Immersion courses in Spain

9 April 2024 (Consejería de Educación)

British/Irish teachers of Spanish can apply for a one-week immersion course for Summer 2024 in Ávila, Segovia or Santander (a good command of Spanish is required).

The grant covers the course, accommodation and meals, as well as the cultural programme. The grant does not cover the journey to Spain or the return to the UK. Travel and/or health insurance is also not included

This call is not for Spanish nationals.

Visit the Consejería de Educación website for more information and apply by 24 April 2024.

Read more...

Online workshops for teachers and Spanish courses for students under 18 in Salamanca

1 March 2024 (Consejería de Educación)

Online workshop

The next in the series of online workshops being run by Consejería de Educación during February and March 2024 takes place 12 March. Follow the link below for more information and to register: 

• Upcoming workshop, Tuesday 12 March 2024 (16:30-17:30): « La gramática española a través del verso y la poesía», organised alongside Andalucia TRADE and with the collaboration of Maravillas Programas Internacionales.

More information and free registration (before 10 March).

Spanish courses for students under 18 in Salamanca

Cursos Internacionales (University of Salamanca) is offering a programme in Spanish aimed at students under 18.

The programme (ranging from 1 to 2 weeks in length) includes lessons and full board accommodation in a residence, health insurance for the duration of the program, afternoon activities and transfer to and from the airport.

For further information see the attached brochure or email internat@usal.es

Professional Enrichment Programme: application deadline approaching!

20 February 2024 (UK-German Connection)

The Professional Enrichment Programme offers qualified UK teachers a funded opportunity to visit a German school for 1-2 weeks during the 2023-24 school year to develop skills and knowledge through intercultural exchange.

The programme is open to teachers of all disciplines and you don’t need to have an existing link with Germany to take part. Teachers can either visit their partner school or be matched with a German host school.

Application deadline: 1 March 2024 

A Q&A webinar is being held on Tuesday 27 February at 4.30pm to answer your questions and provide guidance.

Read more...

German Pupil Courses 2024

9 February 2024 (UK-German Connection)

Applications for UK-German Connection's summer courses for German learners and CPD opportunities for teachers are now open. Encourage your pupils to apply for this unique chance to spend two weeks in Germany, bringing language learning to life!

German Pupil Courses

• Two-week partly-funded course in July or August for pupils in Year 10 & 12 (England, Wales) / Year 11 & 13 (Northern Ireland) / S3 & S5 (Scotland).
• Open to enthusiastic and committed students who have been learning German for at least two years and have an interest in experiencing the culture first-hand through excursions, lessons, and staying with a host family.
• Apply by 1 March 2024

“The opportunity to have German language and cultural lessons at a school, therefore experiencing the school day, and generally connecting with others in the group - as well as host siblings - was invaluable”
(2023 Participant)

CPD opportunity for teachers

• Paid roles available for qualified secondary UK teachers to act as group leaders on the German Pupil Courses in July or August and accompany a group of pupils to Germany.
• Immerse yourself in school and cultural life in Germany whilst leading language lessons and workshops in an authentic environment and gaining invaluable leadership skills.
• Deadline: 1 March 2024

“I am so very grateful to have had the faith shown in me to be a Group Leader. I absolutely loved working with the participants and all the German teachers; there was just such a feel-good atmosphere to the whole experience.”
(2023 Group Leader)

Upcoming Q&A webinars

We’re hosting Q&A webinars for pupils, parents, and teachers throughout the application period to offer guidance and answer your questions. Upcoming dates:

• Thursday, 22 February
• Monday, 26 February
• Wednesday, 28 February

Should you require further information, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at pupilprogrammes@ukgermanconnection.org

UK-German Connection initiatives

30 January 2024 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a range of opportunities for UK-German school partnerships. The following initiatives are currently available. Follow the title link for more information:

German Pupil Courses – Applications open

Applications for the German Pupil Courses this summer are now open. These 2-week immersive courses offers UK pupils the opportunity to experience Germany and its culture, language and lifestyle first-hand through spending time with host families and undertaking cultural activities.

Pupils in S3 or S5 who are learning German and are enthusiastic to gain an insight into life in Germany and practise their language skills are encouraged to apply.

Applications are open until 1 March 2024

CPD Opportunity – German Pupil Course Group Leaders

Paid roles are available for secondary teachers to act as group leaders on the summer German Pupil Courses, accompanying a group of 12 pupils to Germany and spend two weeks immersed in the daily life, German language, and culture.

Applications are open until 1 March 2024

Applications for Professional Enrichment Programme are now open

The Professional Enrichment Programme offers qualified UK teachers a funded opportunity to visit a German school for 1-2 weeks during the 2023-24 school year to develop skills and knowledge through intercultural exchange.

The programme is open to teachers of all disciplines and you don’t need to have an existing link with Germany to take part. Teachers can either visit their partner school or be matched with a German host school.

Application deadline: 1 March 2024 

On Thursday, 1 February and Tuesday, 27 February at 4.30pm we are hosting a Q&A webinar to answer your questions and provide guidance.

Upcoming training opportunities for teachers of Spanish

25 January 2024 (Consejería de Educación)

The Consejería de Educación offers a range of professional learning opportunities for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant link below to find out more about each upcoming event and to register:

• 'Artifical intelligences and tasks for the ELE classroom', Tuesday 6 February
  
  This is the first in a series of online workshops for Spanish teachers from February to March 2024. Register for the free workshop by 4 February.
   
• Grants for an immersion course in Spain (Ávila, Segovia and Santander) 
  
  14 one-week immersion courses in July or August 2024 in Ávila, Segovia or Santander aimed at British/Irish teachers of Spanish.
  
  The grant covers the course, accommodation and meals, as well as the cultural programme.  The grant does not cover the journey to Spain or the return to the UK. Travel and/or health insurance is also not included.
  
  This call is not for Spanish nationals. Application period will be announced from March.
   
• Immersion course in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), April 2024
  
  Registration is now open for the Spanih teacher training course "Curso de actualización para el profesorado de ELE: lengua, cultura y didáctica" organised by the University of Santiago de Compostela.
  
  ​Dates: 8 - 12 April 2024
  
  Number of hours: 20 (face-to face)
  
  Contents:
  ​
  • Nuevas tecnologías en el aula de ELE
  • Dinámicas de proyecto, actividades cooperativas y pedagogías innovadoras
  • Lengua y cultura española( literatura, cine y música)
  • El Camino de Santiago en el aula el ELE
  • Actividades culturales incluidas en el curso:
  • Visita guiada a la ciudad monumental
  • Visita guiada al Patrimonio Histórico artístico de la Universidad
  • More information about registration, prices and accomodation:  gene.gonzalez@usc.es

Upcoming UK-German opportunities

16 January 2024 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a range of opportunities to foster partnerships between schools in the UK and Germany. Follow the relevant links below to learn more about their upcoming initiatives:

For teachers

• Professional Enrichment Programme - funded opportunity for qualified UK teachers to visit a German school for one or two weeks during the summer term of 2023-24. Apply by 1 March 2024. You can also find out more at the Q&A webinar on 1 February.

For students

• German pupil courses - open to Year 10 and 12 pupils (and equivalent years in Scotland and Northern Ireland) offering pupils the chance to spend two immersive weeks in Germany experiencing the culture and language. Applications open 24 January and close on 1 March 2024. Teachers of German can also experience the immersion and excitement by applying to be a Group Leader and accompany a group of motivated young people and surround yourself with natives to sharpen your language skills.
   
• Café Connect for Schools and Youth Groups - adapted from our classic ‘Café Connect‘, for individual young people, we are now offering this virtual exchange café to partner schools and youth groups as a chance to meet up online in a friendly atmosphere and take part in fun, interactive activities, and group discussions on current topics.
   
• Still & Sparkling Youth Newsletter - share this opportunity with creative individuals aged 14+ who would like to contribute to our youth newsletter. Successful submissions will be published in our next edition and featured on our social media channels. Deadline: 9 February 2024.

Funding

• Grants for joint activities - grants are available for schools and youth groups with a partner in Germany for planning visits and group exchange trips. Applications can be submitted at any time provided they reach us at least six weeks before the start of the trip or project. Sign up for Q&A webinars on funding strands on the webpage.

If you have any further questions about the range of opportunities available, email the team at partnerships@ukgermanconnection.org

Teach abroad as an English Language Assistant

27 November 2023 (British Council)

Applications to be an English Language Assistant in 2024/25 are now open! 

Established in 1905, the British Council’s English Language Assistants (ELA) programme is a major UK mobility initiative that offers paid teaching placements abroad, providing the perfect opportunity to travel, teach and gain invaluable experiences along the way.  Every year we send around 2,000 English Language Assistants from the UK to support the teaching of English in 13 destinations around the world.

Living and working overseas is also a great way to enhance language learning and hone language skills. 

Visit the British Council website for full details and to register to join the free information webinar on 18 December.

Deadline for applications is 1 February 2024. 

Read more...

Professional Enrichment Programme

21 November 2023 (UK-German Connection)

UK teachers interested in visiting a German school in the spring or summer term of 2023-24 can now apply to take part in the UK-German Connection's Professional Enrichment Programme.

Successful applicants will receive a grant to help cover expenses for their in-person visit to a German school on the basis of a brief costing plan.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information about the programme and to apply by Friday 15 December 2023. You can also register for an online Q&A webinar taking place on Monday, 27 November, 4.30-5pm.

Read more...

Summer 2024 Spanish immersion courses and online CPD opportunities

31 October 2023 (Consejería de Educación)

The following professional learning opportunities are available for UK teachers of Spanish:

Immersion courses in Salamanca (Summer 2024)

• Grants to follow a one-week Spanish language course at the University of Salamanca aimed at Spanish teachers in the UK or Ireland: language, culture and teaching resources. Various dates offered during June and July 2024.
• Visit the Consejería de Educación website for more information and registration.

Free CPD online sessions for teachers of Spanish (13 & 14 November 2023)

• Register for the free online CPD sessions organised by FEDELE on 13 and 14 November 2023. Ten hours of free training which can be followed live or recorded until 31 December 2023. Certificate of participation will be issued by FEDELE.
• Full programme and registration on the FEDELE website.

UK-German Connection funding

24 October 2023 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection's Flexible Funding Scheme supports joint activities and projects between UK and German partner schools and youth groups, including visits or virtual activities.

The next deadline for funding applications is approaching. Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and submit applications by 31 October.

Read more...

Languages beyond school

28 September 2023 (SCILT)

Are you a student, or do you know a student, considering pursuing language studies beyond secondary education? Check out the Beyond School section of the SCILT website. The site lists university and college language courses here in Scotland, links to UCAS and university guides UK-wide, and help and advice on study abroad options and volunteering overseas.

It's a useful resource for teachers and Careers Guidance staff to highlight to students as the UCAS application process is now underway.

Read more...

UK-German Connection opportunities

21 September 2023 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection provides opportunities for young people, teachers and schools in the UK and Germany to come together. Their initiatives range from providing grants and bursaries for partnership activities, pupil courses and scholarships, the opportunity to host a teacher from Germany, virtual café sessions for young people to meet in a safe space and much more. The following activity deadlines are fast approaching. Follow the relevant link for more information:

• 25 September: deadline for Host a Teacher from Germany Programme
• 5 October: Café Connect begins again
• 20 October: deadline for School Partnerships Bursaries
• 31 October: deadline for Flexible Funding Scheme
• 31 October: deadline for Cultural Exchange Ambassadors

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information about the range of available opportunities.

Read more...

‘It redefined my values’: should you go on a year abroad?

10 September 2023 (The Guardian)

For Sonya Barlow, studying in Rome was the best experience of her life. Now a BBC presenter, she believes spending part of her business degree in Italy in 2013/14 “made me who I am”.

“I had never lived away from my family home but suddenly I was living alone in a different country. It redefined my values and allowed me to be me: I explored Italy, focused on studying, balanced that with fun and laid great foundations for moving into the world of work,” she says.

By her second semester in Rome, Barlow was able to take her classes in Italian: “It was hard, but stepping out of my comfort zone set me up for success.”

Read more...

Immersion courses and professional learning for teachers of Spanish

8 June 2023 (Consejería de Educación)

The Consejería de Educación in the United Kingdom has several upcoming professional learning opportunities for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant links below for more information and to book your place:

IMMERSION COURSES IN SPAIN

Spanish language course in Salamanca

• Grants to follow a 1 week Spanish language course in Salamanca aimed at Primary or Secondary teachers during summer. 3 different levels: beginners, intermediate and advanced Spanish. Information and registration on the Consejería de Educación website. 

Course on Didactics in Castilla y León

• Grants for a course on didactics aimed at teachers of Spanish in the UK and Ireland. 1 week course during summer in Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos or Palencia. A high command of Spanish is required. Information and registration on the Consejería de Educación website.

MORE CPD OPPORTUNITIES

Spanish Day in Edinburgh – Saturday 17 June

• Face-to-face training day for teachers of Spanish in primary, secondary, university and further education. Free registration.

Spanish Workshops in London – Saturday 24 June

• Big Spanish Day at the Vicente Cañada Blanch Spanish Institute in London. Aimed at teachers of Spanish, it includes a wide offer of practical workshops on different aspects complemented by other attractive aspects related to culture in Spanish: the gastronomic proposal for lunch and the cultural workshops that close the day: theatre and «sevillanas» dance. Full programme and registration on the Consejería de Educación website.

Professional learning for teachers of Spanish

28 March 2023 (Consejería de Educación)

The Spanish Embassy Education Office has several professional learning opportunities available for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant link below for further information.

Online workshop – Tuesday 25 April (16:30)

• Aprender a cuestionar: textos y contextos Geniales para desarrollar la competencia crítica en el aula de ELE, by Álvaro Espada Benito (editorial editorial enclave-ELE).. More information and registration via the website link above.

Immersion courses in Salamanca - Dates available June to September 2023

• One-week Spanish language course - The University of Salamanca, its International Courses and the Junta de Castilla y León, offer scholarships for active Spanish teachers outside of Spain to take a week-long course on Spanish language and culture and didactic updating in Salamanca. Several dates are offered between June and September. Register via the above website link.

Spanish workshop in London - 24 June 2023

• Save the date! More information and registration coming soon.

CPD opportunities for teachers of Spanish

2 March 2023 (Consejería de Educación)

The Spanish Embassy Education Office has several professional learning opportunities available for UK teachers of Spanish. Follow the relevant link below for further information.

Next online workshop – Tuesday 7 March (16:30)

• Actividades gamificadas para enseñar léxico en la clase de español para niños, CLIC Cádiiz. More information and registration via the website link. Deadline: 5 March. 

Immersion courses in Salamanca - April 2023

• One-week Spanish language course - Grants to follow a one-week Spanish language course in Salamanca aimed at primary or secondary teachers at Easter. Four different levels: absolute beginners, beginners, intermediate and advanced Spanish. Register via the website link.
• Course on Didactics in Salamanca - Grants for a course on didactics aimed at secondary and university teachers of Spanish in the UK and Ireland. One-week course in Salamanca at Easter. Register via the website link.

March 2023: Spanish teacher training UK tour

Edinumen Publishing House and the Consejería de Educación are co- organising a series of face-to-face training sessions for teachers of Spanish to take place throughout March 2023 in five British cities:

• Manchester, Saturday 11/03/23
• Oxford, Tuesday 14/03/23
• London, Wednesday 15/03/23
• Cambridge, Thursday 16/03/23
• Glasgow, Saturday 18/03/23

Registration is free and already open. The workshops will be held in Spanish. Visit the website for the programme and registration links.

Summer courses in Germany

8 February 2023 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers summer opportunities for German learners; these bring language-learning to life by combining language lessons with cultural trips and excursions, as well as staying with host families. The application deadline for all programmes is 1 March 2023.

The programmes are open to pupils who have been learning German for at least 2 years and are eager to actively put their German knowledge to use.

These programmes take place on different dates during July and August. More information can be found on the dedicated webpages.

• German Pupil Courses (options for S3 and S5 pupils) 
• German Scholarships Programme (for S5 pupils)

There is also an opportunity for for secondary teachers to act as group leaders on the German Pupil Courses. These are paid roles. Follow the link below for more information:

• CPD opportunity for teachers

2023 French Summer School in Rouen for Primary School Teachers

1 February 2023 (Institut français)

The Institut français du Royaume-Uni and l’Alliance française de Rouen are organising a one-week training course for non-specialist primary school teachers of French who would like to build up their confidence in the language. There are two places available for teachers in Scotland.

Training fees and accommodation will be covered by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni. Participants will have to organise and pay for their journey to and from Rouen, France.

Visit the Institut français website for more information and apply by 28 February 2023.

Read more...

International Exchange Turing applications

19 January 2023 (LFEE)

LFEE Europe & Powerlanguage are preparing two International Exchange Turing applications as consortium managers. This means that we will administer the projects on your behalf and find suitable partner schools, using part of the Organisational Budget.

Schools will receive and manage the travel and subsistence budget, which will cover mobilities for all participating pupils and teachers. 

We have two proposals to offer Scottish schools: 

1. Links with a UNESCO World Heritage school and specialist art school in Valencia and also with partners in Italy. This project would benefit learners looking to enhance skills in Music, Art, Digital Literacy and Languages.
2. Links with schools in France and Spain to support the learning of Geography - for example, coastal regions - History, Languages and Digital Literacy.

We would be delighted to support your school to engage with Turing. Last year, we made a successful application and secured 120 mobilities for learners. We hope to extend and build this capacity in Scotland through two new Turing funding proposals this year.

Please get in touch (info@lfee.net) if you would like to engage in our consortium application and we will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

Football camp in co-operation with FC St Pauli

16 January 2023 (Goethe-Institut)

Are you between 16 and 17 years old and speak German with A1+ level or want to start learning German? Do you love playing football? The football camp in Germany combines both - daily training and German lessons. In addition you will make new friends from other countries and get to know Hamburg. Registration deadline is on 31.01.2023.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information.

Read more...

German Pupil Courses & German Scholarship Programme

16 January 2023 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection's German summer courses are back!

The German Pupil Courses and German Scholarships Programme will take place as in-person events again this year, after a 3-year (virtual) break. Applications will open on 25 January, and the deadline will be 1 March 2023.

More information about each option is available via the following links:

• German Pupil Courses (options for S3 and S5 pupils) 
• German Scholarships Programme (for S5 pupils)

Teach abroad as an English Language Assistant

12 December 2022 (British Council)

The British Council’s English Language Assistants (ELA) programme is a major UK mobility initiative that offers paid teaching placements abroad, providing the perfect opportunity to travel, teach and gain invaluable experiences along the way. 

Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are open until 1 February 2023. 

Read more...

Scotland falling behind Wales in replacing Erasmus, say Lib Dems

25 October 2022 (TESS)

A replacement for the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme for Scotland is still being worked on more than two years after Brexit, says minister.

Read more...

Funding for UK-German partnerships

20 October 2022 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a range of grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups in the UK and Germany.

The next deadline for their Flexible Funding Scheme is 31 October 2022.

Visit the website for more information and to submit your application.

Read more...

Immersion courses in Spain for teachers

22 September 2022 (Consejería de Educación)

Any plans for the Autumn half-term break? Sign up and get a grant for one of the immersion courses in Spain. Full details regarding dates, course content, the grant and application form can be found by following the relevant course header link below:

• Spanish language course aimed at Primary or Secondary teachers. Blended learning programme: 1 week onsite course in Salamanca or Segovia (Autumn half-term) + self-study online course (1 year access). 4 different levels: absolute beginners, beginners, intermediate and advanced Spanish. Application deadline: 7 October. 
   
• Teaching course aimed at Secondary or University Spanish language teachers. The course content includes a number of areas in relation to teaching Spanish as a foreign language and will be delivered fully in Spanish therefore we recommend that teachers should have at least a B2 level. Application deadline: 7 October. 

Languages beyond school

20 September 2022 (SCILT)

Pupils considering furthering their language studies beyond secondary education will find a wealth of information on the Beyond School section of the SCILT website. The site contains listings of university and college language courses here in Scotland, links to UCAS and university guides UK-wide, as well as help and advice on study abroad options and volunteering overseas.

It's a useful resource for teachers and Careers Guidance staff to be aware of and highlight to students as the UCAS application process is now underway.

Read more...

UK-German funding and hosting opportunities

8 September 2022 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a wide range of initiatives for young people, schools and youth groups. The organisation aims to bring young people in the UK and Germany together through a range of grants, advisory services, networks and programmes – both face-to-face and digitally.

Follow the relevant link below to find out more about their current opportunities:

• Host a Teacher from Germany - enable primary and secondary pupils to gain an insight into German culture by hosting a teacher from Germany for 2-3 weeks next Spring.
• Funding - a range of grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups now open for applications.
• Café Connect - free virtual cultural exchange meetings giving young people aged 14-18 the chance to connect with UK and German peers through fun, interactive activities, group discussions on current topics and informal chat.
• Voyage Kids - a digital magazine for primary pupils to discover German language and culture.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for information on the full range of services available.

Read more...

Language Linking Global Thinking 2022-23

26 August 2022 (SCILT / UCMLS)

SCILT is pleased to confirm the return of the Language Linking Global Thinking programme for the 2022-23 session. Applications are now open for schools wishing to register their interest in taking part this year. 

The project links students on their year abroad with primary and secondary schools in Scotland. Students communicate with a designated class in their partner school during the course of the year to illustrate how enriching it is to spend a year abroad using a language other than English. 

While the student is abroad they keep in regular contact with the partner school using blog posts, emails and other resources. The correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language. 

Key points for teachers

• Please note this is a two-way correspondence, and schools are expected to reply to blog posts, submit questions, and fully engage with their link student. 
• Training will take place online, you will have the opportunity to learn more about successful links and to meet your link student virtually. 
• Places are limited and you are not guaranteed a link partner. We will be able to confirm your place in October.
• There is no cost for schools to participate in the programme.

Visit the LLGT webpage for more information on Language Linking Global Thinking, and to read some of the student blogs from previous years.

To register please complete the form via the link below by Friday 16 September.

Read more...

Spanish course for teachers: blended learning programme (León, 2022)

31 May 2022 (Consejería de Educación)

The University of León and Mester Academy have organised a Spanish course aimed at British and Irish teachers interested in learning or improving their Spanish language skills.

The blended learning programme consists of 33 hours of self-study online from mid-June plus one week Spanish language course in León (Spain) in August 2022.

• ONLINE + ONSITE COURSE
• 3 DIFFERENT LEVELS: absolute beginners, beginners and intermediate
• A GRANT to cover most of the costs will be offered
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: 13 June

All information regarding dates, course content, the grant and the application form can be found on the Spanish Embassy Education Office website.

Read more...

Immersion course in León - August 2022

17 May 2022 (Consejería de Educación)

Any plans for this summer? Sign up for the Teaching and Culture course in León for Spanish Secondary School and University teachers.

We are offering grants for Secondary School and University teachers of Spanish to enrol in our course in León in collaboration with the University of León and Mester Academy during August 2022.

The course content includes a number of areas in relation to teaching Spanish as a foreign language along with cultural activities. There are three starting dates to choose from 31 July-6 August, from 7-13 August, or from 14-20 August 2022. This course will be delivered fully in Spanish therefore we recommend that teachers should have at least a B2 level.

Visit the Spanish Education office website for more information and to apply by 31 May 2022.

Read more...

UK-German connections

29 April 2022 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a range of initiatives and support to help UK-German school partnerships thrive. Follow the appropriate link below to learn more about the opportunities available to schools and young people:

• Host a teacher from Germany - UK schools interested in hosting a teacher from Germany in 2022-23 can register now. Q&A webinars are also being offered during May and June for all UK schools interested in finding out more.
• Funding programmes - A range of grants are available for joint activities between schools and youth groups. Primary, secondary, FE colleges and youth groups can apply now.
• Still & Sparkling: UK-German Youth Newsletter - Written by young people, for young people, the newsletter is aimed at ages 14-25, and includes content in both English and German. The latest edition is now available online.
• Café Connect - Sessions are a great opportunity for 14-18 year-olds to practise their German and explore cultural topics with peers in the UK and Germany. Meetings are free to attend and give young people an informal and comfortable environment to make friends and develop linguistic and intercultural skills. 

The organisation is keen to hear from young people about their views on the future of UK-German youth relations and invites young people aged 12-25 to complete a 'Have your say' survey. The survey closes on 24 June 2022.

Apply for an immersion course in Spain (Ávila and Segovia)

25 April 2022 (Consejería de Educación)

There are 4 one-week immersion courses taking place in July 2022 in Ávila or Segovia, aimed at British teachers of Spanish (a B2 command of Spanish is required).

The grant covers the course, accommodation (6 nights) and meals, as well as the optional cultural programme. The grant does not cover the journey to Spain or the return to the UK.

This call is not for Spanish nationals.

Application deadline: 7 May 2022.

Visit the website for more information and to apply.

Read more...

One week immersion course for Spanish teachers

29 March 2022 (Consejería de Educación)

Any plans for this summer? Sign up for the Teaching and Culture course in Burgos for Spanish Secondary School and University teachers.

We are offering 100 grants for Secondary School and University teachers of Spanish to enrol in our course in Burgos in collaboration with the University of Burgos and Mester Academy during July 2022.

The course content includes a number of areas in relation to teaching Spanish as a foreign language along with cultural activities. There are three starting dates to choose from 3-9 July, from 10-16 July, or from 24-30 July 2022. This course will be delivered fully in Spanish therefore we recommend that teachers should have at least a B2 level.

For all information regarding the course and how to sign up can be found on the Consejería de Educación website.

Read more...

Grants for joint activities between UK-German schools and youth groups

28 March 2022 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a range of grants to primary and secondary schools (including SEN schools), FE colleges and youth groups for UK-German activities. 

They also offer school partnership bursaries to help schools maintain existing links with Germany.

Funding applications are now open! Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information on the grants available.

Read more...

Teaching in a Chinese bilingual school: a guide

1 March 2022 (TES)

Co-teachers, a Chinese curriculum, different pedagogies – teaching in a bilingual school in China can be a steep learning curve but very rewarding, too, as these teachers explain.

Read more...

Turing Scheme 2022-23

28 February 2022 (Scottish Government)

Year 2 of the Turing Scheme is launching today. This will provide organisations with the opportunity to register projects taking place in the 2022-23 Academic Year.

There are four key actions that can be taken from 28 February:

Visit the updated Turing website to:

• Register to apply for funding
• Subscribe to the new Capita newsletter mailing list
• Sign up for webinars
• Start planning your organisation’s application

Note the programme is now administered by Capita on behalf of the DfE. They have a dedicated team of staff available to help plan and submit applications. Support will be available from 28 February via the Contact Us page on the website and via an online system for those who register.

Read more...

Teaching and culture course in Palencia - April 2022

22 February 2022 (Consejería de Educación)

Any plans for the Easter holidays? Sign up for the Teaching and Culture course in Palencia for Spanish Secondary School and University teachers.

We are offering 30 grants for Secondary School and University teachers of Spanish to enrol in our course in Palencia in collaboration with the University of Valladolid, INTI and Mester Academy during the Easter holidays.

The course content includes a number of areas in relation to teaching Spanish as a foreign language along with cultural activities. There are two starting dates to choose from 3-8 or 10-15 April. This course will be delivered fully in Spanish therefore we recommend that teachers should have at least a B2 level.

For all information regarding the course and how to sign up, visit the Consejería de Educación website and apply by 4 March 2022.

Please note that this course is separate to the Spanish Language Course we will be running in Palencia with all places now filled.

