HE
Goethe-Institut competitions for schools
8 February 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut offers a range of opportunities for schools. The following competitions are currently running:
- Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO) - the deadline for applications to the Internationale Deutscholympiade 2024 has been extended. Until 18 February 2024, students aged 14-17 can take part in the virtual national preliminaries. There's also an opportunity to become an accompanying teacher for the two UK finalists who take part in the IDO in Göttingen in July.
- Sustainable Cooking & German Competition with FitGreenMind - open to UK primary and secondary classes. Submission deadline 29 February 2024.
- Enterprise German competition (“Unternehmen Deutsch”) - this project combines aspects of German, economics, and professional orientation with a motivating competition. School classes from secondary schools in the UK and university students can register by 15 March 2024.
27 November 2023 (University of Edinburgh)
This specialist pathway is designed for teachers who are currently teaching bilingual or multilingual children in contemporary classrooms.
The University of Edinburgh is the only provider in Scotland of a Postgraduate Diploma in this area. Local authorities in Scotland regard this specialist Postgraduate Diploma as a benchmark for practitioners specialising in working with learners who have English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Visit the university website for more information about the programme and to apply.
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20 November 2023 (University Council for Languages)
In the context of threats to Modern Languages degrees at the University of Aberdeen, an online postcard campaign has been launched.
The University of Aberdeen is facing a sudden major financial deficit, in the context of which it has announced that it intends to make ‘drastic changes’ to LLMVC (School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture), with a particular focus on Modern Languages. It has been indicated so far that the University will be committed to languages learning but is not necessarily aspiring to maintaining languages degrees (in French, Gaelic, German and Spanish).
Please support the Postcard Campaign to showcase to Senior Management at the University of Aberdeen all the reasons why an ancient university with an international outlook should keep language degrees.
Visit the University Council for Languages website to see how you can take part and disseminate.
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13 November 2023 (Times Higher Education)
Aberdeen’s proposal to close language degree programmes might save money but it will impoverish international understanding.
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21 August 2023 (University of Strathclyde)
Are you interested in upskilling your French to GTCS-accredited standard? Then this could be the course for you!
The University of Strathclyde continues to offer a three-year Certificate of Continuing Education (CCEd) qualification in Italian and in Spanish and from session 2023-24 the course is now also being offered in French.
The CCEd is an intensive beginners’ class that will bring you up to first-year university standard in a year, with the option of continuing your studies into second year and up to university pass degree level within three years.
Classes will be in person on campus in Glasgow during term time on Tuesday evenings.
Further information and application details are now available on the University of Strathclyde's website.
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Moving forward with languages: workshops for Higher and Advanced Higher learners
18 August 2023 (SCILT / University partners)
Following the success of last year’s 'Moving Forward with Languages' workshops, SCILT has once again teamed up with languages departments from universities across Scotland to present a series of workshops during term one of the 2023-24 session.
Suitable for pupils studying any language at Higher or Advanced Higher level, learners will get tips, encouragement and support from lecturers which will help with course preparation now, and focus on the future, by finding out what it’s like studying languages at university level. Please note that language-specific examples will vary depending on the partner university's language offer. However, strategies, tips and advice will apply to all languages.
Registrations are now open. Please feel free to share the dates and topics with learners below:
The workshops will take place online via MS Teams and will not be recorded.
Please note that, due to SCILT’s funding conditions, priority is given to pupils attending state schools. If you do not attend a state school please email scilt@strath.ac.uk to enquire about places.
Please also see attached flyer which can be distributed to pupils or colleagues.
Coming soon! CCEd in French @ University of Strathclyde
16 June 2023 (University of Strathclyde)
Are you interested in upskilling your French to GTCS-accredited standard? Then this could be the course for you! The University of Strathclyde currently offers a three-year Certificate of Continuing Education (CCEd) qualification in Italian and in Spanish and plans to offer it in French from session 2023-24.
The CCEd is an intensive beginners’ class that will bring you up to first-year university standard in a year, with the option of continuing your studies into second year and up to university pass degree level within three years.
Classes will be in person on campus in Glasgow during term time on Tuesday evenings.
Further information and application details will be advertised soon via the SCILT bulletin/website and the University of Strathclyde website and communication channels.
For more information and to register your interest, the course contact is Joan-Emilie Lefever-Rhodes (joan.lefever@strath.ac.uk).
13 June 2023 (SALT)
The SALT annual conference will take place on Saturday 28 October 2023 (am) at the University of Strathclyde.
The event will be a hybrid event. There will be workshops for people attending in-person and workshops for those joining online.
The theme of this year’s conference is Learners without borders: empowering and inspiring Scotland’s language learners.
If you would like to offer a workshop on a topic relevant to Scotland’s Modern Languages teachers (from any sectors), fill in the form and we will be in touch with you! We are keen to hear from all over Scotland and highlight the excellent practice that is happening across the country. Your session will last a maximum of 45 minutes and can be on any topic that you think will be interesting to ML teachers.
Submit SALT 2023 proposals here.
If you are planning on attending the event but not presenting, please save the date and sign up will open in September.
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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.
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24 May 2023 (SCILT)
Are you, or you do know, a Masters or post-Masters student? Are you interested in doing a PhD in research around Scotland’s languages landscape? Then this could be the project for you!
An Evaluation of the Scottish Government’s 1+2 Language Policy and its Relation to Uptake of Languages in National Exams is a fully funded Collaborative Doctoral Award studentship working with the University of Stirling, the University of Glasgow and Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT).
This project will evaluate the outcomes of the 1+2 policy and provide an assessment of the factors that contribute to the educational context for language learning in schools. It will include a minimum of six months based at SCILT and will make an important contribution to knowledge about Scotland’s evolving languages landscape.
Closing date: Monday 5th June.
More details and application information through the link below.
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12 May 2023 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize has now launched! It is the leading annual prize for poetry in translation, with categories for pupils, teachers and individual young people in the UK and Ireland, as well as an Open category for adults from all over the world. The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language – from French to Farsi, from Spanish to Somali—and win publication and cash prizes!
There are some changes for the 2023 edition, including a spotlight on poetry from Ukraine.
Visit the Stephen Spender Prize website for further information and to register to take part.
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30 March 2023 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize for poetry translation is open to all ages. This year’s prize will launch on 12 May 2023, but teachers are invited to register to involve their students now. All those who register will receive regular resources and activities to help them to integrate creative translation into their teaching.
The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language.
This year sees several new categories in the competition, including a special spotlight on poetry from Ukraine.
Visit the website for more information and to sign-up to take part.
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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.
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16 March 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Calling all learners and lovers of German in the UK and Ireland! We invite you to look back at turning points from the past century of German – and therefore also European – history. Write a letter or diary entry imagining alternative developments and win one of three trips to Berlin and other exciting prizes!
The competition is open to learners and lovers of German of ALL levels! Jury members will be considering entries in several categories of language experience to ensure a fair assessment!
Exercises and recommended media to help students familiarise themselves with the theme of the competition are available to teachers and lecturers.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 3 May 2023.
Read more...
14 February 2023 (Times Higher Education )
Multilingual students face unique challenges that affect their participation and communication in the classroom, but educators can take steps to make them feel welcome.
[..] Working with multilingual learners can present challenges but can also be rewarding. Multilingual learners come to the classroom with an array of experience and backgrounds. By recognising the needs of these students and supporting them, you can create a more inclusive, safe and welcoming learning environment for everyone.
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New issue of TECLA magazine and upcoming training opportunities
12 December 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
Please find below the information about a new issue of TECLA magazine (December 2022) and upcoming training opportunities for teachers of Spanish:
- Publications. New issue of the magazine TECLA with lots of ideas and resources for Spanish classes. FREE DOWNLOAD!!!
- Training opportunities. Have a look at the CPD opportunities we have prepared for the first half of 2023: online sessions, face-to-face training in different locations in the UK, and immersion breaks in Spain during the school holidays of February, April, and July. SAVE THE DATE!!!!:
- Next online workshop – Saturday 21 January (10:00): Jornada monográfica en línea sobre aspectos culturales en la enseñanza del español. Free registration.
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6 December 2022 (Durham University)
The Centre for Foreign Language Study at Durham University has launched a competition to all UK learners of French, from Key Stage 4 to Higher Education.
The purpose of the contest is to provide an opportunity for learners of French to use the language creatively while promoting the study of French. In a digital age of short messages and tweets, we therefore want to invite participants to combine French, creativity and succinctness to design a slogan of their own on the themes of “le français: une nouvelle langue, une nouvelle culture, un nouveau monde”.
More information and full competition criteria can be found on the Durham University website. Submission deadline: 6 March 2023.
Read more...
29 November 2022 (British Academy)
Growing regional disparities and long-term shifts in how modern languages are studied in combination with other subjects offer a complex picture of language learning and provision at UK universities. These are the findings of a new report by the British Academy and the University Council of Modern Languages (UCML).
‘Languages Learning in Higher Education: Granular Trends’ examines UCAS data on language learning at a microscopic level, providing original insights on individual languages, shifts in the way languages are studied in combination with other subjects, and regional trends.
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28 November 2022 (ECML)
The latest issue of the European Language Gazette has just been published.
The ECML's e-newsletter provides up-to-date news about the ECML (events, projects, resources) and other relevant sectors of the Council of Europe as well as of our partners. It focuses on national developments in the field of language education in the member states and beyond.
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22 November 2022 (BBC)
Are you over 18, passionate about journalism and able to speak a second language? The BBC Future Voices programme is an exciting six-week journalism training scheme with BBC World Service Languages. Applicants should be available between January and February or March and April 2023.
Visit the BBC careers website for more information about the opportunity.
Read more...
Places available - Moving forward with languages: workshops for Higher and Advanced Higher learners
2 November 2022 (SCILT / University partners)
SCILT, together with languages departments from universities across Scotland, have teamed up to present this unique series of workshops during term one of the 2022-23 session.
Suitable for pupils studying any language at Higher or Advanced Higher level, learners will get tips, encouragement and support from lecturers which will help with course preparation now, and focus on the future by finding out what it’s like studying languages at university level.
There are still places available on the two remaining workshops:
Registration is open via the links above, each workshop covers a different topic so learners may sign up for as many workshops as they wish. The workshops will take place online via Zoom and will not be recorded.
Please note that, due to SCILT’s funding conditions, priority is given to pupils attending state schools. If you do not attend a state school please email scilt@strath.ac.uk to enquire about places.
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:
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7 June 2022 (Japan Foundation)
Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which promote Japanese language education in the UK.
Projects that fit into one of the four following categories are prioritised:
- Category 1 - Newly introducing Japanese into the curriculum
- Category 2 - Supporting GCSE or A-level courses
- Category 3 - Japanese clubs
- Category 4 - Projects that enable links between primary/secondary institutions and institutions of higher education
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information, application guidelines and forms.
