. They are hugely knowledgeable, experienced and respected individuals representing local authorities and universities and their varied backgrounds have been a great asset to CILT’s work. (01/04/09)

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CILT looks forward to Language World
CILT is gearing up for Language World 2009 in Leicester next week, where there will be six CILT sessions on topics ranging from languages and filmmaking, transition from primary and secondary school, and community languages.

Language World is the annual conference of the Association for Language Learning (ALL). The event on 3-4 April invites language teachers and managers to share ideas, catch up on the latest developments and get advice from language experts. CILT is well represented at the conference, with four sessions on Friday and two on Saturday.

On Friday, CILT’s Director of Communications Teresa Tinsley will be talking about the Languages and Film Talent Awards (LAFTAs), a competition which invites young people aged 13-21 to make two-minute videos showing the importance of languages. Last year CILT received 165 entries from across the UK; the next competition is launching in May and is expected to be even bigger and better.

CILT’s Sarah Cartwright will be giving an update on the Our Languages project, which aims to raise the status of community languages by supporting partnerships between mainstream and complementary schools. CILT’s Chief Executive, Kathryn Board, will be giving advice on where to find support for the many challenges facing language teachers today, while CILT’s Head of Secondary Carmel O’Hagan will focus on transition in languages from primary to secondary school.

On Saturday, Language Teaching Adviser Claire Dugard will be running a workshop for primary school teachers and managers interested in offering a community language, while Sarah Cartwright is teaming up with Kathy Wicksteed to explore opportunities with community languages under the new national curriculum. (30/03/09)

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CILT shows its support for NVQs
CILT is running a survey to find out how NVQs in languages can continue to meet the needs of individuals and learning providers as the qualification reaches a new stage in its development.

The Qualifications and Credit Framework was implemented in England, Northern Ireland and Wales at the end of 2008 as the final stage of the Government’s vocational qualifications reform programme. There are no qualification types or brands in the new framework, which means that language and other NVQs can no longer exist in their current form.

Anne Marie Graham, Skills and Qualifications Adviser at CILT said ‘We value language NVQs very highly; they are an increasingly popular qualification with learners of all ages, providers and employers. However, we need to map NVQs across to the new framework, and this may mean making some changes to the qualification.’

CILT sees this change as an opportunity and is looking for feedback from learning providers to find out what they feel are the advantages and disadvantages of the current qualification. In this way, CILT and the relevant awarding bodies hope to make the new competency based qualification even better, ensuring that we retain the most successful elements while working on improving the less popular aspects. (27/03/09)

Contribute to CILT survey

Last chance to have your say on new languages Diploma
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is running nine events in April and May to give stakeholders a final chance to have their say on the new Diploma in Languages and International Communication. The title has been changed following extensive research with students and employers which showed it to be a better reflection of the learning involved and more appealing to these key groups.

Consultation now focuses on the draft Line of Learning Criteria which will be used by awarding bodies to develop qualification specifications. They also help further and higher education institutions, employers and other stakeholders understand what has been studied and assessed. The criteria are based on the Line of Learning Statement, a description of the learning content, which was developed after consultation events in February.

The Diploma in Languages is one of 17 Diplomas, and is due to be launched in 2011. Diplomas are set to become one of the three main learning choices, alongside GCSEs/A levels and Apprenticeships. CILT is project partner in the development of the new Diploma in Languages, led by GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council for passenger transport and travel.

Consultation events take place from 21 April to 29 May in venues across England. The deadline to register is 15 April for the events in April and 1 May for the May events. (25/03/09)

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Conference shows primary languages have arrived
Speaking to an audience of teachers at last week’s CILT Primary Languages Show, former Playschool presenter Floella Benjamin showed her admiration for the teaching profession. ‘You stand for everything I believe in,’ she said. ‘Education should be fun and stimulating, and should open children’s minds so that they can go out and change the world.’

This inspiring speech set the tone for the two-day conference, which was full of the sense of fun and enthusiasm surrounding languages in the primary school. Delegates were kept busy with over 70 workshops to choose from, on topics as wide-ranging as puppets, podcasts, salsa, transition from primary to secondary school, intercultural understanding, and the role of the head teacher in primary languages.