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PASCH football camp with the St Pauli Football Club in Hamburg

14 February 2022 (Goethe-Institut)

Want to take part in a PASCH football camp with the St. Pauli Football Club in Hamburg with other young people from all over Europe?

Then register NOW!

Expect a fantastic coaching session with the St Pauli FC in Hamburg, where you will be working with other (PASCH) students to improve your football skills while also having the opportunity to enhance your German language skills. If you are between 16 and 17 years old and speak German an A2 or B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and are interested in growing your football and German skills in a European camp then sign up fast as places are limited to 30 people only - 20 from PASCH schools, 10 places for non-PASCH schools.

The football camp takes place 30 April – 8 May 2022. 

In addition to the "working aspect" of the football camp with daily training and German lessons, there will of course also be an additional activities, some of which will be exclusive, such as the opportunity to tour around the Millerntor Stadium, to play black-light mini-golf or to visit Hamburg harbour and climb aboard one of city’s former sailing ships and enjoy a view of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to apply.

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Covid: Learning abroad in pandemic invaluable, say students

2 February 2022 (BBC)

For Elin Griffiths, 22, studying in France and Spain during the pandemic under the EU's Erasmus programme was "challenging" but invaluable.

The UK left that scheme following Brexit.

A £65m Welsh government education exchange programme called Taith is launching on Wednesday, which aims to provide similar opportunities.

Elin, a Cardiff University modern languages student, moved to Paris in October 2020 to work in a school. That was a week before a second national lockdown was announced in France.

Those restrictions stayed in place for six months, which meant bars and restaurants were closed.

She said: "It was challenging to move abroad in a pandemic, but I had so many opportunities that maybe I wouldn't have had if life was normal."

In her second placement, in Spain, she worked for Sevilla Football Club for three months.

The student, from Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, said there were a number of benefits to working abroad.

She said: "It's inevitable if you're immersed in a different society your language skills are going to improve, your academic skills are going to improve.

"But at the same time there are so many personal advantages as well."

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Teach abroad as an English Language Assistant

9 December 2021 (British Council)

Apply to be an English Language Assistant in 2022-23! Placements are open to candidates with language skills in French, German, Italian and Spanish – as well as selected destinations open to those from other disciplines.

Visit the British Council website to find out more and check eligibility. Apply by 1 February 2022.

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£1,000 towards your UK-German partnership - apply now!

15 November 2021 (UK-German Connection)

As travel plans and exchange activity begin to pick up once more, UK-German Connection are again offering partnership bursaries of £1,000 to help schools to keep their UK-German partnerships alive.

The bursaries can support pupil visits and joint activities taking place in 2022 and are open to both UK and German partner schools. Application is via a short online form. Deadline: 31 January 2022.

Find out more and apply on the UK-German Connection website.

If you have any questions, please contact funding@ukgermanconnection.org

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Opportunities from LFEE

9 November 2021 (LFEE )

Festival of Languages… connecting with schools from Scotland, France, Spain and Germany…

Our first Connected Learning Festival celebrates the learning and teaching of English, French and Spanish for upper primary and secondary school pupils.

Through short videos and 3D animations, our characters and their avatars take teachers and their learners from the comfort of their classroom to our virtual land where everything is possible!  

Please click on the link below for free access to the Characters presentations in English, French and Spanish.

https://connectlearn.eu/learn-more/meet-characters/

Share what learners produce with other schools from other countries on Padlet. Practitioners are given ideas on how to record what is produced by their learners and to create an exhibition which can be shared on Padlet and/or within their own school.

The Turing Programme... Send your learners to France, Spain and Germany….

LFEE Europe will build a consortium to support pupil mobilities in 2022 – 2023.

Should you be interested in sending your learners to one of the above 3 countries, get in touch with us. We will put in a bid which, if successful, will allow schools to get funding to send pupils abroad. The grant will cover all costs for pupils and accompanying teachers: travel expenses and subsistence.

We have partnered with many primary and secondary schools in France, Spain and Germany where the trip will take place. Alternatively, you can find a partner of your choice.

Should you be interested, please email us on: info@lfee.net

It would be good to write a little description of a specific theme/project you might be interested in exploring whilst abroad: sustainability, history, geography etc.

DiscoverEU travel pass

19 October 2021 (DiscoverEU)

DiscoverEU offers young people the opportunity to participate in a travel experience enabling them to take advantage of the freedom of movement throughout the European Union, explore the diversity of Europe, learn about European cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent. Furthermore, DiscoverEU enables young people to develop valuable life skills such as independence, confidence, and openness to other cultures.  

If you're 18 years old and a citizen of the European Union, apply now for your DiscoverEU travel pass. Please note UK nationals are still eligible for this round of DiscoverEU.

Visit the DiscoverEU website for full details and apply by 26 October 2021.

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Grants for professional development seminars in Germany

28 September 2021 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut UK awards scholarships for participation in language courses and professional development seminars (e.g. cultural studies; German as a foreign language theory and practice) in Germany.

You can apply for a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut if you are a teacher of German as a foreign language or are involved in the teacher training of such teachers; this also applies if you work at a PASCH school.

The courses take place at various Goethe-Institut locations around Germany and in Austria. Different options are available depending on your professional requirements.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information about the course choices and submit your funding application by 1 November 2021. 

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Flexible Funding Scheme

23 September 2021 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection's Flexible Funding Scheme supports joint activities and projects between UK and German partner schools and youth groups, including visits or virtual activities.

The grant is open to primary, secondary and SEN schools, FE colleges and youth groups in the UK and Germany. Grants of up to £10,000 are available.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and apply by 1 October 2021.

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Return to Spain 2021, Segovia edition - Grants for Spanish language teachers - Autumn 2021

17 September 2021 (Consejería de Educación)

Teacher training courses for Spanish teachers based in UK and Ireland (Segovia, October/November 2021).

The deadline for signing up for 1 of the 25 grants of a week’s teacher training programme in Segovia is 26th September. There will be three starting date options to choose from.

Who are the scholarships for?

Teachers (all nationalities can apply) who are at present teaching Spanish in Secondary schools or in Universities in the UK or Ireland.

What is the course about?

The course combines a teacher training programme based on different aspects of teaching Spanish as a foreign language (history, cinema, theatre, games, development of different linguistic skills, gamification, social media…) along with a number of fun and interesting tourist activities. The course is organised by the University of Valladolid, Mester Academy and the Governing Council of Castilla y León.

What is included in the grant?

The course (classes and cultural activities), accommodation and most meals. Those who are selected will only pay 120 euros for administrative fees and their return flight to Madrid. Transfers from Madrid to Segovia are included in the grant.

All information with regards to dates, the course programme, the grant and the application form can be found on the Spanish Embassy Education Office website. 

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Languages beyond school

17 September 2021 (SCILT)

If you have pupils considering language study once they move on from secondary education, the Beyond School section of our website contains a wealth of information about university and college language courses, study abroad and volunteering opportunities overseas. With links to UCAS and university guides it's also a useful resource for careers guidance staff to be aware of and highlight to students as the UCAS application process gets underway.

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Opportunities from UK-German Connection

12 August 2021 (UK-German Connection)

Despite the UK no longer being part of the EU, UK-German Connection remains dedicated to supporting partnerships, offering intercultural opportunities, and facilitating connections between schools, youth groups and young people themselves in both countries. 

Current opportunities include the following. Click on the relevant link for more information:

• Funding for UK-German exchange activities - Schools and youth groups with a partner in Germany can apply for grants for planning visits, taster trips and joint activities, including virtual projects. A series of Q&A webinars will take place throughout September for anyone interested in finding out more about this funding offer.
• Host a Teacher from Germany - Whether travel is going to be possible or not, you can still bring authentic German language and culture to your classroom in 2021/22. Through the Host a Teacher from Germany programme, your school can host a German teacher (virtually or face-to-face) for one, two or three weeks during the academic year, at no cost. Register by 28 September 2021 (to host in spring and/or summer 2022).
• UK-German Youth Council - Do you know any top-notch communicators with an interest in UK-German youth relations? There's still time for young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to apply for our UK-German youth council. This network will develop ideas and help co-design programmes and activities for young people in both countries. Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome and German language skills are not a requirement. Deadline: 24 August 2021.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for a full overview of their opportunities and initiatives for young people. Or register to receive their newsletters.

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School trips to UK from EU could halve as Brexit hits cultural exchanges

4 June 2021 (The Guardian)

French and German educational trip organisers bringing as many as 750,000 school pupils to the UK every year have warned that tougher post-Brexit entry requirements are likely to cut the number of young Europeans visiting Britain by half.

“We’ve already seen a big fall-off in interest,” said Edward Hisbergues, the sales manager of a leading French operator, PG Trips. “My business was 90% UK, 10% Ireland; now it’s all about Ireland. Schools are inquiring about visits to the Netherlands or Malta.”

The British government has rejected requests from organisers to exempt children taking part in short organised educational trips from new passport and visa measures due to come into effect on 1 October, saying they are needed to strengthen Britain’s borders.

The organisers said many thousands of UK host families, language schools, hotels and other businesses around the country, and especially in cities such as Canterbury that specialise in the educational market, risked suffering a significant economic impact.

They also said the new border restrictions could inflict broader and longer-term damage to Britain’s relations with Europe.

School trips “foster intercultural understanding and reduce prejudice”, wrote the German federation of leading school trip organisers, whose members run 7,000 trips a year to the UK representing more than 1.5m overnight stays.

“They forge lifelong connections with the UK, increase tolerance for people, cultures and different ways of living and thinking, and help the acquisition of language skills in the internationally most important language.”

Hisbergues said school trips abroad “really open eyes. They can inspire kids and change the course of young lives.”

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IDT Wien 2022: Mit.Sprache.Teil.Haben

31 May 2021 (Goethe-Institut)

The International Conference of German Teachers (IDT) is the largest forum in the field of German as a foreign language worldwide. It not only provides training and mediation between theory and practice, but is also an excellent opportunity for networking. The next IDT will take place 15 - 20 August 2022 in Vienna, Austria.

If you work at a Scottish school or other DaF educational organisation in Scotland and are interested in a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut Glasgow to attend, email to register your interest by 15 June 2021. Visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow website for more information.

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Re-launch of grants for UK-German Partnership activities

17 May 2021 (UK-German Connection)

We’re delighted to announce the re-launch of our new grants for UK-German partnership activities! 

Our refreshed funding offer is similar to the grants we offered before but has been adapted to recent external developments and the changing landscape of international activity.

Schools and youth groups with a partner in Germany can now apply for the following grants: 

• Partnership Visit Fund - staff planning visits. Visit your partners to kick-start your link and plan future activities. Deadline: rolling.
• Instant Impact - first-time taster trips for young people. Give your pupils / young people the chance to meet their peers in Germany and gain an insight into the life and culture of your partner school or group. Deadline: rolling.
• Flexible Funding Scheme - joint thematic projects and activities, including virtual partnership activities and/or reciprocal visits. Work together on thematic activities and engage in intercultural dialogue. Deadlines: 16 July, 1 October 2021.

For an overview of the grants available, as well as guidelines and application forms, please visit the UK-German Connection funding webpage. The page includes the option to sign up for Q&A webinars to find out more about the funding offer. Follow links to the individual grant pages to register for the webinars.

If you have plans for upcoming activities and would like to discuss your ideas, please contact us via funding@ukgermanconnection.org - we’re here to help!

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Turing Scheme - final call for schools seeking international visit funding

22 April 2021 (British Council)

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to receive funding for international pupil placements through the Turing Scheme.

Deadline and support - although the schools deadline is fast approaching (midday 7 May 2021) there is a range of support tools to help you apply, including application tutorials and guidance documents.

Finding partners - you will not be required to provide specific details of your partners at application stage, but you will need to detail the type of partnership you intend to establish. Find out more about finding partners.

Number of participants - there are no limits imposed on the number of participants you can take on your international visit. Remember to include all your proposed costs for pupils who may require extra support – grants can always be revised downwards but you cannot request additional funds later. 

Consortia - if you are applying as a consortium on behalf of multiple schools, a single application can cover all your proposed activity. Alternatively, you may wish to submit more than one application. It is important that each application covers different schools and activities.   

Jane Racz, Director, Turing Scheme Delivery Partner, says, “The Turing Scheme will enable young people to gain life experience of other cultures, languages and classrooms across the globe. It will open doors to learners, broadening horizons, raising self-esteem, improving attainment and ensure a more equitable learning environment for young people.”

Apply now for activities that can take place in the academic year 2021/22.

As the Delivery Partner for the Turing Scheme for schools, British Council is here to help – please get in touch if you have any queries.

Thousands of UK language students left in limbo as Brexit hits travel plans

23 February 2021 (The Guardian)

Thousands of UK students hoping to spend the year abroad are caught in limbo after facing major disruption to their travel plans due to post-Brexit red tape and costs, in respect of which universities say they received inadequate guidance from the government.

Coordinators of academic years abroad who spoke to the Guardian said there had been limited information from the Foreign Office ahead of Brexit on the onerous requirements that the shift in their status would incur in EU countries.

Current advice differs according to the consulate and often conflicts with information from local embassies, with the result that many students have had to cancel or postpone placements, the academics said.

“I don’t think anybody was fully aware of the extent of the entanglement of the UK with the EU. Like any sector – the same goes for fishing, transport and logistics – the university sector is grappling with the complexities of the situation that weren’t known until it happened,” said Claire Gorrara, dean of research and innovation at Cardiff University and chair of the University Council of Modern Languages.

As of 1 January 2021, students arriving in EU countries must submit large amounts of paperwork to obtain visas for their stay, with requirements differing by country. Students must also demonstrate that they can afford their stay in some countries, including proof of more than €6,000 (£5,194) in their bank account in Austria, Italy and Portugal, or of an income of €700-€800 a month in Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

Nigel Harkness, a pro-vice-chancellor and French professor at Newcastle University, said academics and students were unable to prepare for these changes before 1 January. “Most EU countries weren’t in a position to confirm what their own arrangements were because we hadn’t confirmed them on our side, so this has created extra bureaucracy, and it’s been frustrating. We’ve all been developing policy and processes on the hoof.”

Despite the new rules coming into force nearly two months ago, academics said many students were still stuck in the UK awaiting further instructions or attempting to decipher conflicting information. Some students who remained in EU countries over Christmas to avoid Brexit complications have been told they must return to the UK to apply for their visas.

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Fears language degrees at risk as Erasmus replacement focuses on UK trade agenda

19 February 2021 (The Guardian)

The dramatic fall in students taking language degrees in the UK could accelerate if the government fails to fund the year abroad in Europe after next year, universities are warning.

Students of modern languages have to spend their third year studying or working abroad in order to pass their degree, and academics say this is the main attraction of many courses. Now, with the UK no longer taking part in the EU Erasmus scheme, there are fears for the future of the traditional European year abroad and for many language courses, with 2020 admissions already down 38% on 10 years ago.

About 15,000 British students a year, across all subjects, used Erasmus to travel to universities in Europe for three to 12 months during their degree. But the universities minister, Michelle Donelan, said earlier this month that Erasmus did not offer “value for money” for taxpayers.

Instead, the government’s replacement programme, the £110m Turing scheme, has a new emphasis on “worldwide” rather than European travel, to countries such as Australia or the US. It is only a one-year commitment, running from September 2021 to August 2022, which leaves a big question mark over placements starting next autumn – when those now in their first year of a language course will be due to set off abroad.

Prof Adam Watt, head of modern languages and cultures at the University of Exeter, a member of the Russell group, says: “If I’m an 18-year-old signing up to do a language degree now, I want to know I’ll have a guaranteed place on a year abroad in two years’ time with financial support. But we can’t make that promise. We can’t confirm there is definitely a scheme in place.”

Language degrees have taken a battering, with numbers of modern language undergraduates more than halving between 2008-9 and 2017-18, and universities fear the current uncertainty could cause even more serious damage. According to the admissions service, Ucas, 3,830 students were accepted on to modern language degrees in 2020, down 38% from 6,165 in 2010. At least nine modern languages departments have closed in the past decade.

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Brexit: Boris Johnson's decision to quit Erasmus betrays lie that Britain is leaving EU, not Europe

30 December 2020 (The Scotsman)

There is an old Czech proverb which says that you live a new life for every language you speak. It was coined in a country where even minority languages are widely spoken, but its relevance is universal.

My family, like so many others, has its own stories of how language opened doors and made possible fantastic journeys into new countries and new cultures.

It began with my aunt, the daughter of a shipyard machinist, who had a natural aptitude for languages from a young age. Her skill and interest was encouraged as much as possible in 1960s Port Glasgow, but it was only when she enrolled at the old Langside College that others realised her potential.

Within a few years, she found herself working as a translator in Geneva for the United Nations. In time, she returned home to start a family, but the friendships she forged in Switzerland nearly half a century ago remain strong, and her love of languages was passed on.

Her daughter read French and German at Oxford, and recently graduated with a first class honours degree. That, of course, was simply a nice bonus. The greatest achievement was spending time living and learning abroad, and discovering the very best beer gardens the banks of the Rhine have to offer.

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Japan Foundation funding programme

2 November 2020 (Japan Foundation)

The Japan Foundation's annual grant programmes are now open for applications. There are various grants available in the fields of Arts and Culture, Japanese Language and Japanese Studies. 

Important Information:

Government guidelines on work and travel may affect the application process. Please make sure you contact the relevant department before you begin your application. 

The deadline for most of our programmes is 1 December 2020 (except Support Program for Translation and Publication on Japan: deadline is 20 November).

Visit the website for more information about all the programmes funding is available for.

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GlobeScotters – supporting young people to embrace international experiences

29 October 2020 (Young Scot)

British Council Scotland, the Scottish Government and Young Scot are teaming up to deliver 'GlobeScotters' – a campaign encouraging young people to embrace the international experiences available to them.

This campaign is a direct response to COVID-19. It aims to support young people in Scotland to connect with international opportunities available to them, whilst supporting them to maintain an international outlook. 

To find out more about their opinions on international education, experiences and what coronavirus has meant to international opportunities, young people are invited to complete the new GlobeScotters survey, which is live until 1 December 2020. 

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Time to Move 2020

20 October 2020 (Eurodesk UK)

Covid-19 is no reason to give up on your dream of studying, volunteering, working, or travelling abroad. Many young people have had to change their plans, but this doesn’t mean that the chance is lost forever. Instead, take this as an opportunity to plan and prepare for your trip.

The Time to Move project is back during October 2020 with online and offline events to promote mobility and experience new ways to discover the world. Aimed at young people aged 13-30 the project also provides the opportunity to design a Time to Move themed T-shirt that best represents the spirit of the campaign.

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Grants for training in Germany 2021

16 September 2020 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut is offering teachers of German grants for courses in Germany in 2021. The courses are aimed at teachers of all levels and offer a variety of topics related to teaching German as a foreign language. So if you would like to improve your lessons and get to know Germany first hand apply now. 

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information.

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Languages beyond school

4 September 2020 (SCILT)

If you have pupils considering language study once they move on from secondary education, the Beyond School section of our website contains a wealth of information about university and college language courses, study abroad and volunteering opportunities overseas. With links to UCAS and university guides it's also a useful resource for careers guidance staff to be aware of and highlight to students as the UCAS application process gets underway.

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Fully funded overseas volunteering opportunities

2 September 2020 (British Red Cross)

The British Red Cross seeks to support those in crisis, either in the UK or abroad. The International Youth Volunteering Programme (IYVP) offers young people aged 18-30 residing in the UK the chance to volunteer overseas in another European country for eight to twelve months. These placements have a community focus, spanning a wide range of different services and all of our placements are fully funded, with travel, accommodation, health insurance costs all covered and volunteers receive a small monthly allowance to cover additional expenses. This is the perfect opportunity for those interested in gaining valuable skills, having new experiences, and giving back to the community. We are particularly keen to hear from young people who are passionate about the work but may not otherwise have the opportunity to volunteer overseas.

• We are looking to recruit seven volunteers to support the work of the German Red Cross for an 11-month placement (October 2020-August 2021 - dates TBC). The placements will be in or around Halle, Germany.  These placements are perfect for those who wish to have more experience in childcare, who want to develop their skills and who want to take on the challenge of living and volunteering in Germany. Having a basic level of German would be beneficial but is not a requirement.
• We are also looking to recruit five volunteers to support the work of the Neinstedt Foundation for 11-month placements (October 2020 - August 2021 – specific dates TBC). These placements are perfect for someone who wants to gain experience working with children and adults with disabilities, and develop personal and professional skills. Due to the size of Neinstedt not everyone speaks English, so having a basic level of German would be beneficial but is not a requirement.

The closing date for applications for both roles is: 20 September 2020.

To apply, please use the links below:

• Halle
• Neinstedt

PLEASE NOTE: We continue to monitor the situation in relation to Covid-19 and in accordance with Erasmus+ guidelines. With all the present uncertainty we want to assure everyone that we will always put the safety and wellbeing of any applicants and/or volunteers first and in accordance with national guidelines (and those of Germany where this role is concerned). Any and all changes over the coming months will be communicated to successful applicants.

Coronavirus: Covid-19 cuts short students' year abroad studying

24 August 2020 (BBC)

Swapping Port Talbot for Paris was a big deal for Maia Evans. It was the first time she'd left home and the reason she chose to study French.

So you can imagine the 21-year-old's frustration when she had to abruptly leave her class, leave her adopted French family and leave France altogether when coronavirus took hold.

"I was loving it," recalled Maia. "The children were great, my family was lovely and my French was improving massively. Then France shut down overnight."

When Maia bid au revoir to Aberavon Beach she was excited to immerse herself in French culture - not just living with different people for the first time, but people who spoke another language.

It was going to be more Seine and Sacre-Coeur than the steelworks and Swansea Bay of home for Maia and she enjoyed every second in Paris' bustling suburbs.

Read more...

UK language students prepare for virtual year abroad in their bedrooms

13 June 2020 (The Guardian)

What is a virtual year abroad – and is there any point in it? That is the question Reece Jack, of Troon, South Ayrshire, is asking, along with thousands of other languages students whose year abroad has been cancelled or is in doubt.

Jack, a second-year student of business and French at Strathclyde University, thinks the idea of shared “virtual year abroad” resources across universities, being offered as a partial replacement for the real experience, is “delusional”. “Students will not pick up a natural fluency staying in the UK – the most anti-learning-a-language country there is,” he says.

His plans to start university in Dijon in September, for him the highlight of his course, have been thrown into doubt. With no guarantee this can happen, he is considering suspending his degree for a year.

“It is a huge frustration,” he says. “A lot of us chose to study a language because of the year abroad.”

Read more...

British Council Campaign

19 May 2020 (UCML)

The British Council has been a major disseminator of knowledge about the United Kingdom and of the English language since its foundation in 1934, working with over 50 countries. Since the start of the Covid-19 public health crisis, the British Council has had to close most of its schools and test centres across the globe, leading to a substantial budget deficit. Although a public body under the auspices of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the government response to the council’s financial situation has not been positive, and the council’s future is now significantly under threat.

UCML considers the British Council one of its closest allies in its mission to support study, teaching and research in modern languages, and has therefore launched a campaign to raise awareness of the vital role the British Council plays in languages education. To this end we have written a letter to the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, as well as other key stakeholders, and support the campaign launched by the Public and Commercial Services Union, which includes an Early Day Motion in Parliament.

Visit the website to read the letter and find out how you can participate in the campaign.

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Volunteering Opportunity Alert: British Red Cross International Youth Volunteering Programme (IYVP) - Spain placement 2020-21

30 March 2020 (British Red Cross)

The British Red Cross seeks to support those in crisis, either in the UK or abroad. The International Youth Volunteering Programme (IYVP) offers young people aged 18-30 residing in the UK the chance to volunteer overseas in another European country for eight to twelve months. As part of the European Solidarity Corps (EuSC) scheme, all IYVP placements have a community focus, spanning a wide range of different services. All of our placements are fully funded, with travel, accommodation, health insurance costs all covered and volunteers receive a small monthly allowance to cover additional expenses.

This is the perfect opportunity for those interested in gaining valuable skills, having new experiences and giving back to the community. Experience and fluency in the language are not requirements, although the placements can be challenging and require adaptability and resilience. We're particularly keen to hear from young people who are passionate about the work but may not otherwise have the opportunity to volunteer overseas. Please apply using the link IYVP Spain Placement 2020-21. Closing date is 1 May 2020.

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Bring the world into your classroom

13 March 2020 (TES/British Council)

We believe every young person should have intercultural and international experience. As the UK’s cultural relations organisation, the British Council creates opportunities for schools and teachers in the UK and worldwide to connect and work together to share ideas and practices.

Our range of international education programmes can help develop teaching skills with funded professional development, connect schools across the globe and bring language learning to life.

TES and the British Council have joined forces to explore different ways to bring the world into the classroom and open the door to a host of international learning opportunities.

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Quitting EU Erasmus scheme would 'blow a hole' in UK economy

8 March 2020 (The Guardian)

Quitting the EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme would “blow a hole” in the UK’s economy, taking away income of £243m a year and depriving 17,000 British young people of valuable work experience, according to a group of education and business leaders.

The group, including further education colleges and universities, is calling for the British government to make clear that continued Erasmus membership is a high priority in its talks with the EU.

Britain’s membership of the EU-wide exchange scheme known as Erasmus+ is to expire at the end of this year, alongside membership of the EU. The government’s negotiating outline offered scant hope of continued full membership, saying only that it “will consider options for participation in elements of Erasmus+ on a time-limited basis, provided the terms are in the UK’s interests”.

Universities UK International (UUKI), the umbrella group representing higher education providers, said membership of Erasmus gave a bonus to the British economy worth £243m a year, after subtracting membership costs from the £420m generated by EU students visiting the UK under the programme.

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Work shadowing in Schwäbisch Hall - applications open

3 March 2020 (Goethe-Institut)

We are delighted to announce our call for applications for a work-shadowing week in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, from 24 to 31 October 2020.

A number of companies and organisations in Schwäbisch Hall are happy to host students to introduce them to the world of work and help them understand the practical details of a profession. The students will have the opportunity to be part of a team in a small or medium-sized company and use their language skills while taking part in the company’s daily operations. Participants will go to the work placement in the mornings, where an expert will accompany them on their introduction to a profession. In the afternoons, a cultural programme will help the participants discover the local surroundings and dive into German culture. 

Applicants should be 16 or 17 years old with at least GCSE-level German.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and apply by 3 April 2020.

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Language Linking Global Thinking 2020-21 - registrations now open

28 February 2020 (SCILT)

While the student is abroad they keep in regular contact with the partner school using blog posts, emails and other resources. The correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language. New for this year - you can now be linked with a CISS scholar spending a year in China! Just complete the registration form with 'Mandarin' as your preferred language for a link. 

Key points for teachers

• Please note this is a two-way correspondence, and schools are expected to reply to blog posts, submit questions, and fully engage with their link student. 
• A representative from the school, ideally the class teacher using the link, must attend the training afternoon on 12th June in Glasgow. 
• There is no cost for schools to participate in the programme, however schools will need to cover travel costs for teachers attending the training session. Students are expected to visit their link school before they go abroad, and schools may wish to help with the travel costs for that visit.

Visit the LLGT webpage for more information on Language Linking Global Thinking, and to read some of the student blogs from previous years.

Please note places are limited. Please email scilt@strath.ac.uk to request a registration form. 

Read more...

