The Modern Foreign Languages Department at the Alun School
aims to ensure in every pupil the highest degree of confidence,
fluency and enjoyment of foreign languages and culture.
Pupils are encouraged to grow in self-worth through the broadening
of both interest and intellect, but more especially through
the sense of achievement.
Languages in Action 2000
An all Wales project to promote enhanced
languages capability in Key Stage 3 and 4 and to increase
take up of MFL in Key Stage 4.
The National Assembly for Wales Education
Department in conjunction with CILT ACCAC and ESTYN (formally
OHMCI) recently announced a major new project to promote MFL
capability in Wales and to reverse the decline in the number
of pupils who continue to study MFL in Key Stage 4.
The project will be managed and co-ordinated
by CILT on behalf of the National Assembly Education Department.
We are one of 13 schools and 2 LEAs in Wales
who have been selected to participate in this project.
The main aims of which are:
-
To convince pupils in years 8 and 9 of
the attractions, opportunities and advantages offered
by continued study of MFL.
-
To increase motivation and improve performance
of those pupils in years 10 and 11, who have opted to
study MFL.
-
To develop more practical and inclusive
approaches to foreign languages in schools and to establish
MFL within the work related curriculum.
We are currently undertaking a project with
our Year 9 French and German classes, working in groups with
the emphasis on increased use of ICT. Pupils are producing
story information booklets, using ICT equipment, including
scanners, video cameras and digital cameras.
In year 10 we are looking at work related
situations through E-mail links with pupils in target language
countries. This will be developed over the next term.
We will report developments in this project.
Watch this space !!!
Languages in Action
Stage 1 – Project 2000
The project was carried out among pupils in year 9 German
and French groups. The principal aims were to promote
Modern Foreign Languages, to further motivate boys and
to increase the use of ICT within the department.
Pupils worked in small groups within each teaching group.
The objective was to produce informational or fictional
storybooks for year 7 pupils to read.
In the planning stages pupils chose their topics. In
order to achieve a wide range of topics we participated
in class brainstorming sessions studied textbooks, Mr
Men books and used examples of previous work as stimuli.
Once pupils had their topic in mind they used course
book materials, dictionaries and the assistance of native
speakers for help with the language and produced a storyboard.
In the final stages pupils word processed their work
using Word and Power Point and used Clipart for illustrations.
Pupils also made good use of the digital cameras, which
gave a professional touch to the storybooks.
In many aspects this project has been successful. It
has contributed greatly to the development of key skills:
- Problem solving – dictionary work
- Working as a group
- ICT skills
- Communication
Pupils enjoyed this project. It had a motivational effect,
particularly with boys who worked well when focused on
a topic of their own choice and interest.