Apply by 16 June 2022.
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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.
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9 May 2022 (Babel Magazine)
This year's competition for a young linguist to be published in Babel and win a year's subscription is now open!
Guidelines below:
- Deadline: Wednesday 31 August 2022
- Length: No more than 2,500 words
- Topic: Any topic to do with languages and linguistics – accessible and interesting for Babel readers
- Format: Word file
- Submission: Email to babelthelanguagemagazine@gmail.com
Examples of former winning entries can be found on the Babel website.
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3 May 2022 (Durham University)
UK learners of French, from National 5 upwards, are invited to invent a slogan in French on the themes of ‘le français et moi’ and ‘apprendre le français’. Make it catchy, concise and creative with an accompanying image.
Visit the Durham University website for more information and submit entries by 23 May 2022.
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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...
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.
Read more...
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."
Read more...
13 January 2022 (DAAD UK)
This year's German Language Competition from the DAAD London and the Institute of Modern Languages Research, University of London focuses on coming together, celebrating friendship and collaboration between people, countries and institutions beyond borders and across cultures.
The competition therefore asks entrants to explore what does Zusammen – Together Across Cultures mean for you? Submissions can be about friendship across borders or about initiatives across cultures within the German-speaking countries; perhaps imagine a future without borders altogether? We invite you to write a story, a poem or a song, make a video or podcast, draw a comic or cartoon, choose any form you like – in written or spoken German. Entry categories available for learners or native speakers.
Visit the competition website for more information and submit entries by 6 March 2022.
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13 January 2022 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow offers a range of French classes for adults, young people and children. Enrolment is now open for the new term commencing 7 February 2022. For more information about upcoming sessions click on the relevant link below:
The organisation also provides a variety of cultural events. Visit their website for more details.
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11 January 2022 (Learning through Languages UK)
Learning through Languages UK and the Centre for Language Research at Aston are running "CLIL Mondays" on the second Monday of each month from 4.30 to 5.30. This series of online talks is aimed at teachers at primary, secondary and tertiary levels who have an interest in Content and Language Integrated Learning. CLIL Mondays combine short 30-minute talks on aspects of CLIL with Q&A time. One session per term will be open to practitioners for sharing of good practice, you are warmly invited to come and present your CLIL work.
Full programme details and registration links can be found on the CLIL Mondays webpage.
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5 January 2022 (ECML)
The European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe and the Tempus Foundation organised an online workshop entitled “Learning environments where modern languages flourish” on 4 November and 9 December 2021.
The goal of the workshop was to help teams create action plans that will be implemented in schools after the workshop to establish a language-friendly environment where foreign languages are taught in a comprehensive way, either as separate subjects or through integration into subjects.
Detailed information about the project along with resources and tools related to the topic are now available on the ECML website.
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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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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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23 July 2021 (University Business)
The new president of the British Academy has vowed to monitor “the health of SHAPE disciplines”, like modern foreign languages, which have been hampered by dropping provision in higher education institutions.
SHAPE stands for ‘social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy’ and is a collective name coined last year by the British Academy, London School of Economics (LSE), the Academy of Social Sciences and Arts Council England.
‘’I will commit the British Academy to redoubling its work on monitoring the health of SHAPE disciplines, and particularly those affected by shrinking provision in higher education institutions such as modern languages,” said Prof Julia Black, the 31st president of the British Academy.
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30 June 2021 (King's College London)
If you're a learner of German looking for some summer reading, the latest issue of the KCL Königspost has now been published and can be viewed online. The Königspost is the German-language magazine produced by students in the Department of German at King’s College London. This issue contains articles written by current and graduating students on a wide variety of topics, from Germany’s immigration policy to student accounts of their Year Abroad.
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24 May 2021 (THE)
Imagine you’re 18 years old and you’re just beginning to learn how to read and write in a language you’ve never heard or spoken before. Not only that, but you have to learn it remotely, sitting online in front of a machine with a keyboard that, most likely, doesn’t have the letters of the language you’re about to learn. You’d be forgiven for asking yourself why you’re learning this language. And why you’re learning these strange-looking scripts.
This is likely the current situation of many students who are willing to learn a non-Roman language with a completely different script and great heritage, such as Arabic, Chinese or Hebrew.
But there are many other challenges that will arise during the learning process, particularly when doing so online. First, students face scripts that are inherently different from Roman languages. In the case of Arabic and Hebrew, students have to write from right to left. Written Chinese, as a logo syllabic script, contains different components and needs to follow certain stroke orders to write each character appropriately.
When choosing a tech tool to incorporate in a language classroom, teachers need to examine the tool closely because many technological tools are Roman-languages oriented.
Read more...
13 May 2021 (Babel)
Individuals and groups studying linguistics at sixth form, college or university are invited to enter this year's young writers' competition for a chance to be published in the Autumn edition of Babel magazine.
This year's theme is 'Attitudes to languages' and invites entrants to give their views about and experience of attitudes towards languages in a piece no longer than 2,500 words.
See the website for full details and enter by 27 August 2021.
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14 January 2021 (Edinburgh Napier University)
Worldwide Napier, the magazine in foreign languages designed by language students to encourage language studies, is currently looking for contributions in French, German and Spanish for its seventh issue. The next issue's overarching theme is Oblivion. Pick a subject associated with oblivion and turn it into an engaging article.
Students at secondary school, college or university are invited to submit contributions by email by 1 March 2021.
Visit the website for more information.
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8 December 2020 (Chinosity)
Create and share a 1-minute engaging video about any shocking, funny, or weird experiences you had while learning Chinese for the chance to win two round trip flights to China! Please showcase your Chinese speaking skills in the video as well. Open to all learners of Mandarin aged 13 and over. Submission deadline 15 January 2021.
Visit the Chinosity website to find out more.
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8 December 2020 (Linguacuisine)
The free Linguacuisine app helps you learn French, German and Spanish while you’re cooking a festive treat! Have fun baking with a friend, learn some new words and then feed your family and friends with a French Bûche de Noël, German Lebkuchen or Spanish Mantecados. You can do it online or by using the attached recipe card.
Visit the website for lots more recipes in a wide range of languages.
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20 November 2020 (British Council)
The MFL Student Mentoring Project was designed as a response to the ongoing decline in the number of learners choosing to study a (modern foreign) language past the compulsory stage of KS3 in Wales.
The project focuses on changing attitudes and perceptions of languages by training undergraduate students in four Welsh universities ( Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea) to mentor Year 8 and 9 learners (12-14 years old) in Welsh secondary schools to appreciate the value and benefits of language learning. The scheme has inspired the development of comparable projects in the UK.
Find out more on the British Council Wales website.
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5 November 2020 (UK-German Connection)
With details of upcoming opportunities, fun language features and inspiring alumni stories the UK-German Youth Newsletter brings young people from both countries closer together and helps them discover both cultures through the eyes of other young people.
Written by young people, for young people, the newsletter is aimed at the 14-25 year old age group and contains content in both English and German.
Young people can read the latest edition and sign up to receive the newsletter on the UK-German Connection website. Here they can also find guidance on how to submit a contribution.
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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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9 October 2020 (DAAD)
Das Wort der Zukunft – The word of the future
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Institute of Modern Languages Research (IMLR) are joining forces for the seventh time to invite all learners and lovers of German to take part in a German language competition.
This year’s competition aims to encourage learners of the German language to combine their linguistic creativity with their hopes and thoughts for the future. They say that new words capture the zeitgeist. New circumstances and events encourage us to create new terms to describe the world. Slowly but surely, these new words then become part of our everyday language.
Visit the DAAD website for more information and submit your entry by 8 January 2021.
Read more...
5 October 2020 (Edinburgh Evening News)
Deeming their language courses as “economically unsustainable”, Napier will terminate the teaching of French, Spanish and German from the beginning of the next academic year.
The announcement comes amid warnings of an “intellectual Brexit” in higher education and a drastic cut in income to higher education institutions due to the Covid-19 pandemic..
The changes will see Napier follow in the footsteps of fellow Edinburgh-based University, Heriot Watt, who are to launch an external review of their language programmes, despite their Scotland-leading position in translation. Meanwhile, Dundee University announced it will drop its German programmes.
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28 September 2020 (ECML)
The 'Action research communities for language teachers' website offers resources to support language teachers use action research as a tool for the development of reflective classroom practice, taking them step-by-step through the process of engaging in action research in their respective contexts. It also provides materials for teacher educators in initial teacher education.
Given the challenges teachers and learners have faced during lockdown and the challenges ahead as schools across Europe attempt to return to some kind of normality, the need for teachers to reflect on their practice and to benefit from professional learning communities is greater than ever. These new resources can strengthen teacher development and the provision of quality inclusive language education.
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News from language & education organisations
25 September 2020 (TELLConsult)
The latest developments in the EU Project 'CATAPULT' - Computer-Assisted Training And Platforms to Upskill Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) Teachers include the realisation of the beta version of the project's Teachers' Community of Practice (CoP) ‘LinguaCoP’. This platform supports LSP teachers to find and share resources and tips and with its matching tool ‘LinguaClick’ facilitates professionals to offer their services, also internationally.
View this short presentation video to see what this online CoP has in store for you and become a member for free.
Furthermore we gladly announce the start of the second (revised) edition of the free online course (MOOC) based on the LSP competence framework on October 10, 2020. Watch this video to get a sneak peek at what course participants can expect. Those interested can already register here
More information about these and other project developments can be found on the website or by following @ProjectCatapult on Twitter.
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Worldwide Napier magazine - call for submissions
16 September 2020 (Edinburgh Napier University)
Worldwide Napier, the magazine in foreign languages designed by language students to encourage language studies, is currently looking for contributions in French, German and Spanish for its sixth issue, desirably on cultural icons of the XXI Century, our next issue's overarching theme.
Students at secondary school, college or university are invited to submit contributions by 1 November 2020.
More information is available on the attached document.
10 September 2020 (Consejería de Educación)
The Consejería de Educación in collaboration with Junta de Castilla y León is offering online training sessions for teachers of Spanish during the months of September, October and November 2020.
The first of the workshops will be on Tuesday 22 September (4:30 pm): “The creative process of the student in the Spanish classroom”. Registration for this first workshop ―which is free of charge― is open until 20 September.
Visit the Consejería de Educación website for programme dates and content of the workshops.
Read more...
Online French exam support classes
8 September 2020 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow will be running online classes to support pupils studying for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams and students studying French at university. Follow the relevant link below for more information.
5 September 2020 (The Guardian)
For many students, working out what to study at university is guided by whether they want a route directly to a job, or to keep their options open. But sometimes it’s not easy to decide between the two.