Makeathon: Deutsch Digital 2020

19 February 2020 (Goethe-Institut)

There are different opinions on what good media-based foreign language teaching should look like in the 21st century. In 2020, seven Goethe-Institutes in Northwest Europe will be carrying out a project that deals with this problem and wants to address the following questions:
 
Does digitalisation enable customized learning opportunities? Do digital learning opportunities motivate German learners? Should modern foreign language teaching be project-oriented and multidisciplinary? Does the use of technical devices such as tablets automatically make teaching modern? Does internal differentiation work better with digital media? Does foreign language teaching contribute to the development of media literacy?
 
The aim of our project is the development of digitally supported, task- and action-oriented teaching scenarios for German lessons.

The highlight of the project is a multi-day Makeathon (from 13 to 15 May 2020) in Germany. During the Makeathon, you will work with German teachers from the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Norway to develop scenarios for your German lessons with the support of experts. After the Makeathon, you will try out the teaching scenario you have co-developed in your German lessons.
 
Would you like to be part of the Makeathon and develop teaching scenarios together with other German teachers? There are four places available for teachers in Scotland. Apply until February 28, 2020!

Read more...

Funded summer courses in Germany - applications now open!

6 February 2020 (UK-German Connection)

We offer three summer course opportunities for pupils and teachers, all combining language-learning with cultural trips and excursions, as well as staying with host families. All are part or fully funded. Follow the appropriate link to find out more about each course.

• German Scholarships Programme
• German Pupil Courses
• Paid CPD opportunity (for experienced teachers to act as group leaders on the German Pupil courses)

Application deadline for each programme: 1 March 2020.

If you have any questions about the courses, don't hesitate to get in touch with the UK-German Connection team at pupilprogrammes@ukgermanconnection.org

Erasmus+ funding deadline extended

3 February 2020 (Erasmus+)

Due to technical issues with the web forms, the European Commission has announced an extension to the first funding deadline of the 2020 Call. The new deadline for online application forms to be submitted is Tuesday 11 February.

Erasmus+ offers funding to UK schools for life-changing international opportunities. You can apply for one or more of the following funding streams:

• School Education Staff Mobility (Key Action 101):
  Revised application deadline - 11 February 2020 at 11am (UK time)
  School staff can teach, train or job shadow abroad - to develop their professional practice, build relationships with international peers and gain fresh ideas.
• School Exchange Partnerships (Key Action 229):
  Application deadline - 24 March 2020 at 11am (UK time)
  Pupils and students can take part in international exchanges and study experiences, and staff can do training and teaching assignments overseas - to develop new skills, get inspired and gain vital international experience.
• Strategic Partnerships for School Education (Key Action 201):
  Application deadline - 24 March 2020 at 11am (UK time)
  Schools can collaborate with international partners - to drive innovation, share best practice, and offer new opportunities to young people.

The funding is open to UK schools and colleges providing general, vocational or technical education to pupils aged 3 – 18 years. Local and regional authorities, school coordination bodies and consortia can also apply.

Please visit the website to find out more and apply for Erasmus+ schools funding now.  There are online guides and video tutorials to assist applicants, but any queries can be directed to the Erasmus+ UK National Agency at: erasmusplus.enquiries@britishcouncil.org.

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Short term international youth volunteering opportunity - France

31 January 2020 (Red Cross)

The International Youth Volunteering Programme has one exciting 5 month volunteering opportunity in France coming up in March 2020 (ending August 2020).

As part of the European Solidarity Corps (EuSC) scheme, all IYVP placements are fully funded, with travel, accommodation, health insurance costs all covered and volunteers receive a small monthly allowance to cover additional expenses.

This is the perfect opportunity for those interested in gaining valuable skills, having new experiences and giving back to the community. Experience is not a requirement, although the placements can be challenging and require adaptability and resilience. This volunteer will also need a good-high level of French language skills. We’re particularly keen to hear from young people who are passionate about the work but may not otherwise have the opportunity to volunteer overseas.

The volunteer will be part of the education team, helping to raise awareness of first aid, health issues, international humanitarian law and much more. They will be supported by other French volunteers, and will also be able to take part in other activities in the Red Cross branch.

If you are interested in applying, please visit the volunteer recruitment portal. The deadline for applications is Sunday 16 February 2020.

Any questions? Please email us at IYVP@redcross.org.uk.

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£2.5 million to boost international exchanges for schools

19 January 2020 (Department for Education)

Thousands more young people will have the chance to take part in international exchanges and visits thanks to a new £2.5 million programme, the Education Secretary announced today (19 January).

Schools in England will be able to apply for grants to take pupils aged 11 and above to visit partner schools around the world, giving them the chance to experience different cultures, improve language skills and build independence, character and resilience.

The programme, which will be principally focused on supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds, will be run in partnership with the British Council – whose own research has found that only 39% of secondary schools run international exchanges. For independent schools, the figure is 77%.

As education ministers from around the world prepare to gather in London for the Education World Forum, Damian Hinds has stressed the importance of ensuring disadvantaged young people don’t miss out on the life-changing experiences and academic opportunities offered by overseas visits.

Evidence shows that businesses are increasingly looking for employees with international experience and language skills – and, according to a British Council survey, almost two-thirds of university language students said that an international exchange helped inspire them to choose their degree course.

The programme will build on the government’s work to encourage more pupils to study a foreign language, including their inclusion in the English Baccalaureate. Since 2010 we have seen 45% more entries in GCSE Chinese and 51% more entries in GCSE Spanish.

Read more...

Immersion courses in France and Spain

17 January 2020 (LFEE)

LFEE Europe has been an international course provider since 2002. Our team of experienced and fully qualified native teachers are committed to promoting French and Spanish language and culture throughout Europe.

Teachers wishing to apply for courses in France and Spain for 2020-2021 can also benefit from Erasmus+ funding to cover the tuition fee, accommodation, subsistence and travel costs. The next funding application deadline is 5 February 2020.

Please contact LFEE Europe as soon as possible to pre-register and receive guidelines to help your application.

For more information, see the course brochure.

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Erasmus+ funding for UK schools – apply now!

14 January 2020 (British Council)

Want to inspire your students and teachers – and help them to succeed?

The Erasmus+ 2020 Call is now open for applications. Erasmus+ offers funding to UK schools for life-changing international opportunities. You can apply for one or more of the following funding streams:

• School Education Staff Mobility (Key Action 101):
  Application deadline - 5 February 2020 at 11am (UK time)
  School staff can teach, train or job shadow abroad - to develop their professional practice, build relationships with international peers and gain fresh ideas.
• School Exchange Partnerships (Key Action 229):
  Application deadline - 24 March 2020 at 11am (UK time)
  Pupils and students can take part in international exchanges and study experiences, and staff can do training and teaching assignments overseas - to develop new skills, get inspired and gain vital international experience.
• Strategic Partnerships for School Education (Key Action 201):
  Application deadline - 24 March 2020 at 11am (UK time)
  Schools can collaborate with international partners - to drive innovation, share best practice, and offer new opportunities to young people.

The funding is open to UK schools and colleges providing general, vocational or technical education to pupils aged 3 – 18 years. Local and regional authorities, school coordination bodies and consortia can also apply.

Please visit the website to find out more and apply for Erasmus+ schools funding now.  Any questions? Please contact the Erasmus+ UK National Agency at: erasmusplus.enquiries@britishcouncil.org.

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Government decision to scrap Erasmus scheme will harm UK's bottom line

10 January 2020 (City AM)

The UK has always lagged behind its European neighbours in foreign language learning, and the vote this week to eradicate the Erasmus scheme will only slow that adoption further. 

For many, Erasmus was an opportunity to live and learn a new culture and language, free from class and income boundaries. The programme gave the UK’s youth an international edge. But now that the government has denied university students this exchange scheme, following Wednesday’s Brexit votes, it runs a serious risk of making British students more insular, constricted, and less culturally open.

Concerns about this decision don’t just begin and end with the loss of cultural and social benefits for students — it will inevitably affect the UK’s future workforce and bottom line. 

In the midst of the Brexit process, where we have already seen a reduction in net migration since the referendum, how will British industries fair without this source of diversity in learning and incoming talent?

This decision is arguably the worst one made for the British education system since 2004, when Tony Blair’s Labour government chose to scrap compulsory foreign language learning at the GCSE level, which led to a severe drop in the number of UK pupils taking subjects such as French and German. In fact, there has been a huge 63 per cent fall in GCSE entries for French and a 67 per cent for German since 2002. 

The government is setting a dangerous precedent. It sends the message to young Brits that foreign language skills aren’t important, and that English is the language of the world. 

It isn’t. In fact, only 20 per cent of the world’s population speaks English — this includes both native and second language speakers. 

In 2013, the now-dissolved Department of Business, Innovation and Skills revealed that the UK’s language skills deficit could be costing the economy up to £48bn each year. So it is concerning that this Brexit-driven decision has gone ahead without a regard for its implications. 

Read more...

Teach abroad as an English Language Assistant

4 December 2019 (British Council)

Every year, around 2,500 language assistants from the UK support the teaching of English in 14 countries around the world. 

We offer the opportunity to teach English overseas on a paid six-month or one-year placement working as a language assistant. 

As an English Language Assistant, you will: 

• strengthen your CV
• improve your fluency in another language
• gain a number of skills including communication, presentation, time management, organisation, teamwork, and problem-solving
• immerse yourself in another culture and improve your cultural awareness
• develop professional confidence

Teaching time is limited to between 12 and 20 hours a week, giving you plenty of time to experience the country and pursue other interests.

Visit the British Council website to find out more and to apply to be an English Language Assistant in 2020-21. Closing date: 5 February 2020.

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Internships in China for undergraduate and postgraduate students and recent graduates

12 November 2019 (British Council)

Whatever your ambitions for the future, your internship will help you stand out from the crowd. New industries and work opportunities in China are rising faster than the skyscrapers that accommodate them, and China may soon overtake the US as the world’s largest economy. Companies across the world will value your experience of China's culture and business practices. 

You’ll also benefit from weekly Mandarin lessons and take part in business and cultural activities, offering you valuable insight into the customs and traditions of China.

Read more...

5 facts about the British student who studies abroad

29 October 2019 (Study International)

More British students are going abroad than ever before. According to Universities UK International’s (UUKi) report, 18,510 UK-domiciled graduates have gone abroad for at least one period as an undergraduate, representing 7.8 percent of the 2016−17 graduating cohort. In the previous cohort, only 16,580 students did the same.

Historically a privilege left to a wealthy few, now more British students are able to reap the benefits of an international element in their higher education. They attain a more well-rounded skill set, improve cultural competencies and make global connections – the benefits of mobility are plenty and well-known by now.

But what about the British students who are spreading their wings across the world? Here are five facts and figures about the travelling British student today.

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What my students gain from international experiences

28 October 2019 (British Council Voices)

Head teacher Ian Kell tells us why he connects pupils in the north east of England with international opportunities.

Why do you look for international opportunities for your pupils?

International experience shouldn't just be an optional extra in education. It should be mandatory. 

For many of the students at the school in Durham where I teach, opportunities to travel, beyond package holidays, are limited.

I want to encourage my students to gain experiences of new and different cultures and ways of living. While most of the children want to travel, there are opportunities available for kids who don't want to, like programmes that connect children across the world virtually. 

Read more...

Erasmus+ newsletter - October 2019

17 October 2019 (Erasmus+)

The latest news from the Erasmus+ UK National Agency is now available to view online. Included in this issue is a statistical animation showcasing funding results broken down across each country in the UK from 2014-2018. Whilst Erasmus+ stories have taken on a Scottish flavour this month, with new additions from Pollokshields Primary School, Glasgow Caledonian University and LEAP Sports Scotland.

Read more...

Languages Beyond School

4 October 2019 (SCILT)

Do you have students looking to continue or develop their language studies when they leave school? Our aim is to provide all the information necessary for students to make an informed choice about their future language learning. To that end we invite visitors to the Beyond School pages of our website to submit feedback by completing a short survey. Responses are anonymous and will be used to help improve the user experience. We would appreciate it if teachers could share the survey with learners and encourage them to respond.

Whether they want to follow a course of study in the UK or further afield, work or volunteer abroad, the Beyond School section of our website has links to language courses at further and higher education establishments in Scotland along with opportunities UK-wide and in Europe. The site also outlines the support Scottish universities can provide to teachers and schools in their language learning.

As the UCAS application process gets underway, make sure pupils and careers guidance staff are aware of the information available on our website.

Professional Development in Germany

3 October 2019 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut is again able to offer a number of grants to teachers for training in Germany. The offer is aiming at German teachers just embarking on their career, as well as at teachers expanding their commitments to GCSE and A-level. Those who train German language teachers are also able to benefit from the variety of courses.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to apply.

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Overseas experiences are 'invaluable' for pupils

1 October 2019 (TES)

Even when digital technology puts so much information at our fingertips, including the possibility of virtual travel, there is still no substitute for lived experience. This enables us to open up our perspective and appreciate fundamental similarities with peers elsewhere – important skills when collaborating with others in any context, especially in the workplace.

Studying overseas offers students fantastic preparation for the world of work. It pushes them to move outside their comfort zones and engage with a breadth of different people – students, teachers, host families – which is invaluable experience in preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

When working and living abroad, you are alert and receptive to all that is new around you, noticing and questioning so much more than when surrounded by all that is familiar. When away from home, our young people are learning to see the world from a completely different point of view, to have some of their values and preconceptions challenged and to see opportunities for themselves in the future that they simply would not have known about otherwise.

Studying overseas also brings a new dimension to learning – seeing something in context to help bring about a better understanding of the how and the why – of history, and literature, of geography, or of a language.

It encourages students to embrace and appreciate diversity, to spend time with people from different cultures and see how the world works elsewhere. It teaches them how to negotiate life overseas, giving them an understanding of cultural conventions and sensitivities that could trip them up otherwise.

Students from St George’s School for Girls who study abroad develop a strong sense of autonomy, essential when undertaking international travel and great preparation for the working world. I see students coming back from time away with much more confidence, having grown in maturity, having learned more about themselves and with a wonderful "yes I can" outlook on life.

[..] While international opportunities are great for our young people, it cannot be denied that the real value lies in exposing students to something that is new – a new environment or experience that leads them to ask questions – and this doesn’t have to be overseas. Our students have taken part in digital exchanges where experiences and learning are shared with peers in a different country online. They also benefit by observing how different countries manage and tackle problems such as climate change.

(Subscription required to access full article)

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Magical Christmas Trips for primary and secondary schools - deadline reminder: 24 September

19 September 2019 (UK-German Connection)

Apply for funding of up to £10,000 for a Christmas trip to a partner school in Germany this year!

These visits offer primary pupils the chance to get a taste of Germany at Christmas time, meet their German peers and get involved in some seasonal cultural activity. Secondary pupils have the opportunity to brush up their German and develop their skills as young leaders.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information.

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Reigniting the love of languages

17 September 2019 (Erasmus+)

With multilingualism being a key ingredient in making your CV stand out from the crowd, language skills are in high demand.

As well as boosting employability, learning a language also helps people to become more culturally aware, and can even improve cognitive skills in observation, memory and creativity.

In the UK less than half of the working age population can speak a foreign language. The BBC reported earlier this year that foreign language learning was at its lowest level in UK secondary schools since the turn of the millennium.

However, the Erasmus+ programme, which supports language learning in schools, is making a difference by providing funding to UK schools to run vital international activities. 

Ahead of the European Day of Languages on 26 September, let’s take a look at the UK language landscape and how Erasmus+ is helping school staff and pupils to reignite their love of languages.

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UK-German Connection - Back to School Newsletter 2019

9 September 2019 (UK-German Connection)

As the new school year gets underway, find out about the latest selection of initiatives from UK-German Connection in their autumn newsletter.

This edition includes information about the following opportunities:

• Host a Teacher from Germany in 2020
• Youth Seminars in Germany
• Magical Christmas trips
• UK-German bears - Alex and Ben

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'The new frontier of skills development' – growing number of organisations join campaign to double the percentage of UK students studying abroad

6 September 2019 (Universities UK)

Five organisations, Cultural Vistas, Pagoda Projects, Student.com, Common Purpose and The Intern Group, have pledged support to help more UK students study abroad as part the Go International: Stand Out campaign. The pledges include new scholarships for students to study abroad, discounts on visa services, free places on development programmes and discounted accommodation overseas.

The pledges are part of the UK-wide Go International: Stand Out campaign, run by Universities UK International, which aims to double the percentage of UK undergraduates who study, work, or volunteer abroad to 13% by the end of 2020. The five organisations announcing pledges today join five organisations who have already made pledges to the campaign: CRCC Asia, Campus France, DAAD London, The Higher Education Statistics Agency and QS.

Data suggests that there are significant academic and employability benefits to students who study abroad: those who studied abroad were 20% less likely to be unemployed six months after graduating than those who did not. There were especially pronounced benefits for those from a disadvantaged background. For example, BME students who studied abroad were 17% more likely to be in a graduate job six months after graduating than their peers. The campaign aims to widen access to study abroad opportunities.

Read more...

International school exchange facilitated seminar

27 August 2019 (British Council)

Would you like to set up a student exchange visit but don't yet have a partner school?

For schools looking for a partner school, we still have a few spaces available on our seminar in Germany in the Autumn term 2019, designed to allow schools to set up a partnership and plan your exchange.

All arrangements will be made by the British Council and travel, accommodation and meal costs will be covered.

Visit the British Council website for more information and to apply by 13 September 2019. Be quick, spaces are extremely limited!

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Youth seminar 'Sustainable Consumption: Why our everyday choices matter'

21 August 2019 (UK-German Connection)

Are your pupils interested in sustainability and in discussing the wider impact of our daily choices? UK-German Connection, in collaboration with the British Embassy in Berlin, is hosting a seminar for young people from the UK and Germany, taking place in Berlin from 1-4 November 2019.
 
The seminar will bring young people from the UK and Germany together to compare everyday consumer habits, explore the wider theme of sustainability and consider the challenges of living sustainably.

Key highlights include:

• Expert-led workshops on sustainability and consumer choices
• Excursions in Berlin on the seminar theme
• Presenting collective ideas about sustainable consumption during an event at the British Embassy in Berlin

German language skills are not required, so the opportunity is open to pupils across the curriculum. Participants are required to pay £25 to confirm their place. Travel and accommodation costs will be met by UK-German Connection.

The deadline for applications is 16 September 2019.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and to apply.

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No-deal Brexit fears for Erasmus student exchange scheme

13 August 2019 (BBC)

The Scottish and Welsh governments have expressed fears over the future of the Erasmus student exchange programme in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Both administrations have jointly written to the UK education secretary to express their concerns.

The EU programme helps students study in other countries.

The UK government has guaranteed payments for successful applicants and said it is "exploring participation" in a successor scheme.

Erasmus is an EU-funded programme which enables students to either study part of their degree or undertake a work placement abroad.

About 53% of UK university students who learn abroad do so through the initiative.

Some countries which are not in the EU - including Iceland, Norway and Serbia - also take part.

The letter is signed by the Scottish higher education minister, Richard Lochhead, and the Welsh education minister, Kirsty Williams.

Both devolved administrations are opposed to a hard Brexit but if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, they would like participation in Erasmus to continue.

The letter argues that leaving the EU without a deal or an arrangement covering the scheme will result in universities, colleges, and schools being ineligible to submit applications to participate in the final year of the current Erasmus+ programme in 2020.

It says: "This will be a significant loss to both our education sectors.

"Between 2014 and 2018, Erasmus+ has enabled an estimate of over 10,000 students and staff in Wales to undertake mobility visits to benefit their learning and career development.

"In Scotland, proportionally more students take part in Erasmus+ than from any other country in the UK."

It calls for an urgent meeting of education ministers to discuss the steps being taken towards ensuring that a hard Brexit does not lead to a loss of provision and opportunities for universities, colleges and schools.

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Language travel still popular for UK students, with Spain gaining foothold

8 August 2019 (The Pie News)

Despite headlines reporting drops in language studies in schools across the UK, youngsters from secondary schools around the UK are continuing to travel overseas in busloads, educational tour operators have said. And Spain – and its language – is becoming increasingly popular.

However, concerns surrounding Brexit and safety have caused issues of their own, and the lower uptake of languages at GCSE level is reflected in language travel industry trends.

The British Council’s Language Trends 2019 report found that entries for GCSE languages had declined by 19% over the past five years. French and German GCSE candidate levels saw reductions of 30%, the report explained.

“Spanish language trips are getting very close to the demand for French language”

At A-level, between 2017 and 2018, German was down by 16%, French by 7%,  and Spanish by 3%. However, provisional entry figures for 2019 show Spanish candidate numbers increasing by 10% and French increasing by 4%.

German instead is set to continue to fall by 2.5%.

Of the 776 primary schools and 845 secondary schools surveyed for this report, 8% said they had offered school trips abroad in the previous year.

In last year’s survey, that number was 12%, but more respondents were included in the 2019 report.

Michelle Evans, head of product & marketing at educational tour operator NST noted that a large proportion of its language trips were for students under GCSE age.

“Teachers are trying to engage the students in lower secondary years in languages, so that they can encourage them to take that subject at GCSE,” she told The PIE News.

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Survey: Education & careers abroad with #Globescotters

7 November 2018 (Young Scot)

As part of Scotland’s Year of Young People, Young Scot have partnered with British Council Scotland to encourage you to embrace the international experiences available to you at home and abroad as part of our joint campaign, ‘GlobeScotters’.

In this short survey we want to find out your thoughts on all things international when it comes to education and careers abroad!

Visit the website and complete the survey by 17 December 2018 to earn reward points!

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Internships in China

25 October 2018 (British Council)

Spend two months in China with a Generation UK – China internship

Live in one of six booming Chinese cities while gaining experience in an industry of your choice. There are start dates throughout the year - choose the date which suits you.  

Applications are open now for current undergraduate and postgraduate students at UK universities, and those who have recently left university. The deadline is 2 December 2018 (23:59 BST).

Read more...

Grants for UK-German activities

25 October 2018 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a number of grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups in the UK and Germany.

The next deadline is approaching, so if you have any projects taking place in 2018-19 for which you'd like funding, visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and apply by 31 October 2018.

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Another record year for Erasmus+ in Scotland

17 October 2018 (British Council)

Scotland's share of Erasmus+ EU funding is up by more than €1m since last year. This means that a record total of €22.3m will be shared by 172 Scottish organisations working across a range of sectors:

€14.1m for universities and higher education institutions
€5.9m for organisations working in vocational education and training
€865k for youth work organisations
€832k for schools
€614k for organisations working in adult education

With further funding results for 2018 yet to be announced, and 2019 calls due to open, the figure will again rise. 

Erasmus+ enables people from the UK to go abroad to study, train, or volunteer and is delivered in the UK by the British Council in partnership with Ecorys UK.

Most of the new funding is for projects between Scotland and European countries. But Erasmus+ also reaches beyond Europe and in turn helps Scotland to do so. 

€3.8m of this year’s figure is shared between ten higher education projects, which will connect Scottish universities and colleges with their counterparts in the USA, South Africa, India, Israel, Palestine, China, Canada, Mexico, amongst many other countries.

If you want to find out more about Erasmus+, information sessions giving an overview of the programme and available funding are being run throughout the UK during autumn. Check the website for more details.

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Grants for professional development in Germany

2 October 2018 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut is offering German teachers grants for courses in Germany. The programme includes courses on methodology and didactics, "Landeskunde" as well as specialised language courses for teachers.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and apply now for a course in 2019.

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‘The best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it’

25 September 2018 (Irish Times)

Learning a new language can seem like a mammoth challenge, but for those who are really intent on developing fluency, nothing beats full immersion by moving to the country where it is spoken day-to-day. Ahead of European Day of Languages on September 26th, readers living around the world share their experiences of the frustration and joy of learning a new tongue.

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Wanted: External assessors for Erasmus+ funding applications and project reports

24 September 2018 (Erasmus+)

Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. Each year, UK schools, colleges, universities and youth organisations are invited to apply for funding to support vital international activities, including:

• International study/traineeship/volunteering placements for students and young people
• Opportunities for staff to teach or train abroad
• Collaboration with international partners to drive innovation, cooperation and excellence
• Opportunities for young people to interact with decision-makers on issues of concern to young people and to influence youth policy

The Erasmus+ UK National Agency (a partnership between British Council and Ecorys UK) is seeking to appoint a pool of external assessors to assess funding applications and project reports submitted under the Erasmus+ programme.

Applicants need to have knowledge and expertise in the sector(s) of the programme which they wish to assess: schools, vocational education and training, adult education, higher education and youth.

If you’re interested, please find out more on the website and register your interest before 6pm on 5 October 2018.

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Languages Beyond School

21 September 2018 (SCILT)

As the UCAS application process gets underway, make sure any pupils thinking of continuing their language studies check out the Beyond School section of our website.

This section contains useful information to help senior pupils decide on the different language courses and options available once they have left school, at college, university or as part of a gap year. There are links to courses available in Scotland and across the UK.

Pupils, parents, guidance and careers staff should all find this section of our website useful.

Read more...

Inspire your students with new funding for global learning

19 September 2018 (British Council)

Connecting Classrooms is back, and we have some exciting updates for the new school year.

If you are thinking about taking your school on an international journey this year, it’s time to take a look at how you can join the new Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme.

You can apply for Connecting Classrooms opportunities either as an individual school, or part of a cluster, which will be overseen by a lead school.

Becoming a lead school provides a host of benefits, including access to grants to develop your cluster, the opportunity to deliver CPD to other schools in your area and cover support for your co-ordinator’s time. 

Visit the website for more information and apply by 28 October to be included in the first round of grant awards.

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Erasmus+ funding for schools: twilight sessions

17 September 2018 (Erasmus+)

Interested in funding for international pupil exchanges, staff overseas teaching/training placements and partnerships with schools across Europe?

Erasmus+ and eTwinning offer fantastic opportunities for UK schools to connect with schools across Europe.

Taking place in September to November 2018, we are running free sessions in cities across the UK for school staff interested in beginning or enhancing international collaboration. There's an event in Glasgow on 30 October.

Whilst the twilight session offers a particular focus for schools, there is also a daytime information session more specifically for organisations who are new to the Erasmus+ programme and are considering submitting an Erasmus+ application in 2019.

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Time to Move T-shirt contest

13 September 2018 (Eurodesk)

The Time to Move T-shirt contest returns in 2018! 

If you are at least 13 years old and not more than 30, design a Time to Move themed T-shirt that best represents the spirit of the campaign, share it with us and have a chance to travel around Europe by train!

Time to Move is a collection of events for young people organised all over Europe during the month of October. The activities focus on introducing hundreds of possibilities through which you can go abroad and take part in an international project, explore Europe or gain experience you need for your future.

Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 31 October 2018.

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Lefèvre Trust school grants for French study visits

13 September 2018 (British Council)

The British Council is working in partnership with the Lefèvre Trust to offer a limited number of grants to Scottish secondary schools to facilitate reciprocal visits to partner schools in France. The opportunity marks the final round of Lefèvre funding and recognises the recently re-signed Memorandum of Understanding between Scotland and France. 

Schools interested in applying should have an existing link to France through a partnership or exchange. Projects with a STEM focus, and from schools in underprivileged areas, are encouraged.

A French study visit is the ideal way to instil a love of the French language in learners, give them exposure to authentic language usage and enable them to experience French culture first-hand. Pupils can also benefit from:

• raised levels of language proficiency in preparation for exams
• improved confidence in speaking French by practising with peers at the partner school
• increased motivation in continuing to learn French by exchanging language and culture in an authentic environment
• strengthened partnership and development of new cross-curricular projects for the whole school.