Visitors to the Show had the chance to browse resources for young language learners from over 30 publishers and organisations at a free exhibition. On the CILT stand, delegates met the authors of two new titles for primary languages teachers: Leading the Way by Bernadette Clinton and Marion Vincent and Speak up! by Peter Satchwell and June de Silva. (11/03/09)

Children set to overtake adults in language learning
While giving up a language at school remains the biggest regret from adult Britons’ schooldays, according to a recent survey of UK adults, children are already starting to make up for their parents’ lack of language skills as a result of government plans to make language teaching available in every primary school in England by 2010.

To meet the demands from schools and parents looking for ways of developing children’s language skills, CILT, the National Centre for Languages is hosting the nation’s biggest ever event for primary languages in Liverpool on 6-7 March where teachers, head teachers and parents can get up-to-date with the latest information and resources for young language learners.

The CILT Primary Languages Show at the new Liverpool ACC venue includes a free exhibition where parents interested in seeing their children get ahead with language learning can find out about the latest resources and news. (04/03/09)

Read press release

Primary school teachers to celebrate language learning with Asset Languages
Teachers are invited to raise a glass to celebrate progress in early language learning at a drinks reception sponsored by Asset Languages at next week’s CILT Primary Languages Show, the biggest event of the year for everyone involved in teaching languages in primary schools.

The drinks reception will take place on the evening of Friday 6 March, the first day of the two-day conference in Liverpool. Delegates will no doubt appreciate the chance to wind down after trying a wide range of workshops on topics including using animation, puppets, film and the Eurovision song contest in the languages classroom.

Asset Languages, OCR’s step-by-step assessment scheme based on the government’s Languages Ladder, will be giving away a taster of its new support material for primary languages. The material, developed in association with CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is designed to help teachers and advisors using the KS2 Framework to evaluate pupils’ progression in languages. (02/03/09)

Read press release

Conference shows benefits of speaking a community language
A national conference taking place in Southampton in July will explore the benefits for children and teenagers of being able to speak a language other than English. Although 300 languages are spoken in London alone, many young people who speak another language with their family are unaware of the benefits that their language skills can bring them, both now and later in life.

Raissa is studying her A levels at a North London school, and is busy making plans for her future. ‘I’m doing medicine at university,’ she says. ‘I think my language will be useful in the future with patients of Pakistani background or Indian background.’

Unlike many UK teenagers who speak another language at home, Urdu-speaker Raissa has come to see her language skills as an asset and is thinking about how she may be able to use them in her future career. Her comments are taken from a video on the website for Our Languages, a project aimed at raising the status of community languages. (27/02/09)

Community Languages National Conference

Spanish embassy seeks exceptional schools and colleges
The Spanish Embassy’s Consejería de Educación is looking for examples of outstanding Spanish teaching in schools and colleges to win a prestigious award. The Colegio e Instituto Español del Año initiative invites applications from UK primary schools, secondary schools and FE colleges which can demonstrate excellence in the promotion and teaching of Spanish.

The embassy will particularly be looking for examples of outstanding Spanish provision, innovation, extracurricular activities and the use of ICT and international links. Winning schools and colleges will be invited to a reception at the Spanish Embassy in London on Friday 3 July.

Schools and colleges, from both the state and independent sector, are encouraged to submit their application form and portfolio of evidence by Monday 20 April. (24/02/09)

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Tribute to Lord Dearing, ‘champion of language learning’
Lord Dearing, author of the influential Languages Review, has died last week aged 78 after a battle with cancer.

Kathryn Board, Chief Executive of CILT said: ‘This is very sad news indeed. Lord Dearing was a valued champion of language learning and will be greatly missed. At CILT we are very fortunate to have worked closely with Lord Dearing both during the Languages Review and more recently. His appearance at our Languages and Film Talent Award (LAFTAs) ceremony in September demonstrated his great sense of fun and his engagement with young people, both of which were central to his vision for language learning in schools.’ (24/02/09)

North London student wins best young translator prize
An A level student from North London has been named Britain’s best young translator by the European Commission (EC). Sabrina Vashisht from Chorleywood, Herts, was awarded the UK prize in the Europe-wide Juvenes Translatores competition last week.

Sabrina, who is studying A levels in French, Spanish, Russian, and Maths at North London Collegiate School, will travel to Brussels in April to receive a prize for the best UK translation from the European Commissioner for Multilingualism, Mr Leonard Orban.