This was Morgan McArthur’s experience. She’s now a 21-year-old languages student at the University of Sheffield – but she nearly became a dentist.
Read more...
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:
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.
1 September 2020 (Japan Foundation)
Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit making activities which promote Japanese-language education in the UK. Priority is given to projects falling within one of the following categories:
- Introducing Japanese into the curriculum
- Supporting GCSE or A-level courses
- Japanese clubs
- Projects that enable links between secondary institutions and institutions of higher education
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information and apply by 25 September 2020.
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24 August 2020 (Goethe-Institut)
#oekoropa is a Europe-wide digital youth competition on sustainable travel.
Pupils between the ages of 16 and 19 and teachers from all EU member states are invited to create innovative proposals for a climate-neutral journey across Europe. With the competition, the Goethe-Institut aims to demonstrate that travel is still possible in these times – at least as a concept, and later in a very real way.
Form teams online and devise an innovative roundtrip from your hometown to the trio capitals of the EU Council Presidency (Berlin, Lisbon, and Ljubljana) and inspire us with your idea of a sustainable Europe. The deadline for submitting proposals is 1 October 2020.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information.
Read more...
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...
31 March 2020 (ECML)
Are you a language teacher in upper secondary or in the university sector now adapting to the challenge of delivering your classes online? Would you like to discover motivating real-world tasks for your learners which will help develop their learner autonomy?
Are you a language teacher educator looking for creative ways to develop your teachers’ digital literacy skills, so that they in turn can support their language learners?
Are you a language researcher, interested in pedagogies based on social interaction?
If so, this new open-access resource website, developed through expert cooperation in the field of language education across geographic Europe and beyond, is most definitely for you.
Read more...
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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6 March 2020 (Erasmus+)
Do you know an 18-year-old up for an adventure? DiscoverEU is back – giving them the chance to travel across Europe!
If you’re unfamiliar with this European Union initiative, it offers young people aged 18 the opportunity to discover Europe by providing them with a free travel pass. They can travel by themselves or with a group of up to four friends.
The next round of applications takes place from 12 to 26 March 2020 and 30,000 travel passes are available.
Visit the Erasmus+ website for more information, including a short video about the initiative.
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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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26 January 2020 (The Guardian)
Sunderland University wants to become more “career-focused”. So it is to shut down all its language, politics and history courses and promote instead degrees that “align with particular employment sectors”. It’s an illustration of what happens when universities turn into businesses, and their ethos is defined by the market. It’s also symbolic of the divisions that now rend Britain’s social fabric.
Read more...
16 December 2019 (University of Edinburgh)
The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Secondary - is a one year (36 week) programme which begins mid-August. Places are available for 2020.
Visit the University of Edinburgh website for more information and to apply.
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French courses in Glasgow
2 December 2019 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is currently enrolling for the following courses taking place during January and February 2020. Click on the relevant link for more information.
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...
2 October 2019 (TES)
Private schools heads have warned of a possible “brain drain” if Labour were to introduce its proposed 7 per cent cap on university admissions from the independent sector, with pupils opting to study abroad instead.
Chris Ramsey, co-chair of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) universities committee, said some subjects like modern foreign languages could be severely impacted by such a cap.
“If you take a subject like MFL, our latest survey told us that 2,500 of our independently educated upper-sixth-formers were applying for modern languages courses," he said, speaking at the HMC annual conference in London.
"That’s one-fifth of the modern languages undergraduates that there are in the country.
"So if you just take that one subject, if only 7 per cent came in, where are the modern linguists going to come from, or are we just going to shrink the numbers of language students in our country?
(Subscription required to access full article)
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24 September 2019 (Alliance Française)
The autumn term has now started at the Alliance Française in Glasgow. Below is information on some of the upcoming events and activities this session. Click on the appropriate link for more information:
To find out more about the full range of courses and activities on offer, visit the Alliance Française website.
Read more...
World Wide Napier magazine - call for submissions
10 September 2019 (Edinburgh Napier University)
Building on the success of the first three issues, Worldwide Napier, a magazine in foreign languages designed by our language students to encourage language studies, is currently looking for contributions in French, German and Spanish for its fourth issue.
Students from secondary schools, colleges and other universities are invited to submit articles, written individually or collaboratively in the language they are studying. The magazine will be published by the end of December and will be available in digital and hard copy format, distributed for free in Scottish schools, Edinburgh cafés and cultural institutions.
See the attached flyer for more information. Submission deadline is 1 November 2019.
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...
31 July 2019 (The Guardian)
Just after the first world war, the UK produced its most comprehensive review of languages provision, the Leathes report. In the Brexit era we’re now faced yet again with different ideological, cultural and economic battles that have us examining our languages capacity, and discovering it falls well short of what is required.
After Brexit we will need a strong language base for trade, international relations and soft power. Yet instead of a growth in languages, we’re experiencing steep decline: the number of modern languages undergraduates fell by 54% between 2008–9 and 2017–18. With fewer students applying, at least 10 modern languages departments have closed in the last decade (the University of Hull is the most recent casualty), and many others have shrunk in size or reduced their range of languages. By one estimate, the number of German units has halved from more than 80 in 2002 to fewer than 40 today.
Second, if Brexit and the debate over the Irish backstop have taught us anything, it is that we need subject specialists with language skills – lawyers, economists, geographers, engineers, and business graduates with the language skills to understand, negotiate, and argue the details.
Third, we urgently need more language graduates with at least two languages to degree level to teach in schools and rebuild and sustain primary and secondary languages. At present we risk most state schools offering pupils only one language to GCSE and many offering none at all to A-level, in a way that would never be tolerated for the sciences.
To win back students, a new approach is needed.
Read more...
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!
Read more...
6 November 2018 (The Herald)
The number of students from Scotland learning a modern language at university has fallen by more than 500 in the past five years.
New figures show 3,400 students chose languages at a Scottish university in 2016/17 compared to nearly 4,000 in 2012/13.
The decline, which shows numbers are falling for German, French, Russian and Spanish, has sparked fears Scotland will become increasingly isolated in the world, particularly following Brexit.
This summer, opposition politicians called on the Scottish Government to launch an inquiry into the decline in the number of pupils studying modern languages at school.
The drop has been blamed partly on curriculum reforms which mean pupils experience a broader education in the first three years of secondary.
That means exam subjects are chosen a year later than previously with a shorter time to prepare - resulting in some subjects getting squeezed out.
Professor Vicente Perez de Leon, Head of the School of Modern Languages at Glasgow University, said the school squeeze was hitting university recruitment.
And he argued language learning at school should be protected and resourced to ensure numbers increase.
“Languages are something that can open possibilities for employment abroad or having better jobs here,” he said.
“They can open minds and allow students to make connections with new people, new cultures and new literature. It should be a priority within the curriculum.”
Dr Dan Tierney, an independent languages expert, said the decline was also fuelled by the closure of some university departments.
Read more...
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2 November 2018 (UCML)
The UCML has issued a new report on the language provision in UK modern languages departments.
The report investigates the provision of language modules (ie modules whose object of study is language) in MFL departments alongside models of collaboration between Languages departments and Institution-Wide Language Provision (IWLP) in UK universities.
Read more...
Related Links
Modern (Foreign) Languages: time to rename? (University of Oxford blog, 8 November 2018)
1 November 2018 (Japan Foundation London)
We are delighted to announce that the 14th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications!
This contest gives students the chance to make their voices heard in Japanese, and win some fantastic prizes! Finalists will all perform their speeches on Saturday 2nd March 2019 at King’s College London.
Read more...
1 November 2018 (FE News)
Japanese language scholarship open for entries
The search is on to find the next recipient of the Thomas Blake Glover ASI Scholarship, which will enable one Scottish student to have “the experience of a lifetime” studying in Japan.
Initiated by the Japan Society of Scotland and sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments, the scholarship offers a fully funded opportunity to undertake an intensive language course at a Japanese university.
Read more...
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...
21 September 2018 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française offers a range of courses and activities for French language learners. Click on the relevant link below to find out more about upcoming events:
Visit the main Alliance Française website for more information about the organisation and their initiatives.
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14 September 2018 (SCILT)
Today we're launching the 2018-19 Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition in Scotland.
All students who are learning a language at school, college or university, or who speak a native language at home, can get involved in celebrating their linguistic and cultural diversity through creative poetry writing as there are options to enter in either the Mother Tongue or Other Tongue category. All entries must be the students' own, original work.
For more information about this year's competition and previous events, visit our MTOT website and register to take part! The closing date for registrations is 26 October 2018.
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10 September 2018 (DAAD)
In addition to accompanying written texts, competitors are asked this year to make a short video on ‘Auf deutschen Spuren - In the footsteps of German-language culture’.
Find out about historical or current traces of German-language culture in your area and create a short film not exceeding 3 minutes featuring German-language dialogue or voice-over. Judges will be looking for creativity and language use - rather than technical ability.
The competition is open to all German speakers upwards from secondary school level.
Find out more about the competition on the DAAD website and submit entries by 5 October 2018.
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16 August 2018 (The Herald)
Fancy learning a spot of Doric? Furry boots? Aiberdeen Varsity.
It's better known for its schools of medicine, law or international relations. But now one of Scotland's ancient seats of learning has launched evening classes in a language many of its scholars have derided: north-east Scots.
Aberdeen University's Elphinstone Institute has devised 10-week workshops in Doric, to help both locals and newcomers to the region learn to speak - and more importantly - write in the mither leid.
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15 August 2018 (The Herald)
The number of applications for foreign language degrees has plummeted in the last decade, figures show.
Applications for both European and non-European language degree courses have fallen, according to an analysis of Ucas data carried out by the Press Association.
(Note - subscription required to read full article).
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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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30 July 2018 (The Times)
Head teachers may have to cut language courses in schools as a staffing shortage worsens.
With weeks to go until lectures begin, some modern language courses for teachers at leading universities are half empty. There is already a widespread recruitment crisis in the profession.
At the University of the West of Scotland only 11 of 20 places for one-year postgraduate teacher training courses in modern languages in secondary schools had been filled by mid-July.
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12 July 2018 (Theatre Sans Accents)
Theatre Sans Accents is on the lookout for 4 young people aged 16-25 who are passionate about the performing arts and with an interest in foreign languages and cultures (please note you don't have to be speaking a foreign language or be an experienced artist to apply to this!).
TSA will be running two free (but ticketed) events on Monday 13th August on the topic of Bilingualism and Theatre as part of the Festival at Fringe Central:
- A practical workshop in the morning exploring foreign languages in theatre
- A conversation/debate in the afternoon between a panel of young people, a panel of artists and the audience about the future of British and foreign artists in the UK post Brexit
Award-winning artists and companies Le Petit Monde, Brite Theatre, Jabuti Theatre, Fronteiras Theatre, Ludens Ensemble, Charioteer Theatre and Bilingualism Matters will be present on the day.