Visit the British Council website for more information and apply by 19 November 2018.

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British students are too focussed on getting top grades to go on years abroad, university body says as figures show UK behind Europe and US

1 September 2018 (The Telegraph)

he number of undergraduates at UK universities going on years abroad is lagging behind other countries, a report has warned, amid concerns that British students are more focused on getting top grades than gaining life experience.

A report released by Universities UK (UUK), a body which represents 136 British universities, shows that just 6.6 per cent of British students go on ‘year abroad’ programmes during their degrees, compared to 28 per cent of German students, 16 per cent of students in the United States and 20 per cent of Australians.

Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International, suggested that UK students may be too focussed on their grades and securing jobs to go on a year abroad while they are studying, and while students worry about their grades, employers in the UK may actually value the soft skills more.

“At a time of political and economic uncertainty in the UK, it is understandable that students are seeking stability by focusing on their studies and getting a foot on the career ladder as soon as possible,” Ms Stern said.

“However, sacrificing opportunities to study abroad means that UK students are actually missing opportunities to enhance their careers: we know that graduates who have studied abroad are 24 per cent less likely to be unemployed than those who haven’t,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

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WYSE survey shows rise of mixed travel

28 August 2018 (The Pie News)

Young travellers are increasingly combining leisure and study in their holidays, a survey of the youth, student and educational travel market conducted by WYSE Travel Federation revealed.

[..] “More than 20% of the young travellers who responded to the New Horizons IV Survey in 2017 were mixing holiday with language learning. This is up from 14% in our 2012 survey.”

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Magical Christmas Trip

21 August 2018 (UK-German Connection)

Would you like to take part in a Magical Christmas Trip this year and build on or set up a partnership with a school in Germany?

These visits offer primary pupils the chance to get a taste of Germany at Christmas time, meet their German peers and get involved in some seasonal intercultural activity. Secondary pupils have the opportunity to brush up on their German and practice their skills as young leaders.

There are two options for getting involved:

• apply to take part in a visit to Berlin run by UK-German Connection to set up a link to a school in Berlin
• apply for funding and organisational support to run your own Christmas visit to an existing partner school anywhere in Germany.

Application deadline: 18 September 2018.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information.

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Dawn and Meg are on course for fabulous French lessons

17 August 2018 (The Courier)

A French language summer school has ensured that two Fife primary school teachers are fired up to teach their eager pupils le français. 

As pupils across Courier Country head back to school this week, one Fife primary school will be saying “Bienvenue” to the new academic year. Teachers Dawn Allan and Meg Allan (no relation) spent a week in France on a highly sought-after immersion language course, with the aim of enhancing their French lessons at Leuchars Primary School.

Dawn takes up the story: “Meg and I completed a 10-week French evening course at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar two years ago and that was when we first heard about the possibility of attending immersion courses in France or Spain, organised by Le Français en Ecosse,” she says.

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Scottish youth to explore the way of the dragon...

13 August 2018 (4barsrest)

Carnoustie High School Band will head east this September to become the first youth brass band to tour China.

The remarkable opportunity came following a performance at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow in 2016 for the renowned Confucius Institute for Scotland.

Such was the success that it led to the school's head teacher Donald Currie being contacted to set the ball rolling on the ambitious initiative — and now, after almost two years of research and fundraising the band will fly out on 7th September for 15 unforgettable days of music and cultural learning.

Confucius Hubs are based in schools and seek to make links with local communities throughout Scotland — with Carnoustie serving the Angus area. It promotes the joint planning of cultural activities, sharing ideas and resources to stimulate the learning and teaching of Chinese language and culture.

The band will fly out from Glasgow, and after a short stop in Dubai will carry on to China where they will enjoy seven days in Tianjin and seven more in Beijing before their return.

While in Tianjin, the band members will be learning Mandarin, as well as performing three concerts. They will also visit Chinese families and schools, enabling the young musicians to experience Chinese culture first hand with a chance to learn Gongfu (Chinese martial arts), Tai Chi, and the ancient arts of calligraphy and mask painting.

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Fantastic opportunity to get involved in international work

9 August 2018 (YouthLink Scotland)

YouthLink Scotland, its members and UK/German Connection have teamed up to offer an opportunity to share experiences and make new links between our two countries.

This is an exciting opportunity for workers and the young people (aged 14-21) they work with to get together with German counterparts here and in Germany.

The commitment is two residential weekends taking place in October and December - one in Scotland and one in Berlin.

Places are limited so get in touch soon. The deadline for expressions of interest is 30 August 2018.

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Shanghai teacher immersion course 2018

7 August 2018 (CISS)

A group of teachers from Scotland spent two weeks in July immersing themselves in new cultural experiences in Shanghai, China.

A typical day consisted of an early start, breakfast in the Shitang (canteen) followed by Mandarin classes. Everyone greatly enjoyed the lessons as beginners were well supported whilst the more experienced speakers were sufficiently challenged. 

This was followed by a cultural excursion or experience. For most this was the highlight of the trip as it allowed everyone to apply their learning and to experience authentic Chinese culture.

Highlights in Shanghai included a riverboat cruise by night, showcasing the breath-taking skyline, relaxing from the hustle and bustle experiencing Tai chi, and producing calligraphy and hearing stories behind the characters.

Why Brits aren’t interested in studying abroad

28 June 2018 (Study International)

To many people, studying abroad sounds like a dream. Spending a few months or years in a far-off country to gain a qualification while at the same time, learning a foreign language or soaking up the culture is an aspiration many, young and old, wish they could fulfill.

Apparently, this select group of people does not include the Brits.

While hundreds of thousands continue to travel the world to enrol at a British university, the same can’t be said for the outward mobility trends seen among British students.

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GlobeScotters

18 June 2018 (British Council)

British Council is excited to announce the launch of GlobeScotters! We've partnered with @YoungScot to inspire Scotland's young people to embrace the international opportunities available to them at home and abroad!

Over the next six months the GlobeScotters website will be updated with all things international - from funding opportunities, to fun videos on international foods and some big Young Scot Rewards prizes!

Whether you are studying abroad next term, or want to learn about different cultures in your community, we have you covered!

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‘Language Linking, Global Thinking’: The Life-Changing Impacts of Travel

14 June 2018 (University of Stirling)

As you’ll have gathered from this blog, a good number of our students opt to apply for English Language Assistantships every year, whether between their 2nd and 3rd years or as graduates. For the past few years, some of our ELA students have also participated in SCILT’s ‘Language Linking, Global Thinking’ scheme during their year as assistants and we thought it’d be good to get a sense of what this actually involves – from the perspective of the students involved.

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Language Linking Global Thinking

12 June 2018 (University of Edinburgh)

French and Spanish MA (Hons) student, Róisín MacFarlane, describes her involvement in SCILT’s Year Abroad schools initiative.

Róisín and three other students from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) recently attended a course with Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) preparing both students and teachers for the Language Linking Global Thinking (LLGT) project.

In this article - her first as Web, Communications and Social Media Intern for LLC - she talks about the LLGT programme and explains why so many schools and students are getting involved.

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International youth event in Berlin: Youth for Peace

7 June 2018 (UK-German Connection)

Are you interested in Europe, history and peace? Do you want to learn more about World War I and its consequences? Do you want to know how other societies experienced the war and how you can personally contribute to a peaceful future in and around Europe?

To commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, the Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO), along with partners, is organising an International Youth Meeting in Berlin. The event will bring together 500 young people from across Europe and beyond to discuss topics such as war, peace and history in an international setting. It will take place from Wednesday 14 November – Sunday 18 November, 2018.

As a partner organisation, UK-German Connection are recruiting a group of 18-22 year olds from the UK to attend this youth event.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and apply by 17 June 2018.

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eTwinning: European professional development workshops

6 June 2018 (eTwinning)

This term, why not apply to go on a short, fully-funded workshop in another European country?

Applications are now open for teachers of pupils aged 3-19 across a range of subject areas to attend a fully-funded 2-3 day professional development workshop in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, France and Greece. 

These events are designed to facilitate new eTwinning projects through partner-finding and project planning activities. Workshop themes and subject areas are varied, spanning ICT, Maths, and sustainable development.

Find out about, request a free workshop in the UK or register for one or more of the available opportunities on the eTwinning website. Application deadline: 18 June 2018.

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Foreign postings help us become more self-aware

29 May 2018 (Financial Times)

I have lived in four countries: South Africa, where I grew up, the US, where I was a teenage exchange student, Greece, where I learnt how to be a journalist, and the UK or, more specifically, London, where I have now spent the majority of my life.

Each of those places changed me, but did they make me more self-aware? Did they give me a better understanding of my values and how they interacted with the culture surrounding me? And does that make me a better, more insightful employee than colleagues who stayed in the same place?

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EU offers British teenagers free Interrail pass

4 May 2018 (The Guardian)

British teenagers are to be given the chance to bid farewell to Europe with free Interrail passes for up to 30 days this summer.

The free tickets, worth up to £400 each, will be offered to any EU citizens who turn 18 before July as part of a pilot DiscoverEU scheme funded by the EU.

With Brexit on the horizon this is the first and last year British teenagers can apply for the rail bonanza, which has just been launched in Brussels.

“Any future participating depends on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations and the future relationship between the UK and the EU,” said Nathalie Vandystadt, the EU commission spokesperson for education, culture, youth and sport.

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Work shadowing in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

30 April 2018 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut is pleased to announce a one week work shadowing visit from 20 October to 27 October 2018 to Schwäbisch Hall in Germany.

The participants should be between 16 and 17 years old with at least GCSE-level German and will have the opportunity to experience work in a small or medium sized German company. They will also have language tuition and guidance on Germany today as well as short excursions in the local surroundings.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for further information and to apply by 15 June 2018.

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Student competition to win a month studying at a Hong Kong university

24 April 2018 (British Council)

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London is offering sixth form students a chance to boost their CV by spending a month at a Hong Kong university this summer. All they have to do is demonstrate why they think Hong Kong is a unique and attractive place for start-up businesses. 

Visit the British Council website for more information.

Applications close on 8 May 2018.

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Would you like to explore Europe this summer?

20 April 2018 (European Commission)

Are you 18 years old? Would you like to explore Europe? Then you are the perfect candidate to apply for a new European Union initiative to be officially launched shortly.

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Irvine brothers wine and dine with First Minister in China

20 April 2018 (Irvine Times)

Two Irvine brothers have hosted a dinner with Nicola Sturgeon in China after winning a year-long scholarship in the Far East.

Twins Owen and Robin Wilson wined and dined the First Minster last week during her current visit to China.

The brothers, who are 18, flew out to Beijing last year after both winning a place on the coveted Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) Scholarship Programme which, in partnership with Strathclyde University, sees 23 students picked to live in China and attend Tianjin Foreign Studies University for a full academic year.

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Spain is the most popular choice for students planning to study abroad

18 April 2018 (THE)

Spain is the number one destination for international students planning to study abroad, according to a survey conducted by GoEuro.

More than 5,700 students from 10 countries were surveyed by the travel platform, of which 18 per cent picked Spain as their top choice. The UK came in at a close second (16 per cent).

As well as Spain being the overall top choice, it was also selected by British students as their top choice, with more than a fifth (21 per cent) choosing the Mediterranean country. France (16 per cent), Germany (12 per cent), the Netherlands (10 per cent) and Italy (9 per cent) also proved to be popular choices for students from the UK.

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Language Leaders - training week in Cavilam

16 April 2018 (Institut français)

For the third year, the Institut français is offering grants to six Language Leaders of Scotland to attend a one week training course in France.

The course will take place at the Cavilam Alliance française de Vichy from 30 July to 3 August 2018.

The Cavilam is an international centre of excellence for French teachers and teachers' trainers which welcomes teachers from all over the world.

This course is open to all practitioners with a leading role on your 1+2 strategy: in a school, a cluster, or at the council or regional level.

Further information regarding the grants, programme, accommodation/transport and how to apply can be found in the attached documents. Please note that the Institut français covers only the course fee.

The application deadline is 11 May 2018.

Scottish students in China

8 April 2018 (Scottish Government)

Scottish students will get the opportunity to live and study in China through funding for the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools Scholarship Programme.

The £754,000 investment in the work of the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) was announced as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met some of the current scholars in Beijing on the first day of her visit to China. She learned how the scheme has helped to build links between young people in both countries, improving language skills and widening horizons for those taking part.

Applications for the programme are open to 6th year pupils in Confucius Classroom Hubs around Scotland. So far 70 Scottish students have been awarded scholarships.

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Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee Report on Erasmus+

5 April 2018 (Scottish Government)

The Scottish Government's Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee launched a short and focused inquiry into Scotland's participation in the Erasmus+ programme in November 2017. The purpose of the inquiry was to learn more about the opportunities currently available under Erasmus+ and to consider the implications of Scotland no longer participating in the programme after the UK withdraws from the European Union (EU).

The report highlights that Erasmus+ also plays an important role in supporting the Scottish Government’s 1+2 (mother tongue + 2 additional languages) approach to language learning.

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European professional development workshops

22 March 2018 (British Council eTwinning)

This term, why not apply to go on a short, fully-funded workshop in another European country?

Applications are now open for teachers of pupils aged 3-19 across a range of subject areas to attend a fully-funded 2-3 day professional development workshop in Turkey, Latvia, Norway and Armenia. These events are designed to facilitate new eTwinning projects through partner-finding and project planning activities. Workshop themes and subject areas are varied, spanning cultural diversity to SEN and the environment.

Visit the website for more information about each event and submit your application by 31 March 2018. 

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Youth seminar in Berlin: 'Finding our place in history'

22 March 2018 (UK-German Connection)

UK students aged 16-19 with an interest in history, discussing identity, reconciliation and more, are invited to apply for the seminar taking place in Berlin from 1-3 June 2018. We will combine these themes through site visits and lively discussions, which will bring young people from the UK and Germany together to work on projects to promote a better, more united future.

UK-German Connection will cover all seminar costs, including flights, local and domestic travel and full board and lodging.

German language skills are not essential. Some German language elements will be included in the seminar but no prior knowledge is necessary and/or translations will be provided.

Visit the website for full details and to apply by Monday 16 April 2018.

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Erasmus+: Global skills for a global future

22 March 2018 (British Council)

The debate over the details of the UK’s future collaboration with the EU is at a critical stage. Emma Skelton reports on a recent expert seminar on the future of UK-EU partnerships for higher education.

The British Council and the Centre for European Policy Studies recently convened a high-level policy dialogue in Brussels on ‘The Future of the EU-UK Partnership on Higher Education and Student Mobility’. This was part of a series of events between key EU and UK policymakers and influencers examining the implications of Brexit for existing collaboration in the sectors of international development, culture and education. 

Much discussion at the event focussed on the Erasmus+ programme. Erasmus+ is the largest provider of student mobility for British students to countries in Europe and beyond. Contributors to the seminar highlighted the importance of the UK to the scheme as a whole, as one of the most popular destination countries, which speakers attributed in part to the excellent reputation of UK universities. They also emphasised the call from British companies for more talent with international experience, intercultural awareness and language skills, which can all be gained through mobility programmes such as Erasmus+.

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Youth conference: Culture and heritage in a digital world

22 March 2018 (UK-German Connection)

In collaboration with British Council Germany, and as part of the European Year of Cultural Heritage UK-German Connection is holding a three-day Youth Conference on 'Cultural Heritage' in Berlin on 15-17 June 2018. Successful applicants will work together with other young people, from the UK and Germany, to explore both the history and future of cultural heritage.

Applicants should be aged 16-19 and still in full time education. Those who are successful will be expected to do some preparatory work prior to the conference, which will include digital tasks.

German language skills are not required for the conference. Some German language elements will be included in the conference, but you don’t need any prior knowledge and/or translations will be provided.

UK-German Connection will cover all costs, including flights, local and domestic travel and full board and lodging.

Visit their website for more information and to apply by 19 April 2018.

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Registrations now open for Language Linking Global Thinking 2018-19

22 March 2018 (SCILT)

SCILT is now inviting schools to register their interest in taking part in the Language Linking Global Thinking initiative in session 2018/19. 

The project links students on their year abroad with primary and secondary schools. Students communicate with a designated class in their partner school during the course of the year to illustrate how enriching it is to spend a year abroad using a language other than English. 

While the student is abroad, the partner school receives regular contact from the student through emails, sending postcards and other resources. The correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language. 

Key points for teachers

• Please note this is a two-way correspondence, and schools are expected to reply to blog posts, submit questions, and fully engage with their link student. 
• A representative from the school, ideally the class teacher using the link, must attend the training day on 8th June in Glasgow. 

If you would like to request a link for this project in session 2018-19, please complete the registration form. 

Visit the LLGT webpage for more information on Language Linking Global Thinking, and to read some of the student blogs from previous years.

Professional development in Germany

21 March 2018 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut is again able to offer a number of grants to teachers for professional development courses in Germany. The offer is aimed at German teachers just embarking on their career, as well as at teachers expanding their commitments to GCSE and A-level. Those who train German language teachers are also able to benefit from the variety of courses.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information about the courses available and how to apply. Please note, teachers in Scotland should apply to the Glasgow office.

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Number of British students studying abroad plummets, report finds

29 November 2017 (The Telegraph)

The number of British students studying abroad has plummeted, a British Council report has found.

A reluctance to leave family and friends and a lack of foreign language skills have dampened the desire of UK students to venture overseas, according to a survey of more than 1,000 undergraduates.

Just 18 per cent were interested in some form of overseas study, down from 34 per cent in 2015.

The report by education organisation the British Council said living costs abroad and tuition fees were the biggest turn-off for more than half of those who said they did not want to study abroad. This was followed by difficulty leaving loved ones, being happy in their life in the UK and a lack of confidence in foreign languages.

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Study abroad is invaluable – students deserve clarity on Erasmus

27 November 2017 (The Guardian)

As a hopeless optimist, I am finding it difficult to adjust to the growing possibility of a no-deal Brexit. For universities – as for many other sectors of the economy and society – there is a huge amount at stake. While the rhetoric on both sides in relation to higher education and research has been very positive, the frequently expressed mutual desire to maintain co-operation will be more difficult to achieve in the absence of an agreement on our future relationship with the EU.

Based on the public comments of ministers, including the prime minister, and of our European counterparts, a deal would almost certainly secure the UK’s continued participation in Horizon 2020 and Erasmus + until the end of the current programmes. It could also pave the way for the UK to participate in future programmes under association agreements. Without a deal, however, we could find ourselves reliving the experience of our Swiss colleagues, who were shut out of these programmes overnight in 2014.

For students planning to study abroad, this continued uncertainty is a growing problem. This autumn, students starting at UK universities for whom a third year abroad is a compulsory element of their programmes arrived on campus not knowing how that year abroad would be organised. Universities could not tell them with any certainty whether the UK will still be eligible to participate in the Erasmus + scheme – and the same was true for our European counterparts whose students might be planning to come to the UK.

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Study abroad: ‘I like being part of an international community’

10 November 2017 (The Guardian)

Kate Pemberton, 24, spent a semester of her undergraduate anthropology and international relations degree at the University of Copenhagen. She loved it – so when it came to choosing a master’s, the city was her first choice.

[...] Pemberton feels the experience of studying abroad has given her valuable skills. “I’ve been learning Danish, which isn’t the most useful language, but I think any language is a bonus on your CV,” she says. “Plus, employers want what moving abroad and living in a different country gives you – you become more adaptable and can survive in stressful situations. It makes you more resilient and you open yourself up to more opportunities.”

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Teach abroad as an English language assistant

6 November 2017 (British Council)

Applications to become a British Council Language Assistant for 2018-19 are now open!

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The Go International: Stand Out campaign

2 November 2017 (Erasmus+)

Universities UK International (UUKi) are calling for higher education providers to join the Go International: Stand Out campaign to help reach their goal of doubling the percentage of UK undergraduate students who go abroad as part of their studies by 2020. Here Stephanie Kleynhans, Policy Officer at UUKi, tells us about the new campaign.

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Will learning a language abroad for a year make you fluent?

27 October 2017 (The Guardian)

There’s no right way to learn a new language; some people prefer poring over books, while others go for apps or traditional lessons with a tutor. Immersing yourself is a surefire way to accelerate the process, though, and a year abroad is an opportunity to do just that. Which is not to say that it’ll be easy. The road to fluency is long and likely to be littered with confusing – and often embarrassing – moments. Here’s a quick guide to help you get there.

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GTCS Professional Recognition for LFEE Programmes

23 October 2017 (LFEE)

LFEE were delighted – and very proud - to collect a GTCS Professional Recognition Accredited Programme Award last month for our three-week French/Spanish Immersion Programmes and the 12-month Modern Languages Immersion and Methodology Programme. This is following on from having achieved course accreditation three years ago.

Representatives from ten Local Authorities from across Scotland attended the PowerLanguage conference to witness the launch of the NEW PowerLanguage Schools (PLS) website. Feedback from those present was extremely positive and the new site is now available to other practitioners!

Our “off the shelf” L3 in Mandarin was also very popular and will be available in Spanish soon.

Last but not least, we’re very excited to say that Caroline Gordon has joined our team 2 days a week and will be helping us with communication and social media amongst other things!

Contact us for information regarding any of the above projects. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Could instant translation technology revolutionise world HE?

17 October 2017 (THE)

Language is often cited as one of the main obstacles to universities’ internationalisation efforts, blamed for everything from the low number of UK students studying abroad to Japan’s lagging behind on numbers of foreign academics and internationally co-authored publications.

So could new technology allow students and academics to transcend language barriers – and therefore transform international higher education?

Earlier this month Google launched Pixel Buds – a new set of wireless earbud headphones that deliver real-time translation between 40 different languages using Google Translate on a Pixel smartphone.

Bragi’s Dash Pro earbuds deliver the same feature using the iTranslate app on an iPhone.

Colin Mitchell, learning technologist at Leeds Beckett University, said that the technology has the potential to benefit scholars and students.

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Tianjin scholarship

13 October 2017 (CISS)

The application process for the Tianjin scholarship 2018-2019 is now open. Further information about the scholarship which offers young people the opportunity to study Mandarin in Tianjin can be found on our website. The closing date for applications is Monday 6 November 2017.

Please note that we can only accept applications from current 6th years in an authority with a Confucius Classroom hub.

If you have any questions or would like any further information, please contact ciss-info@strath.ac.uk.

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European Youth Event (EYE) 2018

11 October 2017 (European Parliament)

There's still time to apply for the third European Youth Event (EYE) which will be taking place 1-2 June 2018 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

EYE provides a unique opportunity for young Europeans, aged between 16 and 30, to make their voices heard and to come up with innovative ideas for the future of Europe.

EYE2018 includes a wide range of activities in English, French and German run under the motto "The plan is to fan this spark into a flame." (Hamilton, My Shot). The activities centre around five main themes:

• Young and old: Keeping up with the digital revolution
• Rich and poor: Calling for a fair share
• Apart and together: Working out for a stronger Europe
• Safe and dangerous: Staying alive in turbulent times
• Local and global: Protecting our planet

Visit the EYE2018 website for more information. Groups of at least 10 young people who want to take part need to register on the website between October and December 2017.

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eTwinning face to face workshops

10 October 2017 (eTwinning)

This term, why not apply to go on a short workshop in another European country?

Applications are now open for teachers from Early Years to Upper Secondary to attend a 2-3 day professional development workshop in Ireland and Spain. These events are designed to facilitate new eTwinning projects through partner-finding and project planning activities. Workshop themes and subject areas are varied, spanning e-safety to computational thinking, MFL, history and culture.

Visit the website to find out more and apply by 16/19 October 2017 respectively.

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2017-18 Tianjin Scholars Blogs now live

6 October 2017 (CISS)

The first blog entries from a number of Tianjin Scholars are now available to read on the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools website.

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Magical Christmas Trips deadline reminder: 26 September

19 September 2017 (UK-German Connection)

There's still time to apply to take part in a Magical Christmas Trip to Germany this year!

These visits offer primary pupils the chance to get a taste of Germany at Christmas time, meet their German peers and get involved in some seasonal intercultural activity. Secondary pupils have the opportunity to brush up on their German and practice their skills as young leaders.

There are two options for getting involved: either by applying to take part in a visit to Berlin run by UK-German Connection or by applying for funding to run your own Christmas visit to a partner school anywhere in Germany.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information and to apply by 26 September 2017.

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Former Carnoustie High pupils in dream China scholarship trip

16 September 2017 (The Courier)

For most young university freshers, leaving the nest for the first time is a daunting experience. But two former Carnoustie High pupils have taken a bigger leap than most by flying half way around the world as part of a prestigious scholarship programme.

[...] The pair are two of only 22 young people from across Scotland to be awarded a full scholarship to study Mandarin at Tianjin Foreign Studies University for the 2017/18 academic session.

They both studied the language at the school’s Confucius Classroom Hub - one of only 34 in Scotland - and were active members of the Mandarin Club.

The pair successfully interviewed for the programme after initially attending a 17-day language immersion course in Tianjin last year, organised by the university’s Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS).

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eTwinning

15 September 2017 (eTwinning)

eTwinning offers a platform for teachers to communicate, collaborate, share and develop projects with like-minded colleagues across Europe.

Visit the website to find out more about eTwinning and how being part of the community can benefit you and your pupils.

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Professional development in Germany

13 September 2017 (Goethe-Institut)

Every year the Goethe-Institut offers an attractive range of residential training and language courses for teachers of German: for primary and secondary teachers, for teachers in further education and teacher trainers:

• Language Courses
• Landeskunde
• Methodology/Teaching Strategies

Deadline for applications: 15 October 2017. 

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information. Teachers from Scotland, please apply to Goethe-Institut Glasgow.

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Indiana University Global Gateway for Teachers

12 September 2017 (Indiana University)

For many years, primary and secondary schools worldwide have hosted final year students as part of Indiana University's Global Gateway for Teachers. The student teachers, who may spend up to 12 weeks in the country, have proven to make valuable contributions to the life and work of school during their stay.

For several years, Highland Council has successfully hosted many students, and the aim is to now extend the programme to include as many Scottish Local Authorities as are interested.

More information about the programme can be found in the attached letter.

10 of the best language with activity holidays around the world

5 September 2017 (The Guardian)

Spanish and tango? German and skiing? Or even Japanese and manga? Learn a language in the native country and add some extracurricular fun with these holiday courses that offer a skill or some culture, too.

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History teachers' professional development tour to Berlin

25 August 2017 (German Embassy)

The German Embassy is inviting applications for their next Professional Development Tour for British Teachers of History to Berlin, Germany, 15 – 21 October 2017.

The purpose of the trip is to give participants a wide-ranging impression of present-day Germany as a background for teaching German history in UK schools. The trip will include highlights of contemporary Berlin, talks with history teachers and teachers’ associations, visits to the German Historical Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Federal Foreign Office, the Reichstag and more.

The tour will be conducted in English. All costs relating to the trip will be covered by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Please see the attached flyer and booking form for more information. Apply by 8 September 2017.

European Youth Event (EYE) 2018

24 August 2017 (European Parliament)

The third European Youth Event (EYE) will be taking place 1-2 June 2018 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. It provides a unique opportunity for young Europeans, aged between 16 and 30, to make their voices heard and to come up with innovative ideas for the future of Europe.

EYE2018 includes a wide range of activities in English, French and German run under the motto "The plan is to fan this spark into a flame." (Hamilton, My Shot). The activities centre around five main themes:

• Young and old: Keeping up with the digital revolution
• Rich and poor: Calling for a fair share
• Apart and together: Working out for a stronger Europe
• Safe and dangerous: Staying alive in turbulent times
• Local and global: Protecting our planet

Visit the EYE2018 website for more information. Groups of at least 10 young people who want to take part need to register on the website between October and December 2017.