The commission received over 2000 entries from schools across Europe, in 147 different language combinations. Students taking part were given two hours to translate a text on the topic of multilingualism from one of the 23 official languages of the European Union into a language of their choice. The entries were marked by a panel of professional translators from the EC’s Directorate-General for Translation (DGT).

Commissioner Orban said ‘The contest provides a true challenge in testing the language skills learned at school. At the same time, students get a foretaste of what it is like to work as a translator.’

The names of the 27 winners, as well as the winning translations, are available to view on the European Commission website.

Lack of native English interpreters threatens European Commission
The European Commission’s interpreting service faces a potential succession crisis of linguists with English as a native language, according to a statement released today. Without an increase in the number of qualified graduates, the EU Institutions are set to lose at least one third of their English language interpreters by 2015 due to retirement.

As almost all meetings at the European Commission (EC) require English interpretation, the lack of native English speaking interpreters poses a serious problem. If no English interpreters are available, meetings are cancelled even if interpreters for the other languages can be found.

David Smith, Head of the EC’s interpreting unit said: ‘We are facing a severe shortage of English mother tongue interpreters. It’s not just the European Institutions - it’s a problem which is arising worldwide. One of the reasons is the growing demand for interpreters, along with the fact that a good number of our staff are reaching retirement age.’

European Commission video on YouTube

Flying High conference gives a lift to language teaching
Last week’s Flying High conference for language teachers left participants feeling uplifted after a diverse range of workshops gave them a chance to share thoughts and ideas. Jointly run by CILT and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), the conference last Thursday in Loughborough included discussions of issues such as community languages, the new curriculum, and transition.

Terry Lamb of the University of Sheffield gave the audience a taste of what the new Diploma in Languages will look when it launches in 2011; Lid King, the National Director for Languages, answered questions on the secondary languages strategy; and Alan Davies of Bishop Rawstorne School offered his thoughts on the importance of language learning from the perspective of a non-linguist head teacher in a Language College.

Neil Hillman, Language Teaching Advisor at CILT said, ‘The quality and content of the various presentations and workshops was extremely high this year. I’m sure colleagues have gone back to their schools with plenty of ideas to think about, share and discuss.’

To find out more about CILT’s programme of training events, visit our events calendar.
(18/02/09)

CILT library introduces monthly late night opening
Due to the success of the library open evening in January, the CILT Resources Library will be introducing late night opening hours once a month from Wednesday 25 March.

Usually open to the public on weekdays from 10.30am-5.00pm, the library will now stay open until 7pm on the last Wednesday of each month, excluding August and December. Confirmed dates so far include 25 March, 29 April, 27 May, 24 June and 29 July.

The CILT Resources Library is the UK’s largest sources of materials for language learning, teaching and research, containing over 14,000 titles in book, software and audio form. The library is also an ideal place to study, browse and pick up resources and information on languages.

CILT Librarian Emma Woods said: ‘Since moving to our new premises at Waterloo, I have had a great number of enquiries from people who would like to visit the library but are unable to come in during daytime opening hours. I’m delighted that the extended opening hours will make our resources library available to more people than ever.’ (17/02/09)

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Floella Benjamin to open CILT Primary Languages Show
CILT is delighted to announce that broadcaster, writer, producer and children’s activist Floella Benjamin OBE will be joining us as a keynote speaker at the 13th CILT Primary Languages Show in Liverpool in March.

Although many people will know Floella from her years as a presenter for BBC’s Playschool and other programmes, she is also well known as passionate campaigner for children’s rights. She recently set up Touching Success, a charity aimed at children and young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and culturally diverse communities. (05/02/09)

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Report shows high value of CILT Comenius Network CPD to language teaching
An improvement in language teaching practice and increased personal confidence were the most commonly reported outcomes of regional training courses run by the CILT Comenius Network last year, according to a report released this month.

The report shows the results of a survey and telephone interviews with participants at a random sample of 50 nationwide events between September 2007 and March 2008. Participants demonstrated a general satisfaction with the events, considering them relevant, useful, and beneficial to their teaching practice. 100% of ratings were excellent or good, and all participants said that they intended to further their professional development through future events. (03/02/09)

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CILT events calendar

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Last updated 2 July, 2009