If you're selected to be on the panel you can also attend the practical workshop.
All we need from you is a short paragraph about why you wish to participate and why this conversation matters to you.
Any questions, please contact Marion Geoffray at hello@theatresansaccents.co.uk
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19 June 2018 (SCDE)
The Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE) Languages Group, which represents all language strands within the Schools of Education across Scottish Universities, has created a National Framework for Languages (NFfL) and associated digital resource to support teacher educators and teachers at all stages of their careers, with the aim of transforming the 1 + 2 Languages Policy in Scotland into purposeful classroom pedagogies promoting plurilingualism and pluriliteracies.
The NFfL is based on four overarching principles: plurilingualism, diversity, policy and legislation and transformative practice, and reflects the strands of the Professional Standards established by GTCS. For each of these strands the NFfL has identified a series of statements which encourage practitioners to consider a broad and inclusive understanding of the role of language in and for learning. These statements are linked to the associated digital resources: a reflective tool and digital resource bank.
The reflective tool includes a personal biography based on
Pepelino and the
European Language Portfolio as well as a series of reflective questions. These reflective questions are directly linked to the statements of the NFfL and aim to support teachers in evaluating their own practices.
The digital resource bank was created after a systematic review of the international literature covering formal language learning across all ages and stages, the increasingly complex demands of plurilingual and pluricultural classrooms and the need to develop a shared understanding of the role of languages for learning, which addresses the fundamental role played by languages (including the learners’ first language) in developing global citizens.
The NFfL and accompanying digital resources are now being piloted and can be accessed on the National Framework for Languages (NFfL) website.
Further information can be obtained from Ingeborg Birnie (
Ingeborg.birnie@strath.ac.uk).
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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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15 June 2018 (THE)
The Chinese government has announced plans to establish 100 “cultural heritage” centres at universities throughout the country that will run academic programmes and conduct scientific research in a bid to promote traditional Chinese culture.
The ministry of education said that it will “build about 100 excellent Chinese traditional cultural heritage sites” in universities and colleges nationwide by 2020, including 50 this year, and support institutions to “focus on ethnic folk music, ethnic folk arts” and folk dances, dramas and operas.
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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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23 May 2018 (DAAD)
To all learners and lovers of German, it’s time again to release your creative spirit and enter the annual writing DAAD/IMLR writing competition!
This – our fifth – jointly organised competition branches out into new territory: after successful (and exciting!) forays into poetry, prose, translation and dramatic dialogue writing, competitors are asked this year to make a short video on ‘Auf deutschen Spuren - In the footsteps of German-language culture’.
Find out more and how to enter on the DAAD website. Submission deadline is 5 October 2018.
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18 May 2018 (Babel)
Our 2018 competition is now open to 16-18-year-olds and undergraduates! Young linguists have until 24 August to enter for the chance to be published in Babel No25, to be published in November. The winner also, of course, receives a year's subscription to Babel!
Entries should be no longer than 2,500 words, and can discuss any topic to do with languages and linguistics.
Visit the website for more information.
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10 May 2018 (National Library of Scotland)
A competition opens today (10 May) which invites young people to show in film what Scotland means to them. The competition has been organised by the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Youth Film Festival as part of the Year of Young People.
Anyone under 19 years of age can submit a one-minute film on any theme, in any language and in any genre.
Visit the National Library of Scotland website for more information.
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30 April 2018 (Goethe-Institut)
The German Foreign Office is looking for children and teens who love writing and who would like to publish their own texts: Along the lines of “A world for you and me” young authors from around the world are invited to depict their fantasies, hopes and dreams.
Children and teens up to 19 years old can participate. Entries can be short stories, essays, poems or songs consisting of no more than 3000 characters (including spaces) and can be written in either German or English.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for further information. Entry deadline is 15 July 2018.
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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.
In June 2018 the European Commission is selecting up to 15.000 enthusiastic young people to be the lucky recipients of a travel pass to discover Europe.
Travelling is a chance for young people to take advantage of our freedom of movement, to discover the diversity of Europe, enjoy its cultural richness, and make new friends from all over the continent. Ultimately, it’s also a great opportunity to discover yourself.
With 2018 being the European Year of Cultural Heritage, consider yourself particularly lucky. It means that you will also have the opportunity to participate in the many events that are taking place this year all over Europe to celebrate our fantastically diverse cultural heritage.
Applicants must be 18 years old (and not yet 19) at the time of application and have the nationality of one of the EU countries. You can travel up to maximum 30 days and visit up to 4 different country destinations. Moreover, there is the possibility to travel either individually or as a group.
Visit the European Youth Portal website for more information. Applications open in June 2018.
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20 April 2018 (SCILT)
The celebration event for this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition took place on Saturday 17 March at the University of Strathclyde.
Visit the SCILT website to see the full list of winners and to view the anthology of winning poems. You can also find photos from the event and read some of the feedback received from pupils, parents and teachers.
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17 April 2018 (University of Liverpool)
A new 500-word short story competition – with entries judged by best-selling author Philip Pullman – is being launched ahead of the 2018 Liverpool Literary Festival.
The China Stories competition is looking for submissions across a broad range of categories. Winners will see their work published in a special anthology and take part in a writing session with the Royal Society of Literature, as well as receiving vouchers to spend as they wish.
Stories can be about anything, but to coincide with Liverpool’s China Dream season all entries should have a Chinese theme.
Entries are invited from primary and secondary students and should be submitted by 20 July 2018.
Further information can be found on the University of Liverpool website.
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5 April 2018 (Edinburgh Napier University)
Edinburgh Napier University is delighted to announce the publication of the very first issue of Worldwide Napier, a free magazine in which our students in languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) showcase some of their work. It is available now on digital and soon a few print copies will circulate within Edinburgh.
Secondary school pupils are being invited to contribute articles for the forthcoming issues. View the magazine online and see the attached introductory letter for more information.
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3 April 2018 (ECML)
The latest edition of the ECML's Language Gazette is now available on their website. The newsletter includes updates on the organisation's projects along with new initiatives, events and resources of interest to the language teaching community across Europe.
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22 March 2018 (YOYP/National Lottery)
To mark the Year of Young People 2018, a new National Lottery fund has been launched to help young people #SparkAChange in their lives. Grants between £3,000 and £10,000 are available for heritage, community and sports projects which are run by and for young people aged eight to 26. Funding is available for projects which encourage positive mental health for young people and inspire them to lead active lives.
We’re all aware of the positive mental health benefits of language learning, so why not encourage your students to set up a language project, perhaps a community language class or an outdoor language adventure trail? Visit the Lottery Fund website for more information and to apply by one of the two funding deadlines - 30 April 2018 or 18 June 2018.
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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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12 March 2018 (Inside Higher Education)
Foreign language enrollments dropped 9.2 percent from fall 2013 to fall 2016, according to new data from the Modern Language Association. The drop is the second largest since the MLA started tracking such information in 1958.
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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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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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22 November 2017 (THE)
Research suggests that students learn better in their native tongue, and English fails to prepare international students for a job after graduation.
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Guardian (14 November 2017)
The potential risk to UK universities from post-Brexit academic flight has been laid bare in a report that reveals there are regions where up to half of academic staff in some departments are EU nationals.
The British Academy report warns that economics and modern language departments will be particularly badly hit if European academics leave the UK, with more than a third of staff in each discipline currently from EU member states.
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13 November 2017 (The Scotsman)
A group of actors from the UK’s only degree course for deaf performers are taking their show on the road for the first time this week, with the hope that it will challenge public perceptions.
The production, which blends British Sign Language (BSL) with spoken English, will be performed by students from the Glasgow-based Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The group of ten actors are all studying Performance in British Sign Language and English, a three-year degree course which is the only one of its kind in the UK.
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8 November 2017 (The Guardian)
Philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein may have made a good case for studying languages when he said: “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” But be warned: if you quote him in your personal statement, you may test the admission tutor’s patience.
Students often start by quoting someone famous, says Mike Nicholson, director of admissions at the University of Bath, who thinks it’s a “waste of space” and “just demonstrates that you can copy and paste”. Hilary Potter, a teaching fellow at the University of Leeds, adds that quotes “don’t tell us anything about the student”.
Whether you’re interested in French, Spanish, Arabic or Japanese, your first step will be to impress admissions tutors and convince them you deserve a place on their course. A strong, cliche-free personal statement is a must, but what else should you include? And what mistakes should you avoid?
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23 October 2017 (UK-German Connection)
Calling all pupils interested in European issues! Take part in the Young Europeans Award and win a trip to Warsaw!
This initiative aims to encourage dialogue and exchange between young people in the 'Weimar Triangle' countries - Germany, France and Poland. For the 2017-18 round, the UK has been invited to take part as a guest country.
Teams of young people from within schools in Germany, France, Poland and the UK are invited to enter the competition (with support from their school) in groups of 6+ by sending in a collaborative creative project of their choice addressing the statement: 'To be or not to be...a European'.
Winning teams will have the opportunity to visit the Polish capital, Warsaw.
Applications should be submitted by 1 March 2018.
To find out more about the initiative and how to take part, visit the UK-German Connection website.
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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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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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9 October 2017 (DAAD)
Jointly organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the IMLR, this year sees the fourth writing competition for all learners and lovers of German. The competition is open to secondary schools, undergraduates, postgraduates and anyone else who feels up to the challenge!
This year, the task ties in with the 500th anniversary of Luther’s publication of his 95 theses that sparked the Reformation. Put yourself in the shoes of a time-travelling spy: you overhear a conversation between Luther or one of his German, Austrian or Swiss contemporaries (real or imagined) and a figure from public life in 2017 Britain. Is the German-speaking 16th-century time traveller debating Brexit with Boris Johnson or comparing sporting skills with Andy Murray? Does Jamie Oliver try to revolutionise cooking skills of Reformation Germany? Write down what you hear! The only two rules: the dialogue must be written in German and it must not be longer than 350 words.
Visit the DAAD website for more information and to submit entries by 23 October 2017.
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9 October 2017 (The Herald)
A university has downgraded the teaching of Italian sparking wider fears for the study of the country’s language and culture in Scotland.
Strathclyde University, in Glasgow, will no longer offer students the opportunity to study joint honours degrees in Italian.
Instead, the language will be taught at a more basic level in only the first and second years of a four year degree course.
The move brings to an end a long tradition at Strathclyde where students could combine subjects as diverse as architecture, engineering, law and politics with Italian to degree level.
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2 October 2017 (Japan Foundation)
We are delighted to announce that the 13th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications!