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What not to do: Tips from a returning Tianjin scholar

21 August 2017 (CISS)

Having returned from her year on the scholarship programme, Maeve MacLeod shares her experiences and advice on making the most of China.

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UK students ‘may be barred from Erasmus after Brexit’

1 August 2017 (THE)

Erasmus, the world's largest student exchange scheme, is celebrating its 30th birthday.

With more than three million participants since 1987, it is one of the best known and most successful policies of the European Union. 

Now including adult learners, vocational students and those on work placements, in addition to university students, it has created an “Erasmus generation”, having been responsible for more than a million babies born from couples who met as part of the scheme.

About 16,000 UK students now spend a semester or a year abroad as part of Erasmus every year. France, Spain and Germany remain the most popular destinations for these students, reflecting the traditional emphasis on students taking modern language or combination degrees. However, many universities across continental Europe now offer modules in English, which has helped to increase the number of UK students able to participate who do not have prior language skills. As students strive to add distinctiveness to their CVs, the number of UK participants has increased.

In addition, the UK is one of the most popular destinations for European students, with these study placements becoming part of Britain's cultural and educational ‘soft power’ by creating thousands of de-facto UK alumni across Europe.

However, while the House of Commons Education Committee believes that “continued membership of Erasmus+ would be the best outcome for the UK”, its future participation was not mentioned in the government’s recent White Paper.  The government has only committed itself to considering future participation.

The question therefore is “can the UK continue to be part of it post-Brexit?”

Since Erasmus is a programme of the European Union and established by EU law, the initial answer is no.

However, as with everything else, all depends on the exit agreement between the UK and EU before the UK leaves in March 2019. It may be that the UK continues to be a part of the scheme up to the end of the current programme (2014-2020) with future involvement subject to a separate agreement.

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Survey shows long-term impacts of language travel

27 July 2017 (The Pie)

When asked what helped them improve their language skill the most, 90% of respondents to global language provider Sprachcaffe’s Language Learning Sustainability Project said it was face-to-face interaction with other people.

Over half said they are more confident speaking the language thanks to the experience of learning abroad while 20% said it helped them travel more and 13% said it contributed to a change in their work life.

“Our product [study travel] is unique because it’s learning and travel. When it comes to language learning you can do it online quick and easy but if you want something more valuable you have language learning trips,” said Pauline Pitte, the study’s co-author.

Taken over six months in 2016, the survey attracted former students from all over the world who had been on a language course abroad within the last five to 10 years. The project aims to show the long-term impacts of language learning abroad, said Pitte.

“We don’t want to make this about online versus in-class learning, we just wanted to explore the package students get when they go on language exchanges. Is it efficient for everyone?”.

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UK-German Connection news - Summer 2017

9 June 2017 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a number of opportunities for UK schools to partner with a school in Germany. The following options are currently available. Follow the appropriate link for more information:

• Host a Teacher from Germany - apply by 10 July / 21 September
• Funding for UK-German activities
• Young Europeans Award
• History Teacher Tour (organised by the German Embassy London)

Visit the UK-German Connection website to find out more about all their activities.

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Not speaking another language stops almost five MILLION adults from going abroad

2 June 2017 (Daily Express)

Almost two thirds of Britons admit that they wish they were better at languages as it would allow them to become more deeply immersed in other cultures.

An international study from booking site Hostelworld, questioned more than 8,000 people in six countries about how their language skills impact on travel plans.

The research reveals that one in 10 UK adults (10 per cent) - the equivalent of 4.7 million adults - are put-off traveling because of language barriers, which particularly affects the younger generation (18-24s) where it rises to 15 per cent.

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Campaign seeks to double share of UK students studying abroad

25 April 2017 (THE)

A campaign aimed at doubling the proportion of UK students who spend time abroad during their degree has been launched by Universities UK International.

The new target forms the second phase of the organisation’s UK Strategy for Outward Mobility, which since 2013 has aimed to increase the share of students who have an international experience. However, the strategy has not previously set a figure.

Just 6.6 per cent of full-time undergraduates in the UK undertook international placements during their degree in 2014. The campaign seeks to increase this figure to 13.2 per cent by 2020 in order to “create a new generation of global graduates and a higher education culture in which international opportunities are an aspiration for all students”.

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Link with a German school

24 April 2017 (UK-German Connection)

Broaden your pupils' horizons and enhance your school's international dimension by linking with a German school. Find out how to set up and develop a partnership with a German school, including practical tips and advice on joint activities, projects and visits to Germany.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information.

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Half of young adults in the UK do not feel European, poll reveals

11 April 2017 (The Guardian)

Only half of the UK’s young adults see themselves as having a European identity and one in five do not identify as being British, a survey has found.

The poll also found that exposure to different nationalities among 18- to 30-year-olds in the UK was low, with just 13% ever having worked abroad and just one in three proficient enough to speak Spanish, French or any other foreign language at a “simple” level.

According to the study, commissioned by thinktank Demos and supported by the British Council as part of the Next Generation research series, young people were also less well travelled than reports on student gap years would imply.

Read more...

Language Linking Global Thinking 2017/18 - Registrations of interest

30 March 2017 (SCILT)

SCILT is now inviting schools to register their interest in taking part in the Language Linking Global Thinking initiative in session 2017/18. 

The project links students on their year abroad with primary and secondary schools. Students communicate with a designated class in their partner school during the course of the year to illustrate how enriching it is to spend a year abroad using a language other than English. 

While the student is abroad, the partner school keeps in regular contact with the student by emailing, sending postcards and other resources. The two-way correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language. 

If you would like to take part in this project for session 2017-18, please complete the registration form. 

Visit the SCILT LLGT webpage for more information on Language Linking Global Thinking, including the blogs students have used to facilitate their contact with the schools.

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Commission gives a boost to youth mobility in Europe

27 March 2017 (European Commission)

The European Commission presented today an initiative under the Erasmus+ programme which further supports learning and mobility of young Europeans. Called "Move2Learn, Learn2Move", it will enable at least 5,000 young citizens to travel to another EU country in a sustainable manner – individually or together with their school class. The one-off initiative, which is linked to the 30th anniversary of the Erasmus programme, is consistent with two central priorities of the Commission: to put a renewed focus on Europe's youth, and to facilitate EU citizens' mobility, particularly low emission mobility.

Move2Learn, Learn2Move builds on an idea put forward by the European Parliament in 2016. It will be implemented through eTwinning, the world's biggest teachers' network. Part of Erasmus+, it enables teachers and pupils across Europe to develop projects together through an online platform.

[..] The initiative will be open to school classes of students aged 16 and above taking part in eTwinning.

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Consultation on Erasmus+

20 March 2017 (Erasmus+)

The March 2017 edition of the Erasmus+ newsletter invites organisations and individuals to complete a questionnaire to share experiences and opinions to help shape how the programme might look after 2020.

The newsletter also contains news on upcoming events and activities.

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What it's like to study a modern languages degree

23 February 2017 (Times Higher Education)

Are modern language degrees becoming obsolete? Absolutely not, say these four modern languages students.

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UK-German Connection latest news

21 February 2017 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a number of opportunities for schools in the UK and Germany to develop and maintain partnerships. In their latest Spring 2017 newsletter they highlight the following:

• With the changing landscape of international relations, we want to make sure we're still offering you the right kind of support to keep your connections with Germany alive.We're currently reviewing the opportunities and services we offer and would like to invite you to tell us what you need now for your schools and pupils. Complete the short survey.
• Deadline reminder of 1 March for applications for the following summer courses in Germany:
  • German Pupil Course.
  • German Scholarships Programme.
  • Teachers can also apply for paid opportunities as group leaders on the German Pupil Course.

• Host a German Language Assistant - British Council applications for 2017-18 are now open.

For upcoming deadlines for the rest of the school year, download our calendar of opportunities for 2016-17.

For further information about UK-German Connection and their activities, visit their website.

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Regulations are unintentionally killing the French exchange and our students will be all the poorer for it

6 February 2017 (TES)

Not long ago, schools would send many, many students on exchange trips to France but new red tape makes this unfeasible, writes one leading headteacher.

It’s funny how often laws or regulations collide. Perhaps the most famous absurdity can be found in Joseph Heller’s novel, Catch 22: airmen couldn’t be discharged from the American army in the Second World War unless proven mad. Yet to seek discharge was the only sane thing to do in an insane conflict.

This is, of course, the law of unintended consequences. A great example is this country's shortage of doctors. Many among the refugees arriving in the UK are qualified doctors but, as refugees, they’re forbidden to work.

Another example is a regulation now hitting schools, creating what I’d describe as another unintended consequence – unintended because, if it was spotted, then it’s crazy.

Ever more stringent safeguarding requirements, recently reinforced in the latest version of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), make it all but impossible for schoolchildren on a language exchange to stay with host families in, say, France, Germany or Spain.

According to Annexe E of KCSIE, “such arrangements could amount to ‘private fostering’ under the Children Act 1989 or the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, or both”.

Thus, if a school makes an arrangement with, for example, its opposite number in France, so that the English children stay with French families and vice versa, they’re setting up “private fostering”. Because the school is a regulated activity provider, all adults in the host home must have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

In the heyday of language exchanges, schools might have sent 50 or more children to France or Germany. Calculate the DBS checks required for the return visit, estimating two adults over 18 in every house (not necessarily parents): 100-plus. I guess they’d be free, being for volunteers, but the cost in office time of that paper-chase is colossal – as well as dragging parents in for their identity checks and the like.

Even if we can navigate that bureaucratic labyrinth, what about the parent who feels that such a check is intrusive or just plain wrong? If they stand on principle and refuse to be checked, they cannot host a child from the exchange school.

This regulation is surely the death knell for such activities as language exchanges. Even with all parents in both schools willing to be checked, sheer administrative workload makes the task impracticable in a busy school.

Read more...

Why Brexit won't spell the end for our European exchange programme

6 February 2017 (The Telegraph)

It was at the end of February last year, that myself and my fellow languages students found out where we would be spending our third year abroad.  Most of us had chosen to study at various universities across Europe with the help of Erasmus, the European Union’s university study programme that has benefited hundreds of thousands of young people both in Britain and on the continent over the past 30 years. 

Little did we know then that four months later, the British public would vote to leave the European Union, and as the 23 June loomed, it dawned on us how Brexit might impact our studies abroad.  Will leaving the EU mean that Britain will also leave the Erasmus programme?  Many of us were expecting our elaborate year abroad plans to suddenly become scuppered, but in short, the answer is no, and eight months later, Britain’s involvement in the Erasmus scheme remains unchanged.

However, one can’t help but wonder how much longer Britain’s involvement in Erasmus will last.  With Article 50 set to be triggered no later than the end of March and the Prime Minister announcing our exit from the Single Market, will the EU continue to consider us part of a scheme that is so dependent on the free movement of people?

Read more...

eTwinning Workshops

3 February 2017 (British Council eTwinning)

Interested in eTwinning and partnering with schools across Europe on collaborative projects? Check out the professional development opportunities in the UK and overseas for both primary and secondary sectors.

Visit the British Council eTwinning website for more information.

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Summer courses in Germany: Deadline 1 March 2017

1 February 2017 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection has the following summer courses in Germany, which are currently open for applications:

• two-week part-funded German Pupil Courses for Yr 10 (S3) and Yr 12 (S5) pupils (separate courses)
• fully-funded four-week German Scholarships programme for Yr 12 (S5) pupils

Both programmes combine language learning with cultural trips and excursions, as well as staying with host families.

Not sure about applying? Our mentors are happy to answer your questions. Pupils can contact us to be put in touch.

• There’s also a paid CPD opportunity for teachers to act as group leaders on the German Pupil Courses

The application deadline for all programmes is 1 March 2017.

For more information about the courses in Germany and other activities undertaken by UK-German Connection, visit their website.

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UK-German Connection Funding

26 January 2017 (UK-German Connection)

A reminder that the next deadline for grants for UK-German activities is 31 January 2017.

For an 'at a glance' overview of our grants and details about each programme, please visit the UK-German Connection website.

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Language exchange trips ‘killed’ off by safeguarding worries and costs

16 January 2017 (Schools Week)

Schools trying to organise language exchange trips face increasing hurdles including costs, visas and “unclear” government guidance on safeguarding, according to speakers at a Westminster education forum held today in London.

The “dull” content of modern foreign languages lessons, which one delegate said was “intellectually insulting” to pupils, was being made worse by a decline in exchange trips that would otherwise bring vocabulary to life.

Mike Buchanan, chair of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference for independent schools (HMC), told teachers and policy makers that “the bureaucracy and hurdles in the way of exchange visits is killing them”.

Buchanan, who is also headteacher of Ashford school in Kent, said the desire among teachers to organise trips “had not diminished” but guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) – Keeping Children Safe in Education – updated in September last year was “less clear” on the issue of foreign exchange trips than previously and placed an onus on schools to carry out vetting and barring checks on host families in England.

“The impact is that schools are less inclined to engage in exchanges and trips.”

Read more...

Erasmus+ application support

9 January 2017 (Erasmus+)

The next Erasmus+ funding deadline for Key Action 1 School Staff Mobility is 2 February. For UK schools and colleges, the UK National Agency has guidance documentation, and videos on an introduction to Schools Key Action 1 and completing the eForm.

There is also a Q&A webinar at 4-5pm on 19 January.

Read more...

LFEE Europe immersion courses in France and Spain 2017-18

6 January 2017 (LFEE)

LFEE Europe has been an international course provider since 2002. Our team of experienced and fully qualified native teachers are committed to promoting French and Spanish language and culture throughout Europe. Funding for all our courses is available through the European Union Erasmus+ Programme.

For more information see the attached flyer or visit the LFEE website.

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English Language Assistants Programme

4 January 2017 (British Council)

Students and graduates - work across the world as an English Language Assistant. There is no better way to explore and experience life in another country than by living in it.

The English Language Assistants programme provides a unique opportunity for UK students and graduates to experience living abroad and make their CV stand out from the crowd by supporting the teaching of English in an overseas school or university.

Language Assistants can gain a wealth of transferable skills as well as proficiency in a foreign language by becoming immersed in another culture. Placements are paid and teaching time is limited to between 12 and 20 hours a week which puts assistants in a great position to be able to travel, learn and pursue new interests.

Placements are available in fourteen countries worldwide including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, China, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and Latin America.

Visit the British Council website and see where becoming an English Language assistant can take you. Applications for the 2017-18 academic year are now open and will close on 28 February 2017.

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Eilidh’s next year of study is full of Eastern Promise

1 January 2017 (Milngavie Herald)

Eilidh McConnell, a sixth year pupil at Douglas Academy in Milngavie, has won a scholarship to study and work in China next year.

Eilidh, who will defer her University place for a year, competed with other Scottish pupils and was interviewed in Strathclyde University for the place. The opportunity is offered by the Confucious Institute of Scotland which seeks to promote Chinese language and culture in Scotland.

Read more...

Generation UK – China Scholarship programme

14 December 2016 (British Council)

Through Generation UK, the British Council have opened up a range of opportunities in China, giving students the chance to experience the country, language and culture while gaining valuable skills for the future.

One student from the University of St Andrews shares her experience of taking part in the Generation UK - China Scholarship programme.

Read Victoria's story and find out more about the opportunities available on the British Council website.

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Teach English outside the UK

9 December 2016 (British Council)

With year-long and six-month paid placements and light teaching hours, becoming a Language Assistant is a unique way to experience another country and make your CV stand out from the crowd. Applications for the 2017-18 academic year are now open and will close on 28 February 2017.

Read more...

The best places to study for a degree in Europe

8 December 2016 (The Guardian)

Studying abroad is a fun way to grow up. You travel. You meet new people. You get out of your comfort zone. It shows you’re willing to get out, leave your home town, and go see the world. 

As it stands, some European countries enable Brits to study without paying tuition fees or incurring anywhere near as much debt as they would in the UK. Living costs can also be cheap. Many learn a new language and experience a different teaching style. Some stay on and find jobs. Others fall in love and life takes a different direction altogether. Whatever comes of it, studying in Europe is worth considering. Here’s a roundup of our top destinations.

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Media Release: Confucius Classroom launches in Moray

29 November 2016 (All Media Scotland)

A facility dedicated to promoting closer cultural links between school pupils in Moray and their counterparts in China was formally opened today.

The Confucius Classroom is part of a growing network of hubs – currently standing at more than 20 – being set up across Scotland to help promote Chinese language and culture in schools.

The Moray hub is based at Elgin Academy and will be resourced for children and young people from across the area to study all aspects of Chinese life.

It will also serve as a base for two teachers from China who will work closely with a total of 14 local secondary and primary schools during the current session.

The teaching posts are funded by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages at Strathclyde University where the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools is based.

Opportunities will also exist for teachers from Moray schools to undertake exchange visits to China, while pupils will also be able to take part in language immersion courses in Chinese schools.

Read more...

Too few UK students are studying overseas, and it’s a problem

17 November 2016 (THE)

This week is the British Council’s International Education Week, which promotes the benefits of international learning and cultural exchange.

The UK is a global hub for international students with more than 400,000 studying here last year. Yet British students travelling outside the UK to study is relatively rare, and this is a problem. Just 1.3 per cent of UK students travelled abroad to study or go on work placement in 2014-15.

For graduates to find jobs and succeed in today’s post-Brexit world, they need international and cross-cultural knowledge. It is also critical for the UK’s competitiveness in international markets that the next generation entering the workplace understands how to compete globally.

Employers expect graduates to appreciate cultural diversity, universal business language and be familiar with globalisation. However, in terms of having a global mindset, nearly a quarter of employers (24 per cent) have rated graduates as weak in this area.

Read more...

New job profile on the SCILT website

11 November 2016 (SCILT)

Our Job Profiles are designed to be used in the classroom to enhance learning about the world of work. They provide really relevant careers advice on languages, direct from the workplace, and cover a range of sectors. See our latest addition:

• Claire Murphy, Translator - a translator at the European Commission, Claire speaks Spanish, German and Italian and is currently learning French. She explains how cultural knowledge is as important as language skills in her role.

See this and other job profiles on our website now.

Read more...

LFEE Europe immersion courses 2017-2018 in France and Spain for primary and secondary teachers

8 November 2016 (LFEE)

The dates for our immersion courses 2017-2018 have just been released. Please visit the LFEE website to find out new dates and further information or see the attached brochure.

Successful applicants receive a grant from the British Council that covers all costs, including flights, accommodation and subsistence, as well as the course fee.

NEW: Immersion follow up

If you have already attended our immersion course in France in the past and wish to attend another course with us, we have created a follow up immersion which will take place in the beautiful city of Avignon in Provence. Please contact us for further information.

Should you wish to participate in our immersion courses in France or Spain from July 2017 to April 2018, please pre-register at immersions@lfee.net and we will send you further information on how to apply to the Erasmus+ European funding for schools.

Do not hesitate to visit our website and blog for more information and to see what your colleagues have said about their course last summer.

A bientôt!

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Erasmus+ 2017 deadlines announced

21 October 2016 (Erasmus+)

All the deadlines and information on the types of activities you can apply for are contained in the 2017 Call for Proposals document and the 2017 Programme Guide both of which you can download from the Key Resources page of our website. The Call for Proposals is an overview document containing all the deadlines for 2017, while the Programme Guide contains all the detailed information on how to apply for Erasmus+ funding. You will need to read both documents when planning an application.

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Generation UK – China

6 October 2016 (British Council)

The British Council is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Scottish Government to support more students from Scottish universities to undertake internships in China through the British Council’s Generation UK – China campaign. The partnership will be focused on supporting Scottish students from low-income backgrounds to gain international experience in the world’s second-largest economy.

Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Scottish students to develop highly valuable knowledge and skills working in one of the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic economies. The Scottish Government’s support for this programme underlines our commitment to investing in Scotland’s future workforce and further strengthening our growing engagement with China.”

The Generation UK – China campaign will assist the Scottish Government in delivering its International Framework and in further strengthening relations with China. It will also develop the academic achievement and employability of students and recent graduates of Scotland’s higher education institutions.

“My experience interning in Beijing was fast-paced, exciting and always engaging,” said Justine Porter, a graduate of the University of Dundee who completed a two-month internship at a law firm in Beijing through the Generation UK – China campaign last year.

Visit the British Council website for more information.

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Magical Christmas Trips - deadline reminder: Monday 3 October 2016

28 September 2016 (UK-German Connection)

Give your primary pupils the chance to experience Germany's Christmas culture in a real-life setting! This four-day visit to Berlin will give them the chance to meet German children of the same age and get involved in seasonal intercultural activities.

Two options now available: apply for a visit run by UK-German Connection or receive funding to organise your own!

Read more...

Students undervalue study and work abroad, report argues

21 September 2016 (The Pie News)

Many students who have access to international experiences during higher education don’t realise their value until after they have graduated, according to a recent survey. Study abroad, overseas internships, language courses and intercultural exchanges are all overlooked by students during their studies, it found.

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Erasmus+ information sessions: Autumn 2016 series

19 September 2016 (Erasmus+)

Erasmus+ will be holding a series of free half-day information sessions in 6 venues across the UK.

The sessions are for any organisation in the UK working in the sectors of education, training, youth or sport. These events will provide an overview of the funding opportunities available under Erasmus+ in 2017, and are primarily intended for newcomers to the programme.

There will be a session in Glasgow on Wednesday 2 November 2016.

For information on all the locations and to register your place, visit the Erasmus+ website.

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eTwinning Professional Development Workshops - Autumn 2016

19 September 2016 (eTwinning)

Secondary school teachers and school leaders interested in embedding international practices in their classrooms are invited to apply for one of the professional development workshops taking place this November.

Each workshop aims to share good practice, meet project partners and set up high quality eTwinning projects on the themes below. The selected teachers and school leaders will have the opportunity to meet like-minded educators from Europe, learn innovative approaches and practice new skills.

• Workshop 1 - Immigration and tolerance (17-19 November, Greece)
• Workshop 2 - Storytelling (18-20 November, Iceland)
• Workshop 3 - Strategic Leadership for high quality eTwinning and Erasmus+ projects (24-26 November, UK - Cardiff)

For more information about each workshop and to apply, visit the eTwinning website.

Read more...

Languages 'Beyond School'

16 September 2016 (SCILT)

As the UCAS application process gets underway, make sure any pupils thinking of continuing their language studies checks out the Beyond School section of our website.

This section contains useful information to help senior pupils decide on the different language courses and options available once they have left school, at college, university or as part of a gap year. There are links to courses available in Scotland and across the UK.

Pupils, parents, guidance and careers staff should all find this section of our website useful.

Read more...

'It helped me grow up': students on why the Erasmus scheme must stay

14 September 2016 (The Guardian)

There are fears over the future of the Erasmus, a £112m EU exchange programme that allows students to spend time elsewhere in Europe as part of their degree. It’s believed that Brexit could put the scheme under threat and David Davis, the secretary of state for exiting the EU, is being urged to protect it.

Here, six people talk about their experiences of the programme.

Read more...

Magical Christmas Trips to Germany 2016

12 September 2016 (UK-German Connection)

Give your primary pupils the chance to experience Germany's Christmas culture in a real-life setting! This four-day visit will give them the chance to meet German children of the same age and get involved in seasonal intercultural activities.

As part of this programme, a group of primary pupils from the UK travel to Germany with their teachers, as well as 'mentors' from a nearby secondary school to meet their German peers, learn some new German words and get a taste of Christmas in Germany.

To find out more and how to apply, visit the UK-German Connection website.

The organisation offers a number of funded activities for primary and secondary pupils and teachers, details of which can also be found on their website. Visit their funding webpage for all the grant options available.

Read more...

'My Erasmus+ Moment' photo competition 2016

8 September 2016 (Erasmus+)

Erasmus+ is running a fun photo competition for anyone from the UK who has taken part in the Erasmus+ programme in 2016 – from students to staff members, volunteers to youth workers, teachers to trainers, and apprentices to trainees.

Send us your best ‘Erasmus+ Moment’ photo for a chance to win one of ten prizes and have it posted on our website and social media sites, produced as a canvas keepsake or perhaps even for it to appear in our brochures!

The competition closes on 13 October 2016.

Visit the website for full details and how to enter.

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HSBC/British Council Mandarin Chinese speaking competition

8 September 2016 (British Council)

The competition, organised by HSBC and the British Council, offers a fun opportunity for secondary students to practise and improve their Mandarin Chinese language skills.

Participating students have the chance to win a week in Beijing, visiting historical sites, interacting with Chinese students and experiencing Chinese culture.

Visit the British Council website to find out more and to apply by 7 October.

Read more...

Six professionals on why UK teenagers should learn languages

6 September 2016 (British Council Voices)

For many young people in the UK, learning another language is not a priority – only nine per cent of teenagers progressed beyond a basic level in the language they were learning in 2013. But with so many people around the globe already speaking English, I wanted to know if learning another language is really worth it. Here's what I found out from some people who would know.

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Travel grants for UK schools with partnerships in Germany

5 September 2016 (British Council)

The UK is the partner country for this year’s Oceans and Seas focussed Year of Science organised by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). Together with our UK partners the British Council Germany, the UK Science & Innovation Network and UK-German Connection, we invite you to take part in a collaborative Citizen Science Project working on the “Plastic Pirates” project together with your German partner school.

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has agreed to bear the travel and accommodation costs incurred by British partner schools who take part in the project.

Would you and your pupils like to become Plastic Pirates? If so, get in touch with your German partner school if they are also taking part in the programme. They should then let the Editorial Office of the Science Year know who will help you organise your research trip to Germany.

Visit the British Council or UK-German Connection websites for more information.

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Residential training courses in Germany 2017

30 August 2016 (Goethe-Institut)

Every year the Goethe-Institut offers an attractive range of residential training and language courses for teachers of German (specialists and non-specialists) as well as teacher trainers.

Available are language courses, courses on "Landeskunde", methodology and teaching strategies and also courses for teacher trainers.

Apply now for a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut Glasgow. Deadline for applications is 15 October 2016.

Details and application form are available on the Goethe-Institut website.

Read more...

New student profile on the SCILT website

26 August 2016 (SCILT)

A new addition to our job profile section this term comes from Euan Kerr, an aeronautical engineering student at the University of Strathclyde.

Euan aims to pursue a career in engineering and appreciates that language skills will help him broaden his options and secure work overseas.

With that in mind, when Euan spent his third year studying abroad in Prague he chose to take up learning Czech as part of his studies. Having learned French at school helped him pick up a new language and making the effort to speak Czech gained respect with the local community.

So if you have pupils considering STEM subjects when they leave school, they should perhaps take a leaf from Euan's book and consider language electives too.

Read Euan's full profile on our website.

Read more...

Cultural Classes in China

25 August 2016 (Claire Smith / CISS)

For 2 weeks in July I had the opportunity to visit Beijing on a language immersion course with a group of 20 teachers from all over Scotland. We were there as guests of the Beijing Culture and Language University to learn Mandarin and experience the culture of this amazing and, at times, intense city.