This contest gives students the chance to make their voices heard in Japanese, and win some fantastic prizes! Finalists will all perform their speeches on Saturday 24 February 2018 at King’s College London.
The contest is aimed at undergraduate students who are currently studying Japanese as a foreign language at a university in the UK or Ireland.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information and to apply by 9 November 2017.
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2 October 2017 (THE)
Students who go abroad as part of their degree for a short period of time develop better teamwork skills than those who go overseas for a year, while other areas of development are unaffected by the duration of international study, according to a survey of alumni [...] A longer period of studying abroad had a “significantly positive effect” on the development of 11 of the 15 skills surveyed, including language skills, self-awareness, intercultural skills and confidence.
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1 October 2017 (Cable Magazine)
As the study of Russian in Scotland passes a notable milestone, Jenny Carr of the Scottish-Russia Forum casts an eye across the educational landscape and asks whether we should be doing more to enhance our knowledge of the Russian language and culture.
The University of Glasgow celebrates the centenary of Russian studies at the university this year. Celebrations began in September with a conference and other events at the university, and will continue throughout the semester.
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26 September 2017 (Times)
The STEM revolution sweeping schools has boosted the popularity of science subjects at university. However, what if scientifically gifted teens are not ready to give up history, English and the arts?
Universities are increasingly offering broader-based degrees based on US-style liberal arts courses. These hybrid STEAM (STEM plus arts) degrees enable students to combine a wide range of humanities, social sciences and natural sciences courses, according to what they are interested in. They also provide the opportunity to learn a language and study abroad for a year.
Subscription required to access full article
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22 September 2017 (SCILT/CISS)
Today sees the launch of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition and we're delighted to announce the addition of a category for students in further and higher education, enabling all Scottish educational establishments to participate.
Whether pupils are learning a language at school, college or university, or whether they speak a native language at home, everyone can get involved in celebrating their linguistic and cultural diversity through creative poetry writing as there are options to enter in either the Mother Tongue or Other Tongue category. Even if you've taken part in the competition before, please note and read the new rules and criteria as only original work will be considered.
For more information about this year's competition and previous events, visit our MTOT website and register to take part! Closing date for registrations is 27 October 2017.
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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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24 August 2017 (SCILT)
UCMLS, the professional organisation representing languages staff in Scottish universities, is again holding two sets of regional cross-sector meetings during 2017-18, with support from SCILT.
The first round of meetings will be during the week beginning 11 September 2017. We will present our planned events and initiatives for the coming session, including the new Languages Lost & Found events on 18 November.
Language teachers and staff in schools, colleges and universities are warmly invited to attend. For those who live too far to attend in person we are also offering the option of joining us on one of two virtual meetings via Skype.
Please register for your session choice by Friday 1 September 2017.
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7 August 2017 (TES)
A leading university has announced plans to recognise British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications in its entry requirements.
University College London (UCL) said that in future, BSL will be considered as meeting the institution's modern foreign language (MFL) requirement.
The university is the only UK institution that requires all of its UK undergraduates to hold at least a C grade at GCSE in another language or to sign up for courses as part of their degree.
It has now announced that it will recognise sign language as part of the requirement, saying it hopes the decision will increase awareness and access to the language.
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23 June 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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15 June 2017 (EVALUATE Project)
EVALUATE is a European Policy Experiment project funded by Erasmus+ Key Action 3.
This experimentation will evaluate the impact of telecollaborative learning on student-teachers involved in Initial Teacher Education in the participating European countries and regions. Telecollaboration, also commonly known as Virtual Exchange, involves engaging trainee teachers involved in Initial Teacher Education in task-based interaction and collaborative exchange with fellow trainees in other locations through online communication technologies.
The guiding research question for the study is: “Will participation in telecollaborative exchange contribute to the development of competences which future teachers need to teach, collaborate and innovate effectively in a digitalised and cosmopolitan world?”
A teacher-training event is due to be held in Italy 5-7 July 2017.
Visit the website for more information about the project and how to get involved.
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31 May 2017 (EIFF)
The programme for this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) taking place from 21 June to 2 July 2017 has just been published.
The event will showcase films from 46 countries so there are plenty of opportunities to test your language skills!
For more information about what's on offer, visit the EIFF website.
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12 May 2017 (The Telegraph)
Competition for graduate jobs has never been more fierce. With tuition fees and living costs representing financial sacrifices for many, students reasonably demand degree courses that offer them the best value for money in today's tough jobs market.
Languages feature in the list of the top 12 degree subjects.
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11 May 2017 (British Council)
Beginning your career or starting a new job brings to mind lots of questions, so we’ve designed a course to guide you through those initial weeks and months so you can make a positive start to your career.
You’ll see videos from employers, giving you insights from around the world into what they look for from their employees. You’ll learn how to communicate across cultures and discover the skills to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, managers and clients.
This is a free 4-week course and is hosted online by FutureLearn.
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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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25 April 2017 (SCILT / UCMLS)
Following our final consultation with stakeholders at the national UCMLS conference in Glasgow on 10 March 2017 we have produced our cross-sector Action Plan in support of Scotland's 1+2 language policy, and it is now available online. Click below for more details but please REFRESH THE PAGE to get the latest version of the webpage!
Marion Spöring, UCMLS chair.
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30 March 2017 (ALL)
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Embassy in London, the Institut Français du Royaume-Uni and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) are looking for the next generation of translators into English.
Higher Education Institutions across the UK are being invited to nominate their most promising undergraduate student(s) to take part in a one-day exclusive Masterclass in Translation to be held at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, on Thursday, 27th April 2017 with the opportunity for two Masterclass students to visit the Frankfurt Book Fair this year.
This call is open to undergraduate students only. Students must have a proficiency in either German or French (Level B1 and higher, according to CEFR). A combination of the two languages is very welcome but not required.
The candidates and the nominators are asked to complete the application form and send it electronically to
application@lond.diplo.de by Tuesday 18 April 2017.
For full terms and conditions, visit the Association for Language Learning (ALL) website.
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27 March 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française has a number of upcoming opportunities for French language learners in Glasgow. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
- Spring Break Revision Classes April 2017 (3-7 April) - preparation courses for pupils sitting Nat 5, Higher and Advanced Higher French this year and University students due to sit exams later this year.
- Easter workshop for primary school pupils (3-7 April) - children will learn about French language and culture through fun Easter-themed activities.
- Term D adult courses now enrolling - classes available at all levels from Beginner to Advanced, along with specialised courses such as Conversation, Current Affairs, Grammar and Phonetics. New term commences 18 April 2017.
- New adult classes - Beginners, Lunchtime Conversation Class, Phonetics Class, Grammar Class commencing from 18 April 2017.
For further information about the Alliance Française and their full range of activities, visit their website.
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23 February 2017 (Times Higher Education)
Are modern language degrees becoming obsolete? Absolutely not, say these four modern languages students.
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23 February 2017 (THE)
Six academics offer their views on the state of language learning in a populist climate.
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22 February 2017 (THE)
Matthew Reisz reflects on the role of universities in overcoming monolingualism.
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17 February 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running a new translation course specifically designed for students who are currently studying French at University. This course will increase language skills and should greatly help prepare for exams where translation is involved.
This new 5-week course will take place on Wednesdays between 3.45-5.45pm starting Wednesday 1 March.
Visit the website for more information and to enrol by Saturday 25 February.
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12 February 2017 (Sunday Herald)
Does language learning have a place in the Scottish curriculum? Yes. Are modern languages and their teachers under pressure in secondary schools? Yes. Has there been a better opportunity for promoting language learning in our schools ? No.
Language learning has a vital place in Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) on a learner journey from 3-18 but in a manner that does not see it as the preserve of the secondary school.
It has always baffled me that traditionally in Scotland, given its place in Europe, we started language learning so late in a child’s development.
The earlier we expose children to learning languages, the better their chance is of seeing this as something that is just part of their culture.
From a child development point of view, there’s much research to confirm that children are more receptive educationally and emotionally to language learning from an early age.
They soak it up and acquire language skills at a great pace. We know that bilingualism not only helps the cognitive development of the child but also that children who are in bilingual education such as Gaelic Medium Education also attain and achieve at least as well as, in many cases better, than their monoglot peers. They are fluent in two languages and are learning a third by the age of 11. In addition, there is another plus to early exposure to acquiring additional languages; most parents like it, understand it and support schools that promote it.
The Scottish Government-led 1+2 languages programme is a long-term policy commitment started in 2011 due to run until 2021, aimed at making it normal for all children and young people in Scotland to learn languages from primary one.
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7 February 2017 (Many Languages One World)
The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), in collaboration with ELS Educational Services, Inc., (ELS) invites students, 18 years and older, who are enrolled in a full-time course of study at a college or university, to participate in the Many Languages, One World Essay Contest.
The essay should discuss global citizenship and cultural understanding, and the role that multilingual ability can play in fostering these and must be written in one of the six official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish).
Visit the Many Languages, One World website for more information about the competition and how to enter. Submission deadline is 16 March 2017.
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26 January 2017 (University of Edinburgh)
Let your senior phase students see a meaningful context in which German is spoken and meet the students who ran the integration project working with refugees in Germany.
The principal aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness, hopefully inspire similar projects and increase learner motivation for those who often don´t see the relevance of learning a language.
The photo exhibition will be open from March until the end of May. Interested schools can arrange to either:
- come and see the exhibition at the University of Edinburgh and meet some of the students involved
- see the exhibition and have some workshops about the refugee crisis
- request photos of the exhibition, the power point presentation and the film clip for those who are too remote to come to Edinburgh
Please email Annette Gotzkes in the first instance to discuss your preferred option.
Further information about the project can also be found on the University of Edinburgh website.
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24 January 2017 (Language Show Live)
Scotland’s biggest and most prestigious event dedicated to all things language is back at the SECC in Glasgow on the 10th – 11th of March 2017. Officially sponsored by Education Scotland and the Scottish Government this free to attend event is a must for anyone interested in learning or advancing their languages, exploring job opportunities in the language industry, considering teaching or working abroad, enjoying a fantastic range of international cultural performances and much, much more!
10TH MARCH – 9:00AM – 6:00PM GLASGOW SECC
11TH MARCH – 9:00AM – 5:30PM GLASGOW SECC
Sample our extensive free seminar programme, meet over 100 top exhibitors like the European Commission, the Chartered Institute of Linguists and the British Council, meet language professional recruiters, enjoy our fantastic array of cultural performances, free language classes and more.
Find out more and
register for free today.
Our trademark intensive 2 hour Language Plus classes are also now available online at a heavily discounted early bird rate (over 20% off the standard price!) of just £18. These optional add-ons can be purchased at the end of the free registration process and are certain to add a productive language experience to your day!
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13 January 2017 (UCML)
Presentations of most of the speakers at the Workshop held on 6 January 2017 are now available to view on the UCML website.
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Regional Cross-Sector Hub Meetings, Round 2
13 January 2017 (SCILT / UCMLS)
UCMLS (University Council for Modern Languages Scotland) is again holding a second round of regional cross-sector hub meetings during January and February.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet with university colleagues to discuss current and future collaborative events in support of the Scottish Government's 1+2 language policy. Comments will feed into the UCMLS cross -sector action plan in support of 1+2, due to be launched on Friday 10 March 2017 at Glasgow City Chambers.
- Central Hub: Saturday 14 January 2017, 10-11.30, University of Dundee, Dalhousie Building, Room 2G13 (Registrations for the Central Hub meeting have now closed but if you wish to attend please send an email to m.m.g.sporing@dundee.ac.uk)
- North Hub: Wednesday 1 February 2017, 4-5.30 pm, University of Aberdeen, Sir Duncan Rice Library, Top Floor, Room 1. Please register by 25 January
- West Hub: Thursday, 2 February 2017, 5-6.30 pm, City of Glasgow College, Cathedral Street, Glasgow. Meet in Cafe Zero. Please register by 27 January
- East Hub: Friday, 24 February 2017, 2-4 pm, Open University, 10 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh. Room tbc. Registration will open once room details have been confirmed so please look out for the update!
9 January 2017 (Acair Books)
Acair Books, an Lanntair and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have created a new award to encourage original writing in Gaelic for children.
The aim of the award is to:
- Actively support original writing in Gaelic for children
- Encourage and nurture new writers in Gaelic
In 2017, the award is for a book for 5 to 8 year-olds and must be between 1000 and 2000 words.
The work must be written in Gaelic by a writer aged 16-years or over, and who has never had a Gaelic book published for children before.
Visit the website for further information and submit your entry by 31 January 2017.
Read more...
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.
Read more...
2 January 2017 (Culturethèque)
An exciting French writing competition has just been launched by French astronaut, Thomas Pesquet, from the International Space Station.
Young people, up to the age of 25, are invited to write a short piece in French based on le Petit Prince and submit their entries by 28 February 2017.
See Thomas speaking about the competition on the launch video and find out how to enter on the Culturethèque website.
Read more...
15 December 2016 (SCILT / UCMLS)
We are holding a second round of regional cross-sector hub meetings in January/February where we are seeking your views in preparation for the UCMLS action plan in support of the 1+2 language policy (Launch date: 10 March, in Glasgow!).
Dates for Central and North Hub are already decided, those for East and West Hub will be announced in the New Year.
First up, though is the Central Hub meeting, which will be held at the University of Dundee (Dalhousie, Room 2G13) on Saturday 14 January 2017, 10-12 (Registration from 9.30). The North Hub meeting will be at the University of Aberdeen, on Wednesday 1 February (Library, top floor).
Please check for updates on the SCILT website.
Read more...
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.
Read more...
23 November 2016 (Alliance Française)
Studying French at university? Brush up on your grammar and oral skills at the AF !
We will be running two new courses for grammar and oral practice specifically designed for students who are currently studying French at university.
The courses will run for 5 weeks during January/February 2017.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
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...
28 October 2016 (European Parliament)
Since 2008, the European Parliament together with the ‘Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen’ have each year been inviting young people from all EU Member States to submit projects run by and for youth showing an active participation in the development of Europe.
Young people aged between 16 and 30 from any EU Member States can submit projects for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize. Projects can be submitted individually or, preferably, in groups.
This year's competition is now open and invites projects on EU development, integration and European identity issues which must be submitted by 30 January 2017.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
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Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations
25 October 2016 (DAAD)
The DAAD and the IMLR, together with the Goethe-Institut and the Swiss and German Embassies in London, are calling all learners and lovers of German to take part in a writing competition! This time, the task is to write a story in German.
Two German-speaking authors, Anja Tuckermann (Berlin) and Ulrike Ulrich (Zurich), have provided beginnings of stories of migration. Now it’s your turn to take one of these beginnings and continue spinning the yarn. You are free to develop your text in any direction you choose: to write a story of flight or refuge, of identities and self-images, of encounters or new beginnings … . Your story can be set in the past, the present or the future - and in any geographical setting you wish. The only rule: it must not be longer than 250 words.
The competition is open to students at secondary schools, Sixth-Formers, undergraduates, postgraduates and anybody else who feels up to the challenge!
Visit the DAAD website to find out more and submit your entry by 6 January 2017.
Read more...
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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S1-S3,
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HE,
All Languages,
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Funding,
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Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
6 October 2016 (University of Strathclyde)
Now in its 5th year, the Language Ambassadors Programme is offering visits to Secondary or Primary schools (and other formats too). As Language Ambassadors we will talk about our varied experiences as language learners and do our best to encourage your pupils to follow in our footsteps…
Motivation, experiences abroad, transition to First year at university, job prospects, university courses… This is what we can tell them about.
Boost your young learners’ motivation, invite us in!
For more information see the Language Ambassadors website and to organise a visit, simply contact: Cédric Moreau, c.moreau@strath.ac.uk.
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News from language & education organisations
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.
Read more...
6 October 2016 (The Conversation)
For some time, there have been many stories told of the “crisis” in modern languages in secondary schools and universities. There is hard evidence to support this. Even though there have been upsurges in modern languages provision – following the introduction of the English Baccalaureate for example – pupil numbers continue to fall.
In Wales, where modern languages are still an optional choice at GCSE, research shows that the number of pupils studying a foreign language declined by 44% between 2002 and 2015. The number of pupils taking French in 2015 was less than half those who took it in 2002.
But why are pupils put off taking a language at GCSE level, and how can we improve attitudes to the subjects? As a bilingual country, it seems counter-intuitive that Welsh pupils cannot see the benefits of studying languages. However, research from an engagement project we have recently been running suggests a range of things are influencing pupils’ decisions not to study a language.
The mentoring project saw undergraduate modern language students from four Welsh universities trained to work with year eight and nine pupils (aged 13 and 14) in 28 schools. The students helped the pupils to practice their language, build confidence and knowledge, and teach them how modern languages can aid personal and professional development.
Our work was part of a push by the Welsh government, to arrest and reverse the decline in modern languages study by 2020.
Read more...
4 October 2016 (AOL)
Harsh grading is resulting in a decline in the number of students sitting modern foreign languages, with native speakers performing less well than those whose mother tongue is English, it has been claimed.
Independent school headteachers said students sitting Spanish, French and German from GCSE through to A-level had been marked more heavily for the last decade, compared with other subjects.
Members of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) said poor exam results were "sapping (students') confidence", while entries in A-level Spanish, German and French are all down on the previous year, by 2.7%, 4.2% and 6.4%, respectively.
James Priory, headteacher at Portsmouth Grammar School, said: "We have seen unpredictable language results this year. A number of students predicted B grades, for instance, have received grades below expectation, with the result that they are no longer set on studying languages at university.
Read more...
22 September 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow will be running a new grammar course specifically designed for students who are currently studying French at University. This course will increase students' language skills and should greatly help prepare for exams.
The 5-week course takes place on Wednesdays commencing 19 October.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
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.
Read more...
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...
Posted in:
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HE,
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Language Learning,
Languages - Further Education,
Languages - Higher Education,
Promoting Languages,
Qualifications,
Study Abroad,
SCILT news
17 June 2016 (SCILT)
SCILT, Scotland's National Centre for Languages and the School of Education, University of Strathclyde hosted an afternoon of seminars led by language practitioners, students and academics on various strands of language learning including bilingualism, motivation and translanguaging.
SCILT has used Storify to summarise the discussions from the day. Visit our Storify page for a flavour of the event.
Read more...
Posted in:
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CPD,
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Motivation,
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Teacher Education,
SCILT news
23 May 2016 (The Guardian)
Use the Guardian's 2017 league table of modern languages and linguistics taught at UK universities to help with course choices.
A link to the guide can also be found on the Beyond School area of the SCILT website under the Language courses, UK universities section.
Read more...
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...
29 March 2016 (TES)
A level students focusing on science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) subjects or languages are more likely to go to Russell Group institutions, according to research.
And the study finds that students who specialised in "applied" or "expressive" subjects – such as accounting, law, music and performing arts – were more likely to go on to study at less prestigious newer universities.
Read more...
24 March 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running semi-intensive revision courses between Monday 11 and Friday 15 April for Secondary School pupils and University students who are due to sit their French examinations later this year.
These revision courses will concentrate on the following skills: reading, listening and writing.
Full details are available on the Alliance Française website.
Read more...
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...
26 February 2016 (Alliance Française)
Improve your translating skills at the Alliance Française!
They will be running a new translation course specifically designed for students who are currently studying French at University. This course will increase your language skills and should greatly help prepare for exams where translation is involved (version & thème).
This new course will take place on Wednesdays between 3.45-5.45pm and will start on Wednesday 2nd March for 5 weeks.
The cost to enrol is £60 per student.
Please visit or contact AF Language Office if you wish to enrol.
Read more...
12 February 2016 (British Council)
Would you like to be an English Language Assistant in Spain for the 2016-2017 academic year? British Council applications are now open.
The large number of posts available this year means that it is very likely that the vast majority of applicants for Spain will be allocated by the Spanish Ministry of Education (MECD).
Please note that the minimum language level required for a post in Spain is A2 on the European Framework (slightly lower than the B1 requirement for other countries) and that, as with all countries, applicants do not need a formal qualification in Spanish to be eligible.
Find out more about the eligibility requirements and posts in Spain on the British Council website.
Why become a language assistant in Spain?
Becoming a language assistant in Spain offers candidates a paid international work placement that can really make their CV stand out. As well as providing an opportunity to build on their Spanish language and teaching skills (or find out whether teaching is really for them), a language assistant placement enables candidates to develop a range of skills such as confidence, team working, adaptability and cultural awareness that are transferrable to future employment. In fact, 95% of last year's assistants said the assistantship enhanced their career prospects, and 90% said they'd improved or greatly improved their language, teaching and other transferable skills.
With only 12-16 teaching hours per week and a generous monthly allowance, assistants in Spain have the opportunity to explore this interesting and diverse country, as well as to visit neighbouring countries in their spare time.
Read more...
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...
19 January 2016 (Heriot-Watt University)
Heriot-Watt University's Multilingual Debate is an annual event that showcases the interpreting skills of undergraduate students on our Languages (Interpreting and Translating) degree programme, as well as the developing professional skills of postgraduate students on our MSc Interpreting and Translating programmes. The event takes the form of a formal debate with two multilingual teams arguing for and against a motion of topical interest in a range of languages. The teams deliver their views in their various native languages (French, German, Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, British Sign Language (BSL)).