Language classes were held every morning, with the focus on vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure and pronunciation. As Mandarin is a tonal language it is a challenge to learn but it proved useful when exploring a city where English is not widely spoken! In the afternoon cultural activities were organised. We visited the main landmarks of Beijing, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. A trip north took us to the awe-inspiring Great Wall. On the afternoons when we weren’t sightseeing, we stayed on the university campus to learn calligraphy, tai chi and experience a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

This fantastic opportunity to further my knowledge of Chinese language and culture has enabled me to develop my practice – in both the teaching of Mandarin and China as an interdisciplinary topic. This term, I will also run a calligraphy class, where pupils will learn an ancient skill and the story behind the Chinese characters. For my own professional development, I am continuing to learn Mandarin through books and podcasts and in December I will take the HSK 1 exam.

This experience, along with the friendships I made and strengthened, is something I will never forget. Beijing is a city like no other – a mixture of ancient architecture and modern structures, of chaos and calm, of communism and capitalism, of east and west. At times it seemed daunting, but led by Meryl, Professional Development Officer from CISS, we were in excellent hands!

Funded International Learning Experience

8 June 2016 (Education Scotland)

The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education has forwarded on this invite from the Italian Ministry for a Scottish secondary school to participate in a learning experience focused on global interdependence, rights, migration, asylum seekers and refugees.

The successful school would engage pupils in preparatory learning experiences in their own school during September to prepare for a conference in Lampedusa, Italy, in October.

Visit Education Scotland's Learning Blog for more information about the opportunity.  Schools should apply by 16 June 2016.

Read more...

Visit China with Chinese Bridge for UK schools

6 June 2016 (British Council)

Are you interested in encouraging the teaching and learning of Mandarin in your school?

Chinese Bridge is offering an exciting opportunity for school leaders, heads of languages, and local authorities. If you want to invest in your own professional development, link with a school in China, or encourage teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture in school, this Hanban funded visit could be just what you need.

Travel, accommodation and expenses in China will be covered by the programme, but schools must pay for their own flights.

Successful applicants will be offered a place on a week’s visit to China from 22- 29 October 2016 and will be invited to take part in a pre-departure briefing to prepare for the visit.

Only 60 places are available, so visit the British Council Schools Online website to find out more and make sure you apply online by 12 noon on 7 July.

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The UK-German Bears project - apply now to host Alex and Ben

3 June 2016 (UK-German Connection)

Alex and Ben, our UK-German bears, are preparing for their travels again and can't wait to find out who they'll visit next! We can match you up with a German partner school to work with on this fun, interactive three-week project for primary children, which helps them learn about each other's language and culture.

Find out more about the project and available hosting dates on the UK-German Bears website.

UK-German Connection offers a variety of funded activities including professional development opportunities for teachers to visit Germany, the chance to host a German teacher at your school, as well as a Youth Ambassadors programme for young people interested in German language and culture.  See the calendar of opportunities available on the UK-German Connection website for full details.

Read more...

Connecting Classrooms school partnership programme

31 May 2016 (British Council)

Connecting Classrooms is a global education programme brought to you by the British Council in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID).

It offers a free learning journey which helps you to improve your classroom practice and develop your ideas with like-minded teachers internationally.

By developing and networking with thousands of teachers across the world, the British Council aims to help young people develop the knowledge, skills and values to live and work in a globalised economy.

To find out more about the programme and how to take part, visit the British Council Schools Online website, where you can also hear a participating teacher reflect on her time visiting Nigeria with Connecting Classrooms.

Read more...

Internships in China

9 May 2016 (Generation UK/British Council)

Whether you’re looking to pick up an internship in accounting, architecture, engineering or just about any other industry, Generation UK-China can help provide funding for your trip and make sure you make the most of your time in China.

Companies across the world are looking to engage with China, and value employees with experience in China immensely. New industries and work opportunities in China are rising up faster than the skyscrapers that accommodate them. Developing a connection with China could be the smartest choice you can make right now.

There are two-month internships available for applicants aged 18 years and over who are currently enrolled full-time at a UK university or who have graduated from a UK university within the past year. Whilst the ability to speak Mandarin is not essential, it is recommended successful applicants learn some of the basics.

Full details of the available opportunities, funding and application process can be found on the British Council's Study, Work, Create web portal.

Read more...

How Scotland Works - Project Trust

5 May 2016 (BBC)

If you missed the programme, How Scotland Works, screened on BBC2 on 3 May 2016, you can catch up with the show on iPlayer and see the global charity, Project Trust, welcoming candidates applying for an overseas volunteering placement to the isle of Coll (view from 30 minutes in)

The programme is available on iPlayer until 2 June 2016.

Read more...

Summer courses for UK teachers of Spanish

20 April 2016 (Consejería de Educación)

The Spanish Embassy Education Office offers 11 grants for summer courses in Santander (Spain), aimed at teachers of Spanish in the UK.

These grants are awarded by the Ministry of Education of Spain in collaboration with Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP), and cover course fees, materials, accommodation, meals and activities (journey not included).

If you are interested, please apply from 18 April to 2 May 2016 by following the instructions on the website.

Read more...

eTwinning Generation - Celebrating Ten Years of eTwinning

29 March 2016 (eTwinning)

Thinking about linking your class with another through an eTwinning project? Read the latest publication from the British Council eTwinning team which contains an inspiring collection of testimonials from former participants in eTwinning projects.

Many of the interviewed young people consider eTwinning to be the most motivating
and enjoyable way to learn. Their experiences with eTwinning have helped them to
develop their language and ICT skills, as well as an understanding of different cultures,
in line with the goals set out at the launch of the platform back in 2005. But there is
much more to it.

See the book 'eTwinning Generation - Celebrating Ten Years of eTwinning' and visit the website to find out how to start your own eTwinning journey.

Read more...

Win a summer school place in Hong Kong

23 March 2016 (Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office)

UK secondary school students in the senior phase are offered the chance to win a place at a university summer school in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London has launched for the fifth time the Student Competition this year with the title “Hong Kong: A Smart City in the World!”. The objective of the Competition is to enable British students to experience Hong Kong’s vibrancy, innovation and creativity; and to consider pursuing tertiary education in Hong Kong.

To enter, students are invited to conduct research on the strengths of Hong Kong to develop itself as a Smart City, and to come up with a proposed project for Hong Kong to further integrate technology to improve the quality of living. . Entries can be through any means – an essay or through social media, for example a video clip on YouTube, a post in a blog. Five winners will be selected and entries will be judged based on content, creativity and presentation. Entries to be submitted by 15 April 2016.

Full details are available on the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office website.

Read more...

Summer courses in France for French teachers and teacher trainers

21 March 2016 (CLA)

The Centre de Linguistique Appliquée (CLA) in France offers summer pedagogical training courses during July and August for French teachers and teacher trainers.

There are six different courses available, each designed to encourage exchange of ideas and networking.

The courses qualify for Erasmus+ funding. 

More information about the programmes on offer can be found on the attached pdf files or by visiting the CLA website.

Read more...

Study abroad: The world is your classroom

19 March 2016 (The Telegraph)

It’s cheaper, yes; but British students are finding other, more surprising benefits in studying abroad.

After thumbing through countless prospectuses, working out predicted A-levels and totting up the price of university, British students are picking up their passports and searching farther afield for an education.

Since 2010, there has been an explosion in English-taught degree programmes in continental Europe. Of the top 1,000 universities in the world offering 36,500 English-taught programmes, 75 per cent are outside Britain.

Read more...

Go and work abroad – it could have career benefits you never imagined

17 March 2016 (The Guardian)

I had a lot of good times working abroad – teaching English in Germany and working on summer camps in France and Spain – but I didn’t realise that I was also building valuable skills for my career.

Employers really value those with international experience. Katie Bateman, a careers advisor at the University of Gloucestershire, says it can set you apart from a crowd of other applicants. “Graduates can learn another language and prove just how adaptable they are by embracing change and learning to adjust to a different culture,” she says.

Read more...

Summer courses in Germany

4 March 2016 (UK-German Connection)

Only a week to go until the application deadline for UK-German Connection's funded summer courses in Germany!

Visit the website to find out more about the options available, check eligibility criteria and to apply by 10 March 2016:

• German Pupil Courses - two-week courses in Germany during July or August for UK secondary pupils studying German.  Find out what one pupil has to say about the German Pupil Courses in the video 'Rachel's experiences'.
• German Pupil Courses Group Leaders - 3 posts available for qualified UK teachers with experience of teaching German up to GCSE/S5 or A Level/S6 to lead groups on the GPC.
• German Scholarships Programme - a four-week programme for senior pupils to spend in Germany during July or August to improve their language and learn more about the German culture.

Read more...

Language Linking Global Thinking - promoting languages and global citizenship!

1 March 2016 (SCILT)

SCILT is inviting schools interested in taking part in the Language Linking Global Thinking initiative in session 2016/17 to register now. 

The project links students on their year abroad with primary and secondary schools. Students communicate with a designated class in their partner school during the course of the year to illustrate how enriching it is to spend a year abroad using a language other than English. 

While the student is abroad, the partner school keeps in regular contact with the student by emailing, sending postcards and other resources. The two-way correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language. 

If you would like to take part in this project for session 2016-17, please email SCILT. Places are limited.

More information on Language Linking Global Thinking, including the blogs students have used to facilitate their contact with the schools.

Study in France - apply for an Entente Cordiale Scholarship

26 February 2016 (French Embassy)

The Entente Cordiale Scholarship Scheme is a prestigious bi-lateral awards scheme that funds British postgraduate students who want to study in France and French students who want to study in the UK. Funded for the most part by the private sector in both countries the scheme provides funding for around 20 French and British students each year.

Applications are now open.  The deadline to apply is 13 March 2016.

For full details about the scholarships and how to apply, visit the French Embassy's website.

Read more...

Steady currents? Overseas student flows and the UK

4 February 2016 (THE)

More can be done in the UK to encourage study abroad, but the anglophone world may continue to attract the lion’s share, says David Willetts.

Read more...

Erasmus+: Providing more and better opportunities to support Europe's future generations

26 January 2016 (European Commission)

In its first year, Erasmus+, the bigger and more fit-for-purpose programme for education, training, youth and sport, is already living up to expectations.

With a budget of over €2 billion in its initial year, Erasmus+ has already offered more than one million people the opportunity to take part in 18.000 funded projects. More flexible opportunities for collaboration across sectors are also helping Europe's education, training, youth and sport systems to try out innovative practices and contribute to reform and modernisation.

Reports published today offer the first results one year after the start of the Erasmus+ programme and can be accessed on the European Commission's website.

Read more...

Pupil summer courses in Germany

19 January 2016 (UK-German Connection)

Applications for UK-German Connection's funded summer courses in Germany are now open.

Visit the website to find out more about the options available and to apply:

• German Pupil Courses - two-week courses in Germany during July or August for UK secondary pupils studying German.  Find out what one pupil has to say about the German Pupil Courses in the video 'Rachel's experiences'.
• German Pupil Courses Group Leaders - 3 posts available for qualified UK teachers with experience of teaching German up to GCSE/S5 or A Level/S6 to lead groups on the GPC.
• German Scholarships Programme - a four-week programme for senior pupils to spend in Germany during July or August to improve their language and learn more about the German culture.

To check full criteria before applying, see the UK-German Connection website for full details.

Application deadline is 10 March 2016.

Read more...

Making an impact in Erasmus+

13 January 2016 (Erasmus+)

This is a selection of project stories from 2015 demonstrating how UK organisations are making an impact as a result of the Erasmus+ and predecessor EU programmes. Take a look at the achievements of projects across all the sectors for both the organisation and project participants, including Brae High School from the Shetland Isles who exhibited and shared their experience at the 2015 Erasmus+ Annual Conference.

Read more...

'Pay for foreign exchange trips rather than a week in Majorca,' top headteacher tells parents

11 January 2016 (TES)

Parents should consider sending their child on a school foreign exchange rather than spending money on a week in Majorca, a headteacher has suggested.

Young people are likely to learn more on a cultural break in a city such as Madrid or Barcelona than they are sitting on a beach, according to Caroline Jordan, headmistress of Headington School in Oxford and the new president of the Girls' Schools Association.

Setting up a foreign exchange for students did not have to be expensive, Ms Jordan said.

"It's trying to convince the parents that that's good use of their finances as opposed to a foreign holiday to Majorca, where they may well be in a Spanish environment but they're less likely to be experiencing Spanish as they would be if they were in somewhere like Madrid or Barcelona on exchange," she said.

"Exchange is very important and we know that languages is a real area of concern in this country. The government is doing quite a lot about this by trying to encourage all children to take a language through the English Baccalaureate."

Figures show that last year, there was a drop in language GCSE entries, with French down 6.2 per cent on 2014, German down 9.8 per cent and Spanish down 2.4 per cent.

As well as ensuring that children learned a foreign language, Ms Jordan added that it was important that modern teenagers were given the opportunity to consider studying at a university overseas, arguing that it could be beneficial to them later on.

Read more...

Erasmus+ funding for schools

11 January 2016 (Erasmus+)

Schools planning to apply for Erasmus+ funding in 2016 can benefit from tailored information and support to increase your chances of making a successful application. This includes live Q&A webinars taking place between January and March and pre-recorded webinars giving overviews and advice on completing applications.

Further links and details can be found in the Erasmus+ January bulletin which can be accessed online.

Read more...

UK-German Connection programmes and funding

7 January 2016 (UK-German Connection)

The next deadline for grants to fund projects and partnerships between UK and German schools is 31 January 2016.

See the full programme of opportunities available and deadline dates for each.

Some programmes have rolling dates, such as the UK-German Bears Project, a free three-week bilateral programme, which puts pupils not only in touch with Alex, the teddy bear from Germany, but also with a German school class. The German class hosts Ben, the British teddy bear, at the same time as the UK school hosts Alex, making this a fun, interactive way for primary children to learn about each other’s language and culture! The bears come with a wide range of downloadable resources with ideas for short-term bilateral activities, which tie in with primary curriculum topics wherever possible.  There are still some hosting dates available for February 2016. If you're interested in taking part, find out more on the Bears Project webpage.

For more information about all the programmes offered by the UK-German Connection, visit their website.

Read more...

REMINDER - Immersion courses for teachers in France and Spain – Apply now

5 January 2016 (LFEE)

LFEE Europe has been an international course provider since 2002, delivering expert professional development training for primary teachers. Our Immersion Courses in France and Spain match all criteria set by the EU for “professional development courses for school teachers and staff”.

Our training programmes provide a balanced combination of language, methodology and cultural activities, delivered in the target and have been created specifically for primary and secondary teachers. You can download our brochure.

Funding for all our courses is available through the European Union Erasmus+ Programme. More than one teacher can apply from a school and successful schools will receive a grant from their Erasmus+ National Agency of up to 2,165€ per teacher*. The total cost of our one-week course (course registration and tuition fees, accommodation and subsistence fees) is 1,700€, which leaves up to 465€ for travel expenses.

Places are still available and applications have to be submitted before 2 February 2016 to the UK Erasmus+ National Agency. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis so interested participants must contact us as soon as possible to check availability/reserve a place.

For further information, you can download our brochure and watch a short video describing our courses on our website

Read more...

Study abroad interest ‘tied to cultural experiences at school’

12 December 2015 (THE)

Students who had an opportunity to learn a foreign language more likely to want to study abroad, research reveals.

Read more...

Student Blog: Why study German?

11 December 2015 (Times Higher Education)

Learning German is no mean feat, and the life of a Germanistik student is certainly no Ponyhof, if Mark Twain’s denunciations are anything to go by. Yet, in an academic climate where arts degrees seem to be discredited as dubious and directionless endeavours, I feel it important to encourage and exalt the study of languages and literature.

As I write this, thousands of 17 and 18 year old high-schoolers are mulling over their university choices. They are weighing up parental expectations, grade predictions, personal interests and skills and making their first steps towards university life and ultimately, towards their careers. As someone who knows this confusion all too well, let me argue in defence of the study of Deutsch.

Read more...

Erasmus+ December update

10 December 2015 (Erasmus+)

Support for applying for Erasmus+ funding can be found in this most recent newsletter from Erasmus+. This support includes a series of webinars, advice on opening the eforms and links to some new and improved resources.

Read more...

Erasmus+ Key Action 1 applications open

3 December2015 (Erasmus+)

Apply for school staff mobility funding through Erasmus+. Whether you are a teacher or support staff in a school, Key Action 1 is the funding strand that applies to you and your organisation.

Key Action 1 is about mobility which would usually mean you spend time abroad.  Mobility projects are transnational, and so all project activity except structured courses or training events must involve at least two schools – your own school and the partner school(s) abroad.

To find out more and to apply for funding, visit the Erasmus+ website.  Application deadline is 2 February 2016.

Read more...

Au pairing abroad did more for my language skills than studying

26 November 2015 (The Guardian)

Getting to know a host family is a great way to immerse yourself in a language, boost your confidence and expand your vocabulary.

Three students share their experiences.

Read more...

Global Education Conference 2015 - recordings available

23 November 2015 (Global Education Conference)

The 6th annual Global Education Conference, a free week-long online event, brought together educators and innovators from around the world from 16-19 November 2015.

The conference seeks to present ideas, examples, and projects related to connecting educators and classrooms with a strong emphasis on promoting global awareness, fostering global competency, and inspiring action towards solving real–world problems.

Recordings of the presentations at this year's event are now available online.  In addition to a host of sessions on the theme of connecting classrooms worldwide for cultural understanding and collaborative projects, language teachers may also be particularly interested in the sessions 'Technology as a possibility to value language teaching profession' and 'Global collaborations: world language and STEM '

Visit the website to access the full list of recorded sessions.

Read more...

Five ways to be a global student without doing a year abroad

9 November 2015 (The Guardian)

As a language student, I was lucky enough to have a year abroad as part of my degree. I spent it in Chile, and learned a lot more Spanish and real life skills than I ever would have done sat in a lecture hall.

But for some students, a year abroad isn’t an option. Either it’s not offered as part of their course, or a year is just too long to spend away from home.

For those who don’t want to miss out on the benefits of globetrotting while they study but can’t take a full year out, there are still many opportunities available that can offer an equally valuable international experience. Here are five suggestions.

Read more...

Charles de Gaulle and Lefèvre Trust funding

26 October 2015 (British Council)

Charles de Gaulle Trust funding is specifically for students aged 17 to 19 to attend a French partner school or college and work on research or projects that contribute to their learning and future development..  The visits give students the chance to prove to future educators and employers that they are globally-minded, committed and dedicated young people.

Students aged 16 and below can benefit from an award from the Lefèvre Trust, which offers grants to UK schools to facilitate reciprocal visits to their partner schools in France.  A French study visit is the ideal way to instil a love of the French language in your students, give them exposure to authentic language usage and enable them to experience French culture first-hand. It will also boost confidence levels before key GCSE, A level, National Qualification and Higher level French oral exams.

The deadline for applications for both funding programmes is 30 November 2015.  Full details and application forms are available on the British Council website.

• Charles de Gaulle Trust
• Lefèvre Trust

Read more...

LFEE immersion courses new dates for 2016-2017

23 October 2015 (LFEE)

LFEE Europe has been an international course provider since 2002 offering structured Courses for Primary and Secondary teachers of French and Spanish. We run courses in Lyon, Salignac and Malaga for language teachers from all over the UK and the rest of Europe.

Funding for all our courses is available through the European Union Erasmus+ Programme (KA1) and covers course fees, accommodation, subsistence as well as travel expenses. All our courses are GTCS accredited.

Should you be interested in taking part in one of our courses in 2016-2017, please see the course brochure and visit the LFEE website in the first instance.

Read more...

Erasmus+ 2016 applications

20 October 2015 (Erasmus+)

The European Commission has released the 2016 application deadlines for Erasmus+. All the deadlines and information on the types of activities you can apply for are contained in the 2016 Call for Proposals document and the 2016 Programme Guide, both of which you can download from our Key Resources page. The Call for Proposals is an overview document containing all the deadlines for 2016, while the Programme Guide contains all the detailed information on how to apply for Erasmus+ funding. You will need to read both documents when planning an application.

Read more...

World Teachers' Day: Language Linking, Global Thinking

5 October 2015 (Project Trust)

Theresa Peteranna is one of Project Trust's 2015/16 Language Linking, Global Thinking volunteers. She’s volunteering as a teacher in Japan and through the Language Linking Global Thinking scheme is linked to a class in Kirkwall Grammar school in Orkney, Scotland. She told us why she wanted to volunteer as a teacher.

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Who needs Oxbridge? Meet the British students headed for Europe

3 October 2015 (The Guardian)

Hiroki Takano is not having a good day. “I lost my wallet, and then I realised I’d locked myself out of my apartment.” He sighs. Takano, 21, from Maidenhead in Berkshire, is at the end of his first week of lectures at university. But though this is the sort of thing that happens to freshers with alarming predictability, it’s a bit more complicated in his case. Takano isn’t in Leeds, or Manchester, or Durham, and he can’t just pop into the nearest branch of his bank. He’s in Copenhagen, roughly 600 miles from home.

Over the last fortnight, approximately half a million new undergraduates have embarked on student life at universities across the UK. 

[...] As tuition fees in the UK have risen, studying for a degree abroad has become an appealing alternative. So much so that, according to British Council research published earlier this year, up to a third of British students are considering overseas study.

Read more...

Will international love help your language skills blossom?

2 October 2015 (The Guardian)

Dating a native can be useful when you’re learning a language, but it’s not a magic formula for fluency.

Read more...

Chinese language scholarship opportunity 2016-2017

2 October 2015 (CISS)

The Confucius Institute for Scotlands Schools and our Chinese partners, the Tianjin Education Commission and the Tianjin International Chinese College, are delighted to offer selected Scottish pupils a one-year scholarship to learn Chinese in Tianjin for the academic year 2016-2017. This life-changing opportunity is one of a kind in Europe and rewards the commitment that Confucius Classroom Hubs in Scotland have demonstrated in the promotion of Chinese language and culture.

Attached is a letter with further details and an application form. We would be grateful if you could circulate to your hub schools as soon as possible. The closing date for applications is Friday 6 November 2015.

Applications should be returned to katie.hawkins@strath.ac.uk.

Many thanks for disseminating this information to interested pupils.

Language study beyond school

11 September 2015 (SCILT)

Do you have students looking to further or develop their language learning on leaving school? Make sure they know about the Beyond School section of the SCILT website. With useful information on different language courses and options available here in Scotland, there are also links to UCAS and language courses UK-wide to help their selection process and the transition from school.

The section includes advice and information on:

• The benefits of language learning for you and your career 
• Undergraduate language courses at Scottish and UK universities 
• Options for combining languages with other degree subjects 
• Beginner and refresher language courses and modules at Scotland’s colleges 
• The gap year – opportunities to study, work or volunteer abroad 
• The student voice – blogs, advice, hints and tips from those who’ve been there

The site also outlines the support Scottish universities can provide to teachers and schools in their language teaching and staff professional development.

So please make your language teaching professionals, pupils and guidance staff aware of the ‘Beyond School’ website. It’s got their language needs covered!

Read more...

Student Perspectives on Going International

10 September 2015 (Go International)

The UK Higher Education International Unit’s Go International programme and the British Council published a report today on student perspectives of the benefits of and barriers to spending time abroad as part of a UK undergraduate degree. The research aims to provide evidence for UK higher education institutions and policy makers who are developing and implementing initiatives to increase the number of UK-domiciled students accessing international opportunities.

See the key findings on the Go International website where you can also find a link to the full report.

Read more...

Social interaction, identity and language learning during residence abroad

3 September 2015 (EuroSLA)

Study and residence abroad are significant contexts for second language learning and development, which are known to promote oral skills, fluency and sociopragmatic competence in particular, alongside broader intercultural competence. However learner achievements during residence abroad are variable and cannot be fully understood without attention to the social settings in which learners engage, and the social networks they develop.

This edited collection sets out to explore the relationship between sociocultural experience, identity and second language learning among student sojourners abroad.

Read more...

Choosing your university course during Clearing: pick a passion

10 August 2015 (The Guardian)

“You must choose a subject you enjoy. You’re going to do it for at least three years and pay an awful lot of money for it,” says Tracey Griffin, head of sixth form at Bournemouth and Poole College, who has helped hundreds of young people choose what to study at university.

[...] Many UK universities now offer an optional year overseas (usually the third year) through the European Union’s student exchange programme, Erasmus. However this isn’t offered on all courses, so if you think you might be interested in a year abroad, it’s worth checking out which courses offer it before you start applying.

[...] Almost 80,000 undergraduates study languages at UK unis, and this year’s overall best five are Cambridge, Oxford, Leicester, Durham and Sussex. While all offer the likes of French and Spanish, you’ll need to hunt around if you’re keen to go beyond the mainstream.

Read more...

How teaching English on my year abroad improved my French

13 July 2015 (The Guardian)

Students planning their years abroad might worry about teaching English. It seems counterintuitive – you go to another country to learn the language and end up speaking your mother tongue.

But in my experience, it can be a rewarding job and is perhaps even the best way to immerse yourself in another culture and learn the language.

Read more...

Study abroad rankings ‘will encourage student mobility’

2 July 2015 (THE)

The proportion of students who are “outwardly mobile” should be included as part of the criteria for university rankings to encourage institutions to send more students abroad.

That is the view of Ruth Sinclair-Jones, director of the UK National Agency for Erasmus+, the European study abroad scheme, who added that more than half the UK students in the programme come from just 21 out of 160 participating institutions.

Speaking on 23 June at a Westminster Higher Education Forum seminar on increasing outward student mobility, she said: “It would be helpful to see league tables include the proportion of outwardly mobile students as part of the internationalisation indicator for institutions so we can really see that it matters. It tends to be that what is measured is what matters.”

She added that raising awareness of study abroad and providing language support while students are still at school would also help to increase participation in studying overseas.

“It has to start at school level – that interest, that awareness, that first taste that leads to confidence that they can learn even if they don’t have very advanced language skills,” she said.

Read more...

What nobody tells you about studying abroad

17 June 2015 (The Guardian)

Everyone told me how much fun I was going to have, but there are many things it would have been more useful for me to have known. Jack Harry, a French and Spanish student at Bristol University, shares his experience of his year studying abroad.

Read more...

English Language Assistant on Chinese dating show

12 June 2015 (British Council)

Robbie Stanley-Smith from the UK signed up for the British Council English Language Assistants programme and found himself on a Chinese dating show! Watch snippets of his appearance.

Read more...

Going Global 2015 highlights

2 June 2015 (British Council)

More than 1,200 leaders in higher education, business and government attended the British Council’s annual Going Global conference, which took place in London on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 June 2015. Over 80 countries were represented by delegates, including 125 university presidents, vice-chancellors, pro vice-chancellors, and government ministers.

The British Council has invited Media FHE to deliver daily Briefing Reports from the conference, providing easy to digest summaries of news, research findings, and key points arising from the event.

Read more...

How can more UK students be encouraged to study abroad?

1 June 2015 (British Council)

The UK doesn’t send out nearly as many students abroad as it welcomes. How can the UK encourage its students to travel further afield to study? Zainab Malik explains the British Council's latest research on the subject.

[..] In our Broadening Horizons report this year (June 2015), we surveyed nearly 7,500 UK and US students to understand their motivations for and apprehensions towards overseas study.

Read more...

UK students increasingly opting to study abroad

28 May 2015 (The Guardian)

An increasing number of British students are opting to study abroad with some citing the attractive prospect of the benefits of living overseas, experiencing a different culture and working for international firms.

Studying overseas has become more popular, with half of those considering a university course in another country wishing to study at undergraduate level, a new survey by the British Council shows. A third of the students polled, aged between 16 and 30, said they were interested in some form of overseas study.

There has been a surge in interest of UK students in university courses that offer studying or working in a European country through the EU’s Erasmus programme, which has more than doubled in seven years, according to figures.