The audience is mainly made up of pupils coming from Scottish and English secondary schools, but also university undergraduate students considering entering the interpreting profession, as well as government and local authority representatives. The audiences participated in the debate by listening to the arguments, putting questions to the speakers in the languages represented and voting on the motion.
The Multilingual Debate 2016 takes place on Wednesday 23 March at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus.
To find out more about the debate topics and how to sign up to attend a session, see the video presentations in Arabic, BSL, Chinese, English, French and Spanish on the Heriot-Watt website.
Read more...
Posted in:
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HE,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic,
BSL
14 January 2016 (BBC News)
Are we "losing knowledge" because of the growing dominance of English as the language of higher education and research?
Attend any international academic conference and the discussion is likely to be conducted in English. For anyone wanting to share research, English has become the medium for study, writing and teaching.
That might make it easier for people speaking different languages to collaborate. But is there something else being lost? Is non-English research being marginalised?
A campaign among German academics says science benefits from being approached through different languages.
Read more...
11 January 2016 (ELS Educational Services)
Full-time university students are invited to write an original essay (2,000 words or less) discussing global citizenship and cultural understanding and the role that multilingual ability can play in fostering these. The essay should reflect your personal, academic, cultural and national context.
Essays must be written in an official language of the United Nations that is not your first language or primary language of instruction during your primary or secondary education.
Essays should be submitted by Thursday 31 March 2016.
Visit the competition website for more information..
Read more...
Posted in:
HE,
Chinese,
French,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations,
Russian,
Arabic
25 September 2015 (LLAS)
We are planning the publication of a selection of case studies showcasing the excellent and inspiring work of language teachers, academics and practitioners in the area of employability for language graduates. This collection will form a snapshot of good practice and show the outcomes of recent projects and debates in the area of employability. Case studies will accompany articles from invited contributors describing a variety of personal experiences in the area.
This open access e-book will be freely available for download and will be aimed at practitioners in secondary and tertiary education. The focus of the book will be around practical experience ‘in the field’ and reflective practice, rather than research.
Expressions of interest in contributing to the book are invited. Deadline 5 October 2015. More information can be found on the LLAS website.
Read more...
18 September 2015 (UCML)
Northumbria University has reviewed its degrees in French and Spanish and decided to close them for being non viable, due to student numbers.
UCML understands that a review has recently been conducted resulting in this lamentable decision. Not only are these degree programmes rated very highly in NSS scores and in Best University Guides (e.g. the Times and Guardian versions), but this decision further shifts provision of language degrees towards pre-92 universities, reducing student choice of destinations.
Read UCML's letter to Northumbria University senior management.
Read more...
2 September 2015 (THE)
Ulster University has confirmed the closure of its school of modern languages while identifying another four subject areas for “rationalisation”.
[..] Robin Swann, an Ulster Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the chair of its employment and learning committee, said that the closure of the modern languages department would be particularly damaging.
Read more...
11 August 2015 (Evening Times)
A SCOTS university is hoping to increase its involvement with China and its higher education institutions.
University of the West of Scotland has formed a partnership with Young Chinese Professionals Scotland which unites and promotes young Chinese in the living and working in the country.
The new agreement will also result in the university increasing its China-related research and cultural activities.
Read more...
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...
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...
Funding for Japanese Language Education Projects held in the UK
3 June 2015 (Japan Foundation)
Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which will have a significant and wide impact on the promotion of Japanese language education throughout the UK, or in their local area. For example, conferences on Japanese language education, seminars for teachers, projects to produce Japanese language teaching materials, etc. We also welcome projects that introduce Japanese into the curriculum, or bring it into the timetable at Schools or Universities. Priority is given to the following:
- Projects with a wide impact on Japanese language education
Up to £3,000 for projects that contribute widely to the maintenance and strengthening of Japanese language education, e.g. conferences on Japanese language education, seminars for teachers, projects to produce Japanese language teaching materials, projects by organisations working in partnership, which benefit not only the institution applying for the programme, but which have a beneficial effect on others. - Introducing Japanese to schools or universities
- Up to £3,000 for projects that promote the introduction of Japanese into the curriculum (or onto the main school timetable) at primary and secondary schools. Or projects that support the introduction of Japanese language classes at university - as part of our Primary Japanese Campaign, primary schools that would like to introduce Japanese as their main language in the new Key Stage 2 curriculum will be able to maintain their project by re-applying for funding twice for the same project. This means primary schools will be able to apply for up to a total of £9,000 over three years
- Up to £1,000 for projects in primary or secondary schools that introduce Japanese as an extra-curricular activity or enrichment subject, even if this is not within the school timetable. These activities must continue for at least a year to qualify for the grant
The next application deadline for the 2015-16 programme is 19 June 2015.
Further information and how to apply is available on the attached flyer.
12 May 2015 (British Academy)
The British Academy has launched its call for evidence for a new project on interdisciplinarity in research and higher education.
The call for evidence will ask individual academics, university management, funders and publishers about their experiences of engaging with interdisciplinarity, the success stories and the challenges.
The project will investigate:
- how interdisciplinary research is carried out
- the demand for interdisciplinary research and research skills
- how academics can forge interdisciplinary careers
- whether the right structures are in place to support interdisciplinarity across the research and higher education system
While the focus is on research, it will also investigate the relation between interdisciplinarity in teaching and research, from the undergraduate level up. And while the focus is on universities, the project will be concerned with the relation between interdisciplinarity in universities and in the wider economy.
The deadline for submitting evidence is 26 June 2015. See the British Academy website for more information.
Read more...
8 May 2015 (TES)
The furore around the announcement by some exam boards that they will no longer provide GCSEs and/or A-levels in ‘lesser-taught’ languages such as Turkish, Polish, Urdu and Gujarati begs some big questions. Given that the boards are a mixture of not-for-profits and commercial organisations, it is clear this is not simply a matter of money. The challenges are systemic and the root causes are a mixture of cultural attitudes, failed infrastructures and policy failures over many years.
Formal education has seen an overall decline in the study of traditionally taught foreign languages – French, German, etc – while the study of lesser-taught and community languages has failed to grow.
Any rational analysis of trends in school language education reveals that all languages, apart from English, are in danger of becoming ‘lesser taught’. The number of A-levels awarded in all available languages in 2011 was 40,685 and by the summer of 2014 it was 32,680. Many languages departments in universities are facing a real threat of extinction. Unless something is done soon to correct this we will wake up one morning to learn that GCSE French and German are also for the chop.
Read more...
7 May 2015 (THE)
Rector at Maastricht University fears that curbs on using English are preventing some institutions from innovating and internationalising.
[..]Professor Soete added that English has become the common language for research. However, all foreign students at Maastricht can also take an optional Dutch language course, alongside their main subject, as part of a target to encourage 22 per cent of them to stay in the Netherlands region after graduating. About 85 per cent of all foreign students now take basic Dutch lessons.
“If a French-speaking student studies in Belgium, they will leave their degree unilingual which means it will be difficult for them to get a job in Belgium itself,” he said.
“But if they go to Maastricht they can become a perfect English speaker, still hold on to their native language and learn Dutch by integrating with the community. That’s why we’re seeing a significant increase in the number of French-speaking students. Other Dutch universities are moving in the same direction.”
Read more...
29 April 2015 (The Guardian)
The top 100 universities in the world for modern languages, as ranked by higher education data specialists QS. Oxford and Cambridge top the rankings, with the University of Edinburgh reaching 26th in the listing.
The University of Edinburgh also came 3rd in the listing for linguistics.
Read more...
13 March 2015 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running semi-intensive revision courses between Monday 13 and Friday 17 April for Secondary School pupils and University students who are due to sit their French examinations later this year. Enrol by 2 April 2015.
Full details can be found on the Alliance Française website.
Read more...
6 March 2015 (SCILT / University of Strathclyde)
In order to support the Government’s commitment to the 1+2 language policy the Cabinet Secretary for Education has asked the Scottish Funding Council “to consider the relevant recommendations in the SG Language Working Group Report and develop with the sector a strategy for growing the number of graduates with practical language skills”. You can read the full Letter of Guidance for 2015-16.
Our joint SCILT/UCMLS event on 6 May will give you the opportunity to make your views known and help shape the development of the strategy. For more information and to sign up for this event, visit the website.
Read more...
2 March 2015 (UCML/AULC)
Each year the Association of University Language Centres in the UK and Ireland conduct a survey to explore the take up of Institution-Wide Language Programmes (for credit and not for credit) in UK universities.
UCML co-publishes this report with AULC and support from the Higher Education Academy. The report from this year's survey (conducted in autumn 2014) is now published.
It includes analysis of various trends (by language, by balance of credit and not etc) across the sector.
It is clear from this report that the trend continues to be for increasing demand for language learning in HE alongside the study of other disciplines.
Read more...
19 February 2015 (The Conversation)
Out of nearly half a million students who enrolled on a degree course in the UK last year, just over 8,000 of them studied a foreign language. New figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) have crystallised the difficult situation facing university language departments across the country. Only one in every 65 first-year students chooses a modern foreign language degree, showing a decline from one in every 48 in 2007.
Most university subjects are recovering from the recruitment crash of 2012-13, the first year that universities could charge fees up to £9,000 – and some subjects are showing steady numbers of enrolments. Since 2007, the numbers of students starting degree courses in subjects allied to medicine have risen a meteoric 39% and there has been a 30% increase in biological sciences. The figures are no less impressive for the mathematical sciences and business administration, both with a 24% increase.
But this is not the case for modern foreign languages where there is little sign of post-fees recovery.
Read more...
10th LLAS elearning Symposium 2015
9 February 2015 (LLAS)
22-23rd January, saw the 10th LLAS elearning symposium taking place at the University of Southampton. Over two fantastic days, language teachers came together from across the UK and the world to share their experiences using technology in teaching and learning. There were inspiring and informative keynote talks from: Sara Pierson and Chris Cavey from the British Council, Marion Sadoux from the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, and Benoit Guilbaud, from the University of Manchester. You can watch their presentations again.
LLAS also had speakers talking about a range of topics from mobile learning, to Twitter for Italian, online interpreting, screencasting for pronunciation, open educational practice, e-portfolios, blended tandem learning, MOOCs and much more. LLAS recorded most of the sessions and you can see the recordings.
LLAS marked the occasion with the publication of a free, open access ebook, which is an edited collection of case studies and reflective pieces which showcase good practice in the use of technology for language teaching and learning. The book is an inspiring snapshot of good practice and contributions came from practitioners across the world, many of whom attended the symposium itself as speakers. Download the book.