[..] Prof Rebecca Hughes, director of education at the British Council, said the findings confirmed that a growing number of young people were recognising the value of gaining international experience.

“The UK needs graduates who have the skills and confidence to compete globally, and can compete against foreign talent that may speak more languages and have wider international experience,” Hughes said.

Zainab Malik, the author of the Broadening Horizons research based on a survey of almost 3,000 UK students, said the top perceived barriers to study abroad for UK students were costs and a lack of language skills.

However, Malik said students surveyed after studying overseas reported “those [language barrier] concerns were not as substantial as they initially had thought”.

Read more...

Funding for UK-German school partnerships

12 May 2015 (UK-German Connection)

Updated funding guidelines and application forms are now on the UK-German Connection website.

The following funds are available for schools:

• Challenge Fund - for joint thematic projects in all curriculum areas
• Challenge Fund - World of Work - for 'world of work' projects, with or without pupils' work experience
• Partnerships in Learning - for peer-learning activities to strengthen school partnerships
• Partnership Visit Fund - for partnership visits for teachers to plan or revive joint activities for pupils

Next funding deadline is 31 May 2015.

Read more...

Project Trust and SCILT promote global citizenship

21 April 2015 (Project Trust)

Project Trust’s Global Citizenship Programme sends passionate and enthusiastic Returned Volunteers who have become Global Citizenship Ambassadors into primary and secondary schools to provide interactive educational sessions about global issues they’ve had unique first-hand experience of overseas. Lucy Hughes (Cambodia 2012/13) and Ben Haldane (Namibia 2013/14) ran a session at Kinross High School talking about their experiences of learning another language, presenting alongside our partners SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages).

Read more...

British students should venture farther than two hours away from home

16 March 2015 (The Guardian)

Many British students study at universities relatively close to home. As an international student, I wonder whether they may be missing out.

Read more...

Learning lessons from overseas

12 March 2015 (Scottish Government)

Scottish students that have never studied abroad will be given the chance to learn in a new environment overseas in the coming academic year.

The Outward Mobility Fund is now open for applications for 2015/16, backed by £130,000 funding from the Scottish Government.

The fund supports student to go to Canada, China, India, the USA for any duration of time, or to Europe destinations for a period less than three months. The scheme is particularly aimed at students who had never studied abroad and to date 367 people have been offered places.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said:

[..]“Heading abroad can help our students gain intercultural understanding, problem solving and language skills, greater self-confidence and better employability prospects. I have heard of a number of success stories from the scheme including one project that took 10 students from the University of the West of Scotland to China to study mechanical and civil engineering techniques.”

Read more...

Erasmus+: more than just mobility

11 March 2015 (European Parliamentary Research Service)

Did you know that an experience abroad can double your chances of finding a job? 

Erasmus+ is the new single integrated European Union education programme for 2014 to 2020 aimed at improving young people’s skills and employability. It also promotes modernisation of education and training in Member States, by facilitating transnational contacts amongst different players and across different sectors. The programme brings together the previous EU programmes in education, training and youth, introduces a loan facility and includes sports as a new area.

Overall, Erasmus+ is intended to contribute towards the EU’s strategic objectives for education and training, in line with Europe 2020 priorities, with special focus on addressing skills deficits and skills mismatch. In January 2015, nearly 5 million young people (under 25) were unemployed in the EU, yet a third of employers find it hard to recruit staff with the necessary skills. In this context, Erasmus+ focuses on increasing attainment in higher education, lowering early school drop-out rates and improving attainment in key skills such as knowledge of a foreign language.

Read more...

‘Hong Kong: A Dream Destination for University Study’ competition

25 February 2015 (Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office London)

UK secondary school students are offered the chance to win a place at a university summer school in Hong Kong!

To enter the competition, all pupils have to do is describe why they think Hong Kong would be a great place to study as a university student. Entries can be through any means – an essay or through social media, for example a video clip on YouTube, a post in a blog, and the entries should focus on the advantages of Hong Kong as a destination of pursuing tertiary education. Five winners will be selected and entries will be judged based on content, creativity and presentation. Deadline for entries is 20 April 2015.

See full competition criteria and how to enter on the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office London website.

Read more...

Discover Germany! funded trip for S1 pupils - project ideas

24 February 2015 (UK-German Connection)

Interested in the UK-German Connection's funded trip to Berlin for your S1 pupils but need some help identifying a project? Take a look at some showcase examples on the UK-German Connection website.

For more information about the trip itself and to apply by 26 March 2015, visit the Discover Germany! webpage.

Read more...

Language linking, global thinking! - register interest

20 February 2015 (SCILT)

SCILT is inviting schools interested in taking part in the Language Linking Global Thinking initiative in session 2015/16 to register now. 

The project links students on their year abroad with primary and secondary schools. Students communicate with a designated class in their partner school during the course of the year to illustrate how enriching it is to spend a year abroad using a language other than English. 

While the student is abroad, the partner school keeps in regular contact with the student by emailing, sending postcards and other resources. The two-way correspondence between student and class brings the language alive for pupils and shows them the real relevance of learning a language. 

This initiative has been piloted this year in three local authorities, and SCILT is now extending it to schools across Scotland. 

If you would like to take part in this project for session 2015-16, please email SCILT. Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools who took part in the pilot are invited to register interest in the same way if they wish to continue the project into a second year.

More information on Language Linking Global Thinking 2014-15.

Some of the students have used blogs to facilitate their contact with the schools. Read the student blogs.

Discover Germany! programme

17 February 2015 (UK-German Connection)

Applications for Discover Germany! 2015 are now open.

The Discover Germany! programme is a 3-4 day taster trip, which gives UK lower secondary pupils (S1) the opportunity to discover some of Germany's most interesting areas, meet German peers and engage in intercultural learning.

The 2015 Discover Germany! trip will take place in Berlin, from 2 to 5 July 2015, and the theme of the trip will be 'accessible travel and culture'. Pupils will have the chance to visit famous and historical places, interact with German peers at a local school and take part in educational activities at cultural heritage sites. Pupils will also spend time on project work related to this year's theme.

See the UK-German Connection website for more details.  Apply by 26 March 2015.

Read more...

German Pupil Courses Group Leader opportunities

12 February 2015 (UK-German Connection)

Applications are now open for group leaders for the German Pupil Courses 2015. Three posts are available for qualified UK teachers with experience of teaching German up to GCSE/S5 (for course option 2) or A-level/S6 (for course option 1) and experience of taking groups of young people abroad, to act as group leaders on the German Pupil Courses.

You will work alongside other teachers at a German school and will stay – where possible – with a German host family. This is a great opportunity for your professional development, whilst spending two weeks immersed in German language, daily life and culture. Apply by 10 March 2015.

More information is available on the UK-German Connection website.

Read more...

Face it: you probably won't become fluent on your year abroad

6 February 2015 (The Guardian)

It’s expected that language students will return having mastered our chosen language, but in reality this is often not the case.

Read more...

Study abroad: an experience not to be missed

4 February 2015 (The Telegraph)

Now back in the UK and having had the opportunity to reflect on his experiences, James Connington says that all students should consider studying abroad.

Read more...

Study abroad: the career benefits

24 December 2014 (The Telegraph)

The boost to your employability that studying abroad offers is not something to be sniffed at, but think it through before putting it on your CV, says James Connington.

Read more...

Year-abroad students say universities don't offer enough support

15 December 2014 (The Guardian)

Erasmus, the student exchange scheme for the EU, celebrated a record number of participants this year and launched its expanded Erasmus+ programme. But despite the popularity of international study, some students say universities are providing insufficient mental health support to those living abroad.

Read more...

The issue – Flying high on an exchange

12 December 2014 (TES)

Even after 22 years as a modern languages teacher, those first few moments of a school exchange still have the same impact for me. There is nothing quite like the excitement and apprehension as the coach goes quiet, the lights of the destination town come into view and the pupils begin to wonder what lies ahead in the homes of their host families.

So I was dismayed when I read in TES last month that exchange visits are now run by just 39 per cent of schools (“Zut alors! Is the exchange trip over?”, 21 November). I strongly believe in the linguistic and cultural value of exchanges. And despite students’ (and teachers’) fears, I can honestly say that the exchange partners get on fantastically well 99 per cent of the time and the tears of apprehension turn to tears of sadness when we have to drag them away from their newfound friends at the end of the trip.

Read more...

German Pupil Course Feedback

3 December 2014 (UK-German Connection)

Read young people’s impressions of the German Pupil Course programme run by UK-German Connection.

Applications for next year’s courses will open in January 2015.

Read more...

International Education Week: Language Linking, Global Thinking

18 November 2014 (Project Trust / SCILT)

Project Trust and SCILT have been developing ways for the two organisations to support each other's work, not least through the Language Linking, Global Thinking pilot programme. 

In this blogpost, read how volunteering overseas inspires young people to engage with language learning, and how in turn those young people can motivate pupils to learn languages in UK schools.

Read more...

Bring back overseas exchange trips, schools urged

18 November 2014 (BBC News)

Overseas exchange trips, once a rite of passage for teenagers, are now offered by a minority of schools, suggests research.

As late as the 1990s the "vast majority" of pupils were offered the chance to stay with a foreign pen-pal, says the British Council. Now only 39% of 450 schools surveyed in Britain offer this type of exchange.

Reviving these trips is vital to "tackle a national language crisis", argues the organisation.  It has launched a campaign urging schools to bring back the trips, saying they not only boost language learning but give pupils a taste of life abroad.

Read more...

Study abroad: don't forget, you're supposed to work

5 November 2014 (The Telegraph)

Say 'yes' often, try to mix with all nationalities and don't forget that you are supposed to do some work when studying abroad, says James Connington.

Read more...

Learning the local language made my year abroad unforgettable

3 November 2014 (The Guardian)

When I started a degree in English language and literature, I hadn’t intended to study abroad, let alone start learning German.

But having recently returned from my year abroad in Germany, I can say that making the effort to learn the language really enhanced my Erasmus experience.

Read more...

Languages for their future: support your students as they consider studying languages beyond school

31 October 2014 (SCILT)

Do you have students who are thinking about continuing with languages when they leave school? As the UCAS application process gets underway, the Beyond School section of our website contains useful information to help them decide on the different language courses and options available:

There’s lots of information on…

• Languages – the benefits for you and your career
• Undergraduate language courses at Scottish and UK universities – what’s available where
• Enhance your degree – options for combining languages with other subjects
• The gap year – opportunities to study, work or volunteer abroad
• Student experiences – advice from those who’ve been there, done it and got the t-shirt!

Please make your pupils, guidance and careers staff aware of the ‘Beyond School’ website. It covers all their language needs - www.scilt.org.uk/BeyondSchool.aspx

Read more...

Seven dos and don’ts for learning a foreign language abroad

30 October 2014 (British Council Voices)

Is living in a foreign country the best way to learn another language? Hannah Pearson, who’s working as an English language assistant in Mexico, shares her advice on immersing yourself in the language of the locals.

Read more...

The gap year – advice from those who’ve been there, done it and got the t-shirt!

28 October 2014 (SCILT)

The first posts from our students abroad have been published on our Language Linking Global Thinking blog. Why not share them with your class so they can find out more about living abroad and the advantages of studying languages. 

'Language linking, global thinking’ links students who are about to embark on year of study or voluntary work overseas, with a class in a primary or secondary school in this country. The student corresponds with the class throughout the year, sharing their experiences of living abroad. Find out more about our students' experiences through their blogs.

• Lauren
• Ellen
• Sarah
• Fraser

Read more...

Pupils at the hub of language

6 October 2014 (Dunfermline Express)

Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline has been named Scottish Outstanding Confucius Hub 2014 after it was awarded the title for its contribution to Chinese studies.

A successful trip to China saw Queen Anne staff and pupils take on the challenge of Mandarin lessons along with learning about Chinese culture and visiting spectacular sights such as the Great Wall. The kids got to visit Queen Anne’s partner school in Tianjin, where they learned about education in China before heading home to bond with the families by watching the country’s own version of the X Factor! The ‘immersion trip’ saw not only the pupils put to the test, but teachers too as they sat and passed Mandarin exams and came home having learned some useful words.

Read more...

Immersion courses in France and Spain 2015-16

3 October 2014 (LFEE)

LFEE now has course dates available in 2015 and 2016 for both primary and secondary teachers in either France or Spain.

The courses are fun and motivating and will help you implement the Scottish Government 1+2 language initiative and enhance your Professional Review and Development profile.

Funding for all courses is available through the European Union Erasmus+ Programme (formerly Comenius In-Service Training).  Please contact LFEE as soon as possible to pre-register and receive guidelines to help you apply for the Erasmus+ funding. Expected Erasmus+ application deadline: January 2015.

Full course details and how to register are available on the attached brochure or visit the LFEE website.

Along with LFEE we have other partner/cultural organisations who also offer professional learning opportunities both in Scotland and overseas.  Details can be accessed via the professional learning page on our website.

Read more...

Young people urged to be on the move to work and study

2 October 2014 (All Media Scotland)

Young people in Scotland will be encouraged to look at studying or working abroad at a special two-day Freshers’ Festival event at the SECC in Glasgow that opens tomorrow.

The European Union’s ‘Youth On The Move’ initiative is coming to the UK for the first time following 18 months of discussions with the Festival organisers, Scotcampus, the free independent national student magazine for Scotland.

Read more...

Competition Time! How would you sum up your Year Abroad?

29 September 2014 (ThirdYearAbroad)

Enter our competition for a chance to win amazing prizes! Here at ThirdYearAbroad.com, we think that everyone will benefit from a year abroad. Now we just need to convince them!
We want you to sum up your year abroad for us. You can write us a blog post or a poem, you can send us a photo or a collage, or enter a short video. Be creative!

Your entries will be used to create toolkits to help teachers to promote the year abroad to their students.

More information is available on the ThirdYearAbroad website.

Read more...

How to make the most of your time as an English language assistant

29 September 2014 (British Council)

How should we prepare for life in a new country? Every year, around 2,500 language assistants from the UK support the teaching of English in 14 countries around the world. Sarah Phillips, who worked as a language assistant in Mexico, imagines what advice she would give herself if she went back and did it all again.

Read more...

Erasmus Impact Study confirms EU student exchange scheme boosts employability and job mobility

22 September 2014 (European Commission)

Young people who study or train abroad not only gain knowledge in specific disciplines, but also strengthen key transversal skills which are highly valued by employers.

A new study on the impact of the European Union's Erasmus student exchange programme shows that graduates with international experience fare much better on the job market. They are half as likely to experience long-term unemployment compared with those who have not studied or trained abroad and, five years after graduation, their unemployment rate is 23% lower.

The study, compiled by independent experts, is the largest of its kind and received feedback from nearly 80 000 respondents including students and businesses.

Read more...

Overseas study 'means 40% go abroad'

22 September 2014 (BBC News)

Going overseas to study as a university student seems to have a big impact on making people want to work abroad in later life, suggests research. An analysis of the Erasmus overseas study programme in Europe indicates 40% of participants go on to live abroad during their working lives.

Read more...

Spanish teacher training seminars in Ávila, Spain

12 September 2014 (IEMA)

Instituto Español Murallas de Ávila (IEMA) the institution for Spanish Language and Culture in Ávila, Spain, invites British Spanish teachers to participate in one of the following teacher training seminars in the World Heritage City of Ávila, Spain:

• 06-10 October: How to Establish an Online Exchange Project 
• 27-31 October: “¡A Hablar!” - Conversation Seminar for Spanish Teachers

Some grants are available. Also, you may apply for an Erasmus+ grant. For more information please contact IEMA School director: Dr. Rainer Rutkowski by email (Dr. Rainer Rutkowski) or by telephone on 0034-920 222 773.

For more information about the IEMA and other available courses, visit their website.

Read more...

Scholarships for teacher training in Germany

8 September 2014 (Goethe-Institut)

Every year the Goethe-Institut offers an attractive range of residential training and language courses for teachers of German (specialists and non-specialists) as well as teacher trainers.

Courses include: 

• Language Courses (2 or 4 weeks) 
• Landeskunde (1 to 3 weeks) 
• Methodology/Teaching Strategies (2 to 4 weeks) 
• Courses for Teacher Trainers (1 or 2 weeks)

Scholarships are available from the Goethe-Institut.  For full details and to apply by 15 October 2014 visit their website.

Read more...

ThirdYearAbroad.com launches Q&A site and jobs board

27 August 2014 (The Pie News)

The UK’s largest network for students who study or work abroad,ThirdYearAbroad.com has partnered with the the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Routes in Languages to launch TYA Answers– a Q&A site where students can get responses and information from fellow students, experts and university international officers.

The company also aims to connect UK graduates with language skills to employment opportunities through its site GlobalGraduates.co.uk set to launch this September.

Read more...

Erasmus: A year abroad will make you stand out

21 August 2014 (Euronews)

Thought a year abroad was all about wild Erasmus parties and carefree sightseeing? In an increasingly competitive and international job market, employers are recognising the value of a study or work placement abroad more than ever before. You may think that your year abroad was nothing but meeting different people, discovering new places and having fun, but you will have also picked up some invaluable skills along the way.

Read more...

Scotland Goes Global Ambassador Scheme

21 August 2014 (NUS Scotland)

Scotland Goes Global Ambassadors are students who have studied abroad as part of their course. Student ambassadors visit schools, colleges and universities to deliver a short training module on study abroad and employability opportunities to students.

The schools module works with young people encouraging them to think about what might help them to look for a job and what will drive their career decisions.

See the attached information sheets for further details about the scheme and to book an ambassador visit for your school, or visit the Scotland Goes Global website.

Read more...

Learning lessons from overseas

15 August 2014 (Scottish Government)

Study trips to France, Spain, China and the USA are among the opportunities available to Scots-based students through new Scottish Government funding.

Grants totalling more than £127,000 have been shared among 12 projects – including summer exchange programmes, study trips and internships – all aimed at helping students from seven universities or colleges gain a global perspective in their respective fields.

Read more...

Study abroad: take a leap into the unknown

11 August 2014 (The Telegraph)

There is no better way to break the monotony of everyday university life than choosing to study overseas; a little bit of impulse can go a long way, says James Connington.

Read more...

Sunderland agrees to waive year-abroad fees

15 June 2014 (THE)

The University of Sunderland has joined a growing list of institutions who have decided to waive fees for language students on a study year abroad.

Read more...

Spanish Primary Teacher Training Seminars in Spain

12 June 2014 (Consejería de Educación)

The Regional Government of Castilla y León (Spain), in cooperation with Instituto Español Murallas de Ávila (IEMA), an organisation which promotes Spanish Language and Culture in Ávila, Spain, invites British Primary School teachers of Spanish to participate in one of their Spanish Teacher Training Seminars in the World Heritage City of Ávila, Spain. Scholarships are available.

For more information please contact IEMA School director: Dr. Rainer Rutkowski. director@iema.com. Telephone 0034-920 222 773 or visit the IEMA website.

Read more...

Spanish Secondary Teacher Training Seminars in Spain

12 June 2014 (Consejería de Educación)

The Regional Government of Castilla y León (Spain), in cooperation with Instituto Español Murallas de Ávila (IEMA), an organisation which promotes Spanish Language and Culture in Ávila, Spain, invites British Secondary teachers of Spanish to participate in one of their Spanish Teacher Training Seminars in the World Heritage City of Ávila, Spain. Scholarships are available.

Available courses include:

• “¡Recíclate!”, 28 July - 1 August: How to teach aspects of Spanish culture in class.
• “Vivir en Tiempos difíciles”, 11- 14 August: From Franco to Democracy. How to teach aspects of Spanish History in the classroom.
• “¡A Hablar!”, 4-8 August, or 27-1 October: Conversation course for Spanish teachers.

For more information please contact IEMA School director: Dr. Rainer Rutkowski. director@iema.com.  Telephone 0034-920 222 773.  Full details of the courses are also available on the IEMA website.

Read more...

Courses for Spanish teachers in Spain

6 June 2014 (Consejería de Educación)

Please find attached information on Summer scholarships for British and Irish teachers of Spanish recently launched by MESTER, in cooperation with Castilla y León Regional Government.

The courses will be held in Salamanca, Spain during June, July and August 2014.

Application deadline: Monday 16 June 2014.

German language courses for primary teachers

5 June 2014 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut Glasgow has a number of exciting programmes to support teachers in delivering the Scottish Government's initiative of enabling pupils in Scotland to learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue by 2020.

Two specially tailored language courses – locally and in Germany - offer a first step for teachers in the PRIMARY sector, who are keen to embrace and contribute to the new developments with confidence.  Follow the links below to find out more about each course and to secure your place:

• Language Course for Primary Teachers in Edinburgh (Juniper Green Primary, 6 Sept - 2 Oct 2014)
• Language Course for Primary Teachers in Glasgow (Goethe-Institut, 25 Oct - 18 Nov 2014)
• Residential Language Course in Germany for Scottish Primary Teachers (Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, 12 - 18 Oct 2014)

Other support also available to language teachers:

• The German Language Adventure – the popular motivation game for pupils and teachers – will be on offer in the new term throughout Scotland
• Film resources and screenings for all age groups at the Goethe-Institut and your local cinema will sharpen cultural awareness and classroom practice will be enhanced by our resources and CPD seminars

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for a full listing of events, resources and professional development opportunities.

Read more...

Cable urges more UK students to study in China

27 May 2014 (The Herald)

Vince Cable is calling for more UK students to visit China on exchange trips as part of a fresh bid to boost links with the nation.

The Business Secretary has called on businesses to support a British Council programme which aims to see 80,000 UK students take part in study or work experience programmes in China by 2020. Mr Cable's call came as he visited Sun Yat Sen University in Guangzhou.

"The global centre of gravity is shifting eastwards to major economic powerhouses like China," he said.

"But while China sends around 100,000 students each year to the UK, we send little more than 5,000 in the opposite direction. We must raise our game. New independent research shows that a lack of language skills in the UK is costing our economy about £48 billion. The shortage of Mandarin speakers is part of the problem. I don't want young British people to get left behind.

Read more...

Studying abroad: a unique opportunity at university

22 May 2014 (The Telegraph)

Studying in Mexico for a year made me more independent, self-reliant, and gave me the confidence to deal with new situations; it also improved my Spanish, says Matthew Kay.

Read more...

Introducing Erasmus+ - the new way to study on your year abroad in Europe

20 May 2014 (The Independent)

“A new country, new culture, new people... it was not a walk in the park but definitely a life-changing experience” is how Jessica Tradati, an Italian student who studied in Manchester for two semesters, would describe her time on Erasmus.

The Erasmus programme is known for providing students an unforgettable cultural exchange abroad; more than three million students across Europe have participated in this foreign adventure over the last 27 years.

Read more...

Residential summer courses for teachers in Spain

7 May 2014 (Consejería de Educacíon)

Please download the attached document for information about our fully funded residential summer courses for teachers in Santander (España).

Selected candidates will only need to cover their travel expenses. Application deadline is 11 May.

If you are a Spanish teacher in the UK and would like to explore new ways of teaching and learning Spanish by means of virtual learning environments and ICT, do not miss out on this unique opportunity.

Globetrotters with a thirst for learning

6 May 2014 (The Guardian)

Welcome to our new hub for all students who have chosen to study far from home. Here's why we think the global movement of students is an important topic.

Read more...

What I've learned from studying abroad

6 May 2014 (The Guardian)

A student blogger shares his experience of picking up a language and getting to grips with a different culture.

Read more...

Erasmus exchanges get down to business

30 April 2014 (BBC News)

For a generation of European students, the Erasmus programme has been synonymous with having a good time while studying in another country.

Three million students have taken part in this exchange visit project over 27 years.
There were serious underlying principles about life skills, employability and getting a taste of another culture.

But it also had an optimistic international feel-good factor. This European Union project was where higher education met overseas travel and the spirit of Eurovision.

There has even been a spin-off movie about the social experience of Erasmus students house-sharing in Barcelona. It's a rom-com with lessons.

But times have changed. And so has Erasmus, which is now rebranded as Erasmus+.

The youthful idealism is being replaced with something with a harder edge and a more clearly defined strategic purpose.

Read more...

Study abroad for a cheaper university option

29 April 2014 (The Guardian)

Daniel Hughes had always wanted to take a master's degree but the cost of the qualification in the UK put him off. The current average price of a UK Masters degree is £6,000 a year, with some universities charging more than double that figure.

"I was thinking of going to study abroad after graduating from Bangor University and working in the NHS," he says. "I could speak a bit of Swedish and the master's courses in Sweden are free, so it made sense to look there."

Now 29, Hughes is in his second and final year of an MA in media and communications studies at Stockholm University and is writing a thesis on why Scandinavian noir TV series are so popular with British audiences.

He is one of a growing number of UK students opting to study abroad in Europe at universities that offer master's degrees in English for a much lower fee – or no fee at all.

Read more...

How Studying or Working Abroad Makes You Smarter

29 April 2014 (Time)

Research shows that experience in other countries makes us more flexible, creative, and complex thinkers.

How does studying or working abroad change you? You return with a photo album full of memories and a suitcase full of souvenirs, sure. But you may also come back from your time in another country with an ability to think more complexly and creatively—and you may be professionally more successful as a result.

Read more...

UK’s young people to benefit from €1 billion Erasmus+ fund

28 April 2014 (British Council)

The European Commission has announced it will make available almost €1 billion over seven years to help people in the UK to gain crucial international skills under the new Erasmus+ programme, managed in the UK by the British Council and Ecorys.

Hundreds of thousands of young people in the UK will be able to access the new programme over the next seven years in order to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer across the EU and further afield.

More than 30,000 young people per year – the equivalent of over 70 fully-laden jumbo jets – are expected to gain opportunities to expand their horizons under the programme. This represents a 50 per cent increase on the number of UK young people receiving grants compared with the EU’s previous Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action programmes, which Erasmus+ will replace.

Read more...

Tuition fees encourage British students to study abroad

24 April 2014 (The Guardian)

An increasing number of British students are travelling abroad for their higher education, in part because of tuition fee rises.

A British Council survey found 37% of undergraduates and postgraduates said they were considering overseas study, a 17% rise compared with the same poll taken last year.

Most students in the survey said that studying abroad would also help their job prospects and allow them to experience foreign cultures. Others said they thought it would help them in their field of study and improve language skills.

Read more...

Travel bursaries will expand cultural horizons

18 April 2014 (The Scotsman)

Over the centuries, Scotland has always been an outward-looking nation reaching out to other countries and cultures across the globe. Sometimes economic necessity has forced large numbers to leave these shores, sometimes it’s been war. Historically, certain Scottish forays overseas have also had more dubious outcomes, such as the ill-fated Darien scheme to establish a colony in Panama or the enrichment of many Scottish merchants through slavery.

But a genuine spirit of exploration and discovery has prompted many more to venture abroad and expand their cultural horizons. This natural wanderlust has had a profound impact on Scottish culture and society, stretching back to the Scottish Enlightenment and far beyond.

Read more...

Scots reluctant to study abroad 'endangering the economy'

2 April 2014 (The Herald)

Scottish university students who are reluctant to study abroad are damaging their job prospects and endangering the economy, experts have warned.

There were 126,000 home students at Scottish universities in 2011/12, but only 1810 left to study overseas, figures show. In contrast, there were more than 40,000 overseas students at Scottish universities in the same year.

While the numbers of Scottish students travelling abroad to study is increasing, the British Council, which specialises in international educational and cultural opportunities, said Scotland still had one of the lowest student mobility rates in Europe.

A recent survey by students' organisation NUS Scotland found the main barrier to studying abroad was the perception it cost too much. About half of students who took part also expressed concern that their existing language skills would not be good enough to cope in an overseas study environment.

Read more...

Studying abroad could give you an edge in the job market

26 March 2014 (CNN)

First lady Michelle Obama took CNN iReporters' questions about studying abroad.

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Michelle Obama supports studying abroad for "bridges of understanding"

CIHAN Beta (22 March 2014)

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama on Saturday called on students to study abroad to build "bridges of understanding" during her visit to a Beijing university. 

"Studying abroad is about so much more than improving your own future. It's about shaping the future of your countries and of the world we all share," Obama said in a speech at the Stanford Center of the prestigious Peking University. 

[...] "By learning each other's languages and by showing such curiosity and respect for each other's cultures, you are building bridges of understanding that lead to so much more," she told an audience of about 200 students from China and America.

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New Erasmus+ should help boost UK outward mobility

21 March 2014 (University World News)

With countries like Germany and the United States launching ambitious campaigns to encourage more of their students to study abroad, the United Kingdom is redoubling its efforts to increase the tiny number of British students venturing to overseas universities or work placements.

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Bring French language and culture alive for your students with funding for a visit to France

19 March 2014 (British Council)

Secondary schools (including sixth form and further education colleges) that have existing partnerships with a school in France can receive funding for reciprocal student visits.

There are two grants available, one from the Charles de Gaulle Trust and one from the Lefèvre Trust. They both offer student mobility grants to schools in the UK and France and can be used for individual and/or group visits.

The application process is now open and the deadline to apply is Friday 2 May 2014. See the British Council website for full details.

Read more...

Erasmus+ updates

14 March 2014 (British Council)

Key Action 1

Don’t forget that the Key Action 1 deadline is this Monday 17 March. Apply now for funding for staff mobility including teaching assignments and staff training abroad including structured courses and training events and job shadowing and observations in partners schools. For more information visit the Erasmus+ website.

Key Action 2

The Key Action 2 application eForms for Strategic Partnerships for all fields are now available to download on the Erasmus+ website. The National Agency Guidance on completing the eForms will follow but in the meantime you can consult the European Commission’s Technical Guide for further information on downloading and completing the eForm.

There are also some support webinars over the coming weeks for schools and local authorities. Visit the website for more information and to sign up.

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Important changes to guidance for Erasmus+ applicants

3 March 2014 (British Council)

On 27 February 2014, the European Commission published new guidance for organisations intending to apply for funding under Erasmus+.

We are currently updating our own guidance to reflect these changes, but in the meantime a summary of the following key changes is available on the Erasmus+ website:

• New version of the Programme Guide 
• Partner Mandate Template now published 
• European Commission launches a Technical Guide for eForms

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LEAP: funded professional development courses 2014

21 February 2014 (LEAP)

Take advantage of funding opportunities to improve learning and teaching while expanding the European Dimension in your curriculum!

Language Education And Partnerships (LEAP) offers a range of professional development courses for staff in primary, secondary, further and adult education. Their courses focus on the development of Learning & Teaching within the delivery and development of languages.  Courses are available in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

These immersion courses, which can be funded through the new Erasmus+ programme, are purposefully designed to enhance teaching practice while further developing language skills and intercultural understanding as a tool for generating original resources.

The deadline for funding applications is 17 March 2014, in respect of courses starting from 01 July 2014. Visit the LEAP website for more information, or simply contact the team on 01922 724993 or email info@leaponline.eu.

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Erasmus+ French immersion courses for teachers

20 February 2014 (Institut français)

Primary and secondary teachers in Scotland are lucky as they have a great choice for immersion courses in France. Here is a selection of immersion courses specially designed for teachers. These courses are run by organisations which are accredited by the French Ministry of Education and are easy to recognise as they have the "label Qualite FLE".

Funding for all these courses is available through the new European Erasmus+ programme. Successful applicants will receive funding which covers all expenses - course tuition fee, accommodation, subsistence and travel.

See the attached spreadsheet for details of the courses available and how to apply.

Erasmus+ Advice Sessions

20 February 2014 (British Council)

To help UK organisations apply for decentralised Erasmus+ funding opportunities, we are offering a range of advice sessions to provide tailored guidance by field.

On 11 March there are two sessions in Edinburgh to assist schools through the application process for Key Action 2.

For information on all the workshops available to different organisations and to book a place, visit the Erasmus+ webpage.

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Volunteer placements in Russia from September 2014

19 February 2014 (Ecologia Youth Trust)

Ecologia Youth Trust have opportunities for students to volunteer in Russia during their Study Abroad year. Find out more about Ecologia Youth Trust’s work and how to apply.

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Internationalising STEM

18 February 2014 (Inside Higher Ed)

Washington – The theme of this year’s Association of International Education Administrators conference is “Universalizing Global Learning in the 21st Century Academy,” and a session on Monday focused on broadening, if not universalizing, global learning experiences for students who have historically been underrepresented in study abroad: those in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The barriers to study abroad for these students -- among them strict and demanding sequential course requirements and a lack of time or interest in foreign language study -- are by now legion. However, presenters described two ambitious programs, both modeled on the University of Rhode Island’s longstanding International Engineering program, in which students double-major in a STEM field and a foreign language and spend an entire year abroad.

Read more...

Erasmus+ guidance for applicants

13 February 2014 (British Council)

Please follow the link to find the latest news on Erasmus+ including updates on the availability of application forms.

You can start preparing for your application by reading the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. This gives detailed information on the different areas of the programme.  Key areas to look at are:

• p55 onwards for KA1 for schools. This includes information on eligibility, duration of projects and funding
• p96 onwards for KA2 for all organisations. This includes information on eligibility, duration of projects and funding

The distance calculator is also live on the EC website.

For any queries please contact the British Council via: erasmusplus.enquiries@britishcouncil.org

Follow us on Twitter: #erasmusplusuk

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Courses in Germany in summer 2014 for secondary pupils

10 February 2014 (UK-German Connection)

Do you have pupils who are interested in going to Germany this summer? UK-German Connection has two fantastic courses that might be of interest to them; the two-week German Pupil Courses and the four-week Scholarships Programme, both of which combine language learning with cultural trips and excursions, as well as staying with host families. The deadline for both courses is 10 March 2014.

For further information please see the websites:

• German Pupil Courses 
• Scholarships Programme 

For teachers:

There are also opportunities for teachers to act as group leaders on the German Pupil Courses.

If you have any questions, please contact Marta Piwowarski (020 7824 1572 / marta.piwowarski@ukgermanconnection.org).

The dates this year are advantageous to schools in Scotland as the 3 Pupil Courses all take place for two weeks in July (between 11 and 28 July), enabling pupils to take advantage of the opportunity during the summer holiday period.  Likewise the Scholarships run between 9 July and 8 August. 

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Student blog – Peter Reid’s Pupil Immersion Visit to China, Tianjin Summer Camp 2013

30 January 2014 (Engage for Education)

Peter Reid was one of the senior pupils who represented the Edinburgh Confucius Classroom hub at the 2013 Pupil Immersion Visit to Beijing and Tianjin. This is an annual visit organised by the Tianjin Education Commission (TEC) and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS), based at the University of Strathclyde, which aims to develop young people’s understanding of Chinese culture and language. The group visits many Chinese, historic monuments and takes part in cultural lessons and intensive Mandarin language classes, for which the young people receive SQA accreditation.

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How international teacher exchanges can refresh a whole school

22 January 2014 (TES)

A teaching career can get locked into repetitive cycles: as another year starts, the same old textbooks, jargon and exams loom yet again. Some things get done simply because they’ve always been done.

Hosting a teacher from foreign climes can jolt you out of that deadening loop. Philippa Seago, who takes charge of psychology at Littleover Community School in Derby, England, saw for herself how a school might benefit.

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Erasmus+ information webinars

16 January 2014 (British Council)

The new Erasmus+ programme, which succeeds the Comenius (schools and FE) and Erasmus (HE) programmes, has just been launched. We will be running a series of webinars to help potential applicants find out more about the new programme. These will be running in January and February (and March, depending on demand).

The webinars will give organisations an overview of the decentralised funding opportunities available under Erasmus+ and provide tailored application guidance by field.

The Erasmus+ website also contains a quick guide to making applications under Erasmus+ and information about how organisations should register on the European Commission Authentication Service (ECAS) to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC).

Visit the Erasmus+ website for further details of the webinars and to register.

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British students urged: Go to China to boost job hopes

18 December 2013 (Newsbeat)

There has been a rise in the number of British people going to study in China over the past five years. The number of British students going to study in the country has risen from 3,174 to 4,250.

A charity has told Newsbeat even more young people should consider it in an effort to boost their job chances. China is already the world's second biggest economy and is expected to overtake the US in the future.

The British Council says the the UK still lags behind countries like France when it comes to sending students east.

Read more...

CISS Newsletter Autumn 2013

12 December 2013 (CISS)

The latest edition of the CISS newsletter has been published. This edition highlights the promotion of Chinese language and culture around the country. Please download the newsletter if you'd like to find out more.

Beyond School - new section of the SCILT website

6 December 2013 (SCILT)

Our new ‘Beyond School’ section on the SCILT website offers help and advice to young people about the many ways they can continue to develop their language skills, whether by making the transition from school to a course at university or by studying, working or volunteering overseas. As well as general help and advice on making the move to university and courses available, there are links to potential career paths and opportunities and what support is available to schools to help promote languages as a subject choice at university.

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Encouraging UK students to study abroad: a new strategy for outward mobility

6 December 2013 (Universities UK blog)

In the context of a challenging jobs market, now more than ever, it is vital that universities help to prepare students for the world of work. At the same time, and in the context of rising tuition fees, higher education institutions are also rightly looking at ways in which to enhance the student experience.

One of the ways in which the higher education sector is seeking to answer these complex challenges is through the provision of international work and study abroad opportunities for students.

Today sees the launch of the UK Strategy for Outward Mobility by David Willetts MP, the Minister for Universities and Science. Supported by governments across the UK, the Strategy forms a key part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill’s International Education Strategy, published earlier this year.

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UK-China higher education links strengthened

4 December 2013 (British Council)

British Council Chief Executive, Martin Davidson CMG, hosted an event at the UK-China Business Summit in Beijing for the launch of the ‘Generation UK CEO Initiative’ and signing of a number of UK-China education partnership agreements. The ‘Generation UK & Celebrating UK-China Education Partnerships’ event brought together a mixed audience of education and business leaders to celebrate several initiatives further supporting student mobility and educational exchanges between the UK and China.  

The Generation UK CEO Initiative was launched to gain the help and support of businesses in the UK and China to further expand the number of opportunities available for students through the British Council’s Generation UK campaign. Generation UK was launched in June this year with support from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and aims to see at least 15,000 UK students participate in academic study or work experience programmes in China over the next 3 years.

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How a technical work and study exchange with IAESTE can change your life

2 December 2013 (British Council blog)

IAESTE is celebrating its 65th birthday. But what is it? The acronym stands for the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience. Founded in 1948 through the enthusiasm of James Newby of my institution, Imperial College, IAESTE began in the climate of an early post-war need to build international co-operation. It helps students travel from the country of their studies to get practical and cultural experience in another country.

Read how an internship in Milan through the IAESTE programme changed the course of Professor Aleksander's career.

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Erasmus+ for schools

23 November 2013 (Prezi, Andreas Bruun)

Information on how Erasmus+ can assist schools in obtaining funding to support CPD, training of teachers, Comenius Assistants – all of which could help support the 1+2 Agenda.

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Professional learning opportunities from Cultural Organisations

21 November 2013 (SCILT)

A number of SCILT’s partner cultural organisations provide professional learning opportunities for modern languages teachers. These courses aim to train teachers in a new language or upgrade their current language skills, and can range from half-day workshops to immersion courses abroad.

SCILT have compiled a grid of the courses available, with information on the required level of language for participants, the teaching stage for which the course prepares them and whether there is funding available.

Please visit the Professional Learning page on the School Managers section of our website to view the courses on offer.

Read more...

Increasing numbers of UK students studying in Europe

15 November 2013 (The Telegraph)

The proportion of UK students who are looking to study or work in mainland Europe reached the highest level in 2012/13 since the Erasmus programme was launched 25 years ago.
This is likely to be due, at least in part, to the tuition fees that UK students now face to study at home.

This European Union flagship student mobility scheme saw 14,607 students studying or working in Europe in 2012/13, according to the British Council, which has seen the numbers on the scheme double since it took over running the UK side of it in 2006/7.

Scottish students feature particularly highly, at 13 per cent of those on the scheme, even though they represent just 8.5 per cent of the UK's overall student population.

Ruth Sinclair-Jones, the British Council's head of EU programmes, said: "The international experience offered through Erasmus has been shown to make a real difference in terms of people's employability. So while students in Scotland deserve praise for reaching out and looking to gain highly sought-after international skills, it is a concern that students in England and Wales are beginning to slip behind.

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£800 million to help UK students study overseas

14 November 2013 (UK Government)

Thousands of UK students will be helped to study overseas thanks to the new EU programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport, Universities Minister David Willetts announced today.
The 2014-20 Erasmus+ programme is designed to double the number of people in the EU benefiting from opportunities abroad.

Funded by the European Commission, and bringing together a number of existing EU programmes, Erasmus+ is worth an estimated £793 million (€940 million) to the UK. It will increase opportunities for international study, teaching and volunteering in Europe and beyond.

Read more...

Summer courses in Germany

8 November 2013 (UK-German Connection)

Do you have pupils who would be interested in going to Germany in summer 2014? The two-week German Pupil Courses and four-week German Scholarships Programme offer German language lessons, staying with host families, and cultural visits and excursions. Follow the links for more information.

• German Pupil Courses
• German Scholarships Programme 

The application process will open in January, with a deadline of 10 March - put it in your diary now!

Read more...

Language Launchpad - Graduate Career Interviews

15 October 2013 (European Commission/ThirdYearAbroad)

The European Commission has teamed up with ThirdYearAbroad.com to interview UK language graduates and discover how their language skills have benefited their careers. 

The graduates featured in the clips have found work in business, finance, the media, the police, international development, education, sport, diplomacy and translation thanks to their language abilities and the skills developed on the year abroad.

There are fourteen two-minute video interviews, each featuring a different graduate, and one longer five-minute video summarising the key message that languages boost your career.

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Residential Training Courses for Teachers of German

5 October 2013 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut offers a wide range of residential training courses for teachers of German in Germany. The programme includes courses for:

• Recently qualified teachers
• Primary teachers
• Secondary teachers
• Teachers in Further Education
• Teacher trainers

See our website for full details of the available programmes and to download an application form.  For courses taking place in 2014, please return your application to the Goethe-Institut Glasgow
no later than 15 October 2013.

If you have any queries or need help choosing the right course for you, please do not hesitate to contact us:

language@glasgow.goethe.org
T: +44 141 332 2555

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Ruta Quetzal 2014

4 October 2013 (Consejería de Educación)

Information regarding this expedition and the competition on 29th November is now available on the Consejería de Educación website.

Please send us your nominations no later than 27th October.

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The Spanish language school that delivers lessons on a budget

24 September 2013 (The Guardian)

In Alicante's state-funded schools talk really does come cheap, with low fees and rigorous grammar practice the core principles.

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Scots students in Europe

16 September 2013 (Scottish Government)

Scotland only UK country to offer support for study in EU.  Up to 500 Scots studying at five European universities will be able to apply for financial support in a pilot that marks the first time any UK students have been offered help with European study.

Scots enrolled at Scottish universities already benefit from the best package of support in the UK, including free tuition fees, Education Secretary Michael Russell said this shows how decisions taken in Scotland benefit Scots.

Now those who choose eligible courses at the University of Southern Denmark, Malmo University in Sweden, Rhein Waal University in Germany, and the universities of Groningen and Maastricht in the Netherlands can have their fees paid by the country they study in and apply for the same package of bursaries and loans as those studying in Scotland.

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This year’s Summer Bridge Pupil Immersion Camp in China

6 September 2013 (Engage for Education/CISS)

In July a group of 79 pupils and teachers from across Scotland set off on an unforgettable trip to China. Organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools, and funded by Scottish Government, Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) and the Tianjin Education Commission; the trip gave pupils from Confucius Classroom Hubs the opportunity to spend an intensive 18 days studying Mandarin and experiencing Chinese culture in Beijing and Tianjin.

At the end of their stay they all obtained SQA accreditation and a YCT (Youth Chinese Test) Certificate. The Tianjin Education Commission were so impressed with the group that they have offered a number of scholarships to Scottish young people to study Chinese in Tianjin for a year. It wasn’t, however, all hard work, the group had the chance to meet some fantastic people, eat some delicious food and visit some famous sights, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Olympic Park. They also had the unique opportunity to spend time with their partner schools and in Chinese homes. The trip culminated in a closing ceremony for children from all over the UK. The young people performed in front of hundreds of people and participated in a poster competition in which pupils from the East Renfrewshire Confucius hub took first place. It was a memorable trip for all involved and goes a long way to strengthening existing relations between China and Scotland.

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Bring French language and culture alive for your students with funding for a visit to France

6 September 2013 (British Council)

British Council Schools Online has two exciting opportunities to develop your UK/France partnership. There are two grants available, one from the Charles de Gaulle Trust and one from the Lefèvre Trust. They both offer student mobility grants to schools in the UK and France and can be used for individual and/or group visits.

The grants are available to secondary schools. Submit your application by 30 September 2013.

See the British Council webpage for full eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Read more...

Language Camp: Where “Boring” is Just a Word

6 September 2013 (Goethe-Institut)

Schwäbisch Hall recently hosted 56 pupils from all over the world. They gathered there to revise German vocabulary, conjugate verbs, visit the Experimenta and explore the town, which, although larger than a “hall,” is not easy to get lost in.

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Language learning: the shaky future of study (and work) abroad

28 August 2013 (The Guardian)

Unless the government develops a coherent languages strategy, student mobility is threatened, says Anne Marie Graham. 

Another year, another fall (5%) in the number of language A-levels taken. The UK curriculum's first choice foreign languages, French and German, have been declining in popularity for more than a decade. And although numbers studying other languages, including Spanish and Arabic, have increased, they're not enough to buck the overall downward trend.

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The French Connection

9 August 2013 (TES)

Exchange trips to France, or further afield, were once a rite of passage for many British students, who returned with a stash of new swear words and tales of strange foreign food.  But in these risk-averse times the custom is under threat, as Irene Barker reports.

Read more...

Clearing 2013: think about studying abroad

1 August 2013 (The Guardian)

Whether you go for a term or a whole degree, studying overseas can be a rewarding experience – and it looks good on your CV.

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More Scots to get the chance to study abroad

19 July 2013 (TESS)

The number of young people from Scotland given the opportunity to study or train abroad is expected to double under new funding from the EU, it has emerged.

The Erasmus+ programme will replace the traditional Erasmus programme, which caters mainly for undergraduates and has sent more than 70,000 students from the UK to spend time abroad as part of their studies.

The revamped scheme will bring together a number of other programmes aimed at school and college students, as well as the existing Erasmus provision. The idea is to create a “one-stop shop” to make it easier for young people to arrange study or training placements abroad.

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Press release: British Council launches campaign for 15,000 UK students to go to China

11 June 2013 (British Council)

The British Council has launched a new UK-wide campaign to encourage and support student mobility to China, known as ‘Generation UK’.

The campaign aim is for at least 15,000 UK students to either study or gain work experience in China by 2016. Underlining the British Council’s ongoing commitment to promoting international opportunities to students across the UK, the goal of Generation UK is to create a new generation of more globally, culturally and business aware young people.

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Degree year abroad: intercultural skills, and lots of fun

7 June 2013 (The Telegraph)

The debate: is the university degree's year abroad a golden opportunity for personal development, or a needless expense of time and money?

University courses that include time spent studying or working abroad are open to students of almost every discipline, not just linguists. This experience gives students the opportunity to study their subject from a new perspective or to get international work experience in their chosen field. At the same time they make a network of contacts abroad and gain an understanding of the language and culture that helps them excel in their Finals and kick start their career.

At least that’s what’s supposed to happen...

A degree year abroad is your chance to embrace new challenges, but you have to ‘own’ it to make the most of it, says language student-turned-entrepreneur Lizzie Fane.

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Loving life in Lauf: All you need to know about teaching in a small town

5 June 2013 (Third Year Abroad)

Louise is studying German at the University of Warwick and is coming to the end of her year abroad as a Language Assistant in Lauf an der Pegnitz in Germany. Here is her advice about teaching in a small town: the German School System, the expertise required, the benefits and how being placed in a small town isn't the end of the world: it's a fantastic opportunity!

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Students go abroad to immerse themselves in a new culture

14 May 2013 (The Guardian)

UK universities are setting up campuses overseas to meet international demand, but studying on a foreign campus also has many benefits for UK students.

Read more...

Erasmus Student Case Studies

10 May 2013 (British Council)

Erasmus is the European Union's flagship educational exchange programme for Higher Education students, teachers and institutions. It encourages student and staff mobility for work and study, and promotes trans-national co-operation projects among universities across Europe. It gives many European university students their first chance to live and thrive abroad.

Encourage your students to think about the benefits of studying abroad as part of their university courses by sharing the stories of students who have participated in Erasmus who come from your part of the UK.

Read more...

Study, Work, Create

7 May 2013 (British Council)

Are you 16-25 years old and living in the UK? Study, Work, Create is your go-to site for the chance to travel and work abroad or in the UK, develop your creativity and increase your chances of finding a job.

Read more...

What’s keeping 80% of UK students from studying abroad?

30 April 2013 (British Council blog)

The British Council’s Elizabeth Shepherd delves into new research that explains why some students decide to study abroad while others stay at home. Since 2007 we have been tracking the opinions of international students to better understand their international study aspirations. Why do they choose to study outside their home country? Most cite higher-quality education, teachers, courses and facilities than those immediately available to them at home as the most important factors, followed by the cultural experience of living and studying overseas.

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KENYON: While abroad, politeness, flexibility can bridge language gap

24 April 2013 (Daily Nebraskan)

“Gracias,” “Dĕkuji,” “Danke,” “Takk,” “Merci,” “Thank you.” Languages can be a lot of fun. They can also be challenging.

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Preparation Course for your Erasmus in France

15 April 2013 (Alliance Française)

We will be running a new preparation course for students who are about to spend a year in France to study (Erasmus programme). This course will include useful information on student life, the French university system as well as some revision of the language to ensure a good start in this new challenge and a better chance to succeed. It will also be a good opportunity for you to meet fellow Erasmus students!

This course is designed for 2nd and 3rd year university students who will be spending a year/semester in France in 2013/2014.  Enrol by 1 May 2013.

Read more...

Experience China 2013

27 March 2013 (CISS)

Hanban is pleased to announce that the application to the immersive teacher training course Experience China 2013 is now open.

The course will be running from July 22nd to August 9th this year for three weeks. It is an introductory course to Chinese language and culture, and is aimed at the secondary and possibly primary teachers who are looking to teach beginner’s level Mandarin Chinese in their schools (secondary placements will have priority.) All in-country costs are generously covered by the office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban); travel and visa costs, however, are not included.

Please find more details and how to apply from the e-flyer attached. The course guide is available on the IOE Confucius Institute for Schools webpage from which you can also read about last year’s Experience China course.

Apply by 19 April 2013.

If you have any questions, please get in touch at meryl.james@strath.ac.uk or chinesenetworks@ioe.ac.uk. 

Read more...

Apply for a Transversal study visit and enhance your personal development

19 March 2013 (Ecorys)

The Transversal programme is part of the European Union’s Lifelong Learning Programme. It supports senior professionals, who are working in education and training, to exchange expertise and share best practice across Europe. Take part in a Study Visit to network and collaborate with colleagues across Europe. Enhance your existing skill set by exploring education systems and practices in another European country.

For more information about the programme, eligibility and how to apply visit the Transversal website. You can also see examples of previously funded Study Visits. Next deadline: 28 March 2013.

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New research shows UK students hampered by lack of overseas study information

6 March 2013 (British Council)

The vast majority of UK students are still not considering studying overseas, and over three quarters of them feel there is not enough information to make an informed decision, according to new research by the British Council.

Read more...

Eric Liddell China Saltire Scholarships

6 February 2013 (Scottish Government)

80 students will receive a £5,000 scholarship to strengthen links between China and Scotland in celebration of one of Scotland’s greatest ever Olympians.

The Eric Liddell China Saltire Scholarships will be available to Chinese students applying for a masters degree at the University of Edinburgh, where Eric Liddell studied. They will also be available to undergraduate students at the University of Edinburgh studying for a year abroad in China.

The scholarships will help to build on the existing economic and educational links between Scotland and China.

Read more...

Mandarin competition may lead to study in China

6 February 2013 (British Council)

Nishat Ali writes about her experience of taking part in the HSBC/British Council Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition, and how winning the contest has changed her life.

Read more...

Overseas study is good for business

13 January 2013 (The Independent)

Lack of opportunity, cash and ambition stops our students learning abroad.

Read more...

£750,000 help Scots study in mainland Europe

9 January 2013 (The Herald)

Scottish students studying in mainland Europe will be eligible for a full package of financial support for the first time under a £750,000 pilot scheme.
Under the initiative, the Scottish Government will offer 250 students bursary payments of up to £1750 and a student loan of up to £5500.

Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said officials would assess the demand for funding to ensure all Scottish students studying in the EU in future years would benefit. He said: "I want to ensure our young people have the opportunity to reap the cultural and career benefits of living and studying abroad.”

Read more...

On Location German

5 December 2012 (Radio Lingua)

Read the latest blogpost from Germany and pick up some useful German vocabulary for when you're moving house or feel under the weather and have to visit the doctor.

Read more...

Spanish trip adds spice to course

30 November 2012 (TESS)

An 'international mobility experience' served cookery and hospitality students well.

Read more...

‘On location’ blogs

28 November 2012 (Radio Lingua)

Read the latest blog posts from those learning the language and culture in Germany, Spain, France and Italy.

Read more...

DELF/DALF Examinations UK 2012

23 November 2012 (Institut français)

The Institut français in Edinburgh and the Alliance Française in Glasgow are the two official examination centres that give French learners the opportunity to obtain the official French diplomas awarded by the French Ministry of Education and are recognised internationally.

• The DELF, Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française(Level A1, A2, B1, B2) 
• The DALF, Diplôme Approfondi en Langue Française, (C1, C2)

Anyone who is not of French nationality and who wishes to validate his skills in French may sit the examination. If not simply for your own personal benefit, the diplomas can be an asset to your CV as they are internationally recognized for both professional applications and university studies. If you wish to register for the examination before 15 December 2012 for the examination session in January 2013, please contact the Alliance française in Glasgow or the Institut Français in Edinburgh.

Read more...

Saltire scholarships for Scots

12 November 2012 (Scottish Government)

The first government funded projects giving Scottish students overseas study opportunities have been announced by Education Secretary Michael Russell.
The projects at 10 universities, which will receive a share of £115,000, are designed to give students the chance to live and learn overseas as part of their studies and include opportunities in India, China, Canada, the United States and Europe.

Read more...

European personalities urge EU leaders to back Erasmus

9 November 2012 (European Commission)

More than 100 European personalities from the worlds of education, art, literature, economics, philosophy and sport have signed an open letter to EU Heads of State and Government in support of the threatened Erasmus student exchange programme. The signatories come from every Member State of the EU and include the Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar, the president of FC Barcelona Sandro Rosell, Nobel Prize winner Professor Christopher Pissarides and several Olympic champions.

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