23 January 2015 (CRCC Asia – British Council)
CRCC Asia are delighted to offer two *funded China Internship Programs with the British Council, specifically for students with a disability.
The successful candidates will undertake a business placement at the British Council, in Beijing and Shanghai, and obtain first hand experience of China’s business and cultural environments.
They will be required to complete the two-month China Internship Program during May-November 2015.
The program is open to university students with a disability, and all eligible candidates from any academic discipline are welcome to apply.
Read more...
23 January 2015 (UCML)
A summary of the current state of languages in HE in universities across UK. A report on the basis of a survey of contact hours, credit loads and progression routes through the main 'European' languages taught within named degree programmes.
Download from right hand column through the link below.
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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.
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11 December 2014 (Times Higher Education)
A deep understanding of foreign languages is often essential to the combination of cajolery and seduction many companies require in their international negotiators.
That was the argument of Richard Hardie, chair of investment bank UBS, at a Westminster Higher Education Forum seminar on “Priorities for foreign language learning: participation, resources and progression” last week.
Read more...
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
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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...
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...
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.
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8 July 2014 (LLAS)
Presentations from the LLAS Conference, 'Reshaping Languages in Higher Education' (9-10 July 2014) are now available from the LLAS website.
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14 July 2014 (THE)
Universities have a crucial role to play in “a national recovery programme” to improve the level of Britain’s linguistic skills.
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Related Links
Open letter from UCML (UCML website, 14 July 2014)
12 June 2014 (THE)
Modern languages departments and scholars should look at how Classics has reinvented itself since the 1980s in order to boost its appeal to undergraduates, a scholar has argued.
It success was reflected, noted Roderick Beaton, Koraes professor of modern Greek and Byzantine history, language and culture at King’s College London, in “a large enough undergraduate cohort in over 20 higher education institutions to sustain a robust and internationally envied research culture”.
His argument was among many at a debate held at the British Academy on 27 May on the study of languages in the UK, which discussed the dramatic decline of modern languages in the nation’s higher education sector, the implications for employment and security, and strategies for reversing the trend.
Read more...
2 June 2014 (Language Show Live / Speak to the Future)
Strictly 1,000 Words is a national competition for language learners in schools, universities and language enthusiasts everywhere to produce a short video containing no more than 1,000 words in another language. Videos must be no more than 2 minutes long and contain up to 1,000 words in another language.
See the website for entry criteria. Deadline for applications is 11 July 2014.
Read more...
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.
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6 May 2014 (The Guardian)
A student blogger shares his experience of picking up a language and getting to grips with a different culture.
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1 May 2014 (SCILT)
Creativity, research and languages proved a great combination again last month in the 2nd annual ‘Exhibition of Third-year Students’ Research Projects in French, Italian & Spanish’ from the School of Humanities at University of Strathclyde. Groups of third-year students were given 'carte blanche' to research any aspect of life or identity in a country where the target language is spoken. Investigations ranged from art to women’s suffrage by way of gypsy culture, fashion, independence and music.
Led by lecturers Caroline Verdier and Lidia Acosta, the research challenge also features in two new SCILT blogs. Secondary learners considering studying Italian, Spanish or French at university might want to check out this student blog which details one of the groups’ process and learning in the course of their research project, or this poster blog showcasing the research posters in all three languages.
Information on both this year's and last year's Third Year Languages Research Projects can also be found on SCILT's 'Beyond School' section of the website.
Read more...
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...
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...
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.
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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...
Related Links
Erasmus+ launches across Europe (The Pie News, 30 April 2014)
1 April 2014 (Linguist)
Nick Byrne on the increase in non-specialist language provision.
Next year, I will have worked as a language provider in the Higher Education sector for a quarter of a century. For the last ten years, in particular, I have monitored the rise in non-specialist language provision for the Association of University Language Centres (AULC), the Departments of Education and Business, Hefce (the Higher Education Fudning Council for England) and the European Commission.
Read more...
25 March 2014 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
Three Edinburgh students and their tutor took top places at the UK wide `Chinese Bridge` competition for university students on Saturday March 22.
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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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21 March 2014 (Times Higher Education)
Graham Turner at Heriot-Watt raises awareness for Sign Language Week.
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26 February 2014 (The Herald)
Edinburgh University has outperformed rival institutions in Scotland in a new higher education league table. The university came in the top five in the UK in 10 out of 30 subject disciplines - far more than any other Scottish institution.
Edinburgh University came top in the country for linguistics, beating both Oxford and Cambridge to the top spot. The university came 12th for Modern Languages.
Read more...
Related Links
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2014 - Modern Languages (Top Universities, 26 February 2014) University of Edinburgh is 12th in the list.
25 February 2014 (The Guardian)
University performance data for modern languages and linguistics in our sortable table.
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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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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...
18 February 2014 (Routes into Languages Cymru)
This new set of resources, authored by the Careers Department at Cardiff University and in partnership with Routes into Languages Cymru, includes a Sample Languages CV Format and a Cronological CV which will show how those studying languages or those who have language skills can present their skills and experiences in the most effective way possible. With a greater call for ‘global graduates’ the resources also include Tips for the Year Abroad for Language Students which will give ideas on how to make the best of time spent abroad and to continue to build on the CV whilst studying.
Read more...
14 February 2014 (The Conversation)
The drop in applications to European language programmes at UK universities will not have come as a great shock to anybody teaching languages. For at least the past 15 years, the number of students applying for modern language degrees has been in decline.
Read more...
11 February 2014 (UCML)
The report from the annual survey of Institution Wide Language Programme take-up in UK universities has now been published. The responses indicate an increase in numbers of students enrolled on such programmes nationally, even taking into account a slight increase in the number of universities responding this year.
Read more...
4 February 2014 (SCILT)
Along with her Spanish and Italian colleagues, Caroline Verdier, Teaching Fellow in French at the University of Strathclyde, challenged 3rd Year students to work in groups on a research project. The groups had 'carte blanche' to research any aspect of life or identity in a country where the target language is spoken. Subjects included independence movements in Spain and Scotland, the representation of Ancient Rome in cinema and on television and the status of Paris in the world of fashion. There were also some case studies about businesses such as of Renault, Zara and Veuve Cliquot.
Information about the rationale, the research process and the findings were distilled and displayed in a poster. The posters were very creative, many were interactive and had 3D elements. An exhibition to showcase all the posters took place in the McCance Conservatory in April 2013. During Spring 2014, posters and abstracts from this year’s 3rd Year students will be added to the blog.
This blog would be a good tool to support pupils involved in research for the IP strand of the Languages Baccalaureate.
Read more...
4 February 2014 (Guardian)
The number of jobs available for graduates is predicted to rise by 10.2%, according to a survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters. Good news for students – but when you come to apply for your first job after university, are you sure you'll have the relevant skills for the post?
[...] "If you speak another language then make sure it's clearly displayed on your CV," says Curtis. "We really like bilingual candidates as they usually interview really well. But quite often their CV doesn't do them justice. 'Business fluent French' looks much better than just 'French A-level at grade A' as it offers a company more." Be careful though. "If you haven't had much practice with your languages make sure you scrub up before sending out a CV that implies you can hold your own."
Read more...
1 February 2014 (Guardian - The case for languages learning series)
In Northamptonshire police officers learn Polish, the ancient art of whistling lives on in Turkey and Disney is accused of ignoring African languages.
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31 January 2014 (Guardian)
Ucas figures showing falling applications for modern language degrees pose a real problem for Britain.
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Related Links
- University applications hit record high (Guardian, 31 January 2014)
[...] The number of applicants for European language courses fell by 5%, from 20,350 last year to 19,300. Applications for engineering are up from 127,000 to 141,000, and for computer science from 86,300 to 97,000. Wendy Piatt, director of the Russell Group of research universities, said: "We are worried by the continuing drop in applicants for both European and non-European languages. We need language graduates to meet the needs of our economy and society."
30 January 2014 (Alliance Française)
Improve your translating skills at the Alliance Française!
From Wednesday 19th February, we will be running a new translation course specifically designed for students who are studying French at University. This course will increase your language skills and should greatly help prepare for exams where translation is involved (version & thème).
This new course will take place on Wednesdays between 3.45-5.45pm and is due to start on
Wednesday 19th February for 5 weeks.
The cost to enrol is £60 per student.
Please visit or contact the Language Office before Wednesday 12th February if you wish to enrol. Places are strictly limited and cannot be reserved until payment has been received.
Visit the Alliance Française website for further information and to download the enrolment form.
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29 January 2014 (Japan Foundation)
The criteria of the Japan Foundation’s Local Project Support Programme has changed for 2014-2015. If your school is considering introducing Japanese, you might be able to take advantage of this funding programme.
Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which will have a significant and wide impact on the promotion of Japanese language education throughout the UK, or in their local area. Priority is given to the following:
- Projects with a wide impact on Japanese language education - up to £3,000 for projects that contribute widely to the maintenance and strengthening of Japanese language education, eg conferences on Japanese language education, seminars for teachers, projects to produce Japanese language teaching materials, projects by organisations working in partnership, which benefit not only the institution applying for the programme, but which have a beneficial effect on others etc.
- Introducing Japanese to schools or universities:
- Up to £3,000 for projects that promote the introduction of Japanese into the curriculum (or onto the main school timetable) at primary and secondary schools. Or projects that support the introduction of Japanese language classes at university.
As part of our Primary Japanese Campaign, primary schools that would like to introduce Japanese as their main language in the new Key Stage 2 curriculum from September 2014, will be able to maintain their project by re-applying for funding twice for the same project. This means primary schools will be able to apply for up to a total of £9,000 over three years. - Up to £1,000 for projects in primary or secondary schools that introduce Japanese as an extra-curricular activity or enrichment subject, even if this is not within the school timetable. These activities must continue for at least a year to qualify for the grant.
There will be four application deadlines for the 2014-15 programme: April 1st 2014, June 20th 2014, September 26th 2014 and November 28th 2014. This funding will last until March 2015.
For further information about the programme and the application process, visit the Japan Foundation website.
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20 January 2014 (Confucius Institute for Scotland)
The spring programme for the China Lecture Series 2013-14 at the Confucius Institute for Scotland has been published.
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18 January 2014 (Russian Teachers’ Group UK (RTG))
Students learning Russian in schools, colleges and universities in the UK, as well as heritage learners from Russian-speaking families and adult learners, are invited to take part in the 7th National Russian Essay Competition. This is a high-profile event which will give your students a chance to win great prizes including cash (1st prize - £100) and see their essays published on-line! It is a great opportunity for students to be creative, compete nationwide with their peers and raise the profile of Russian. The deadline for submitting entries is 11 March 2014. Judges will review the entries in March and April, and winners will be announced by 30 April 2014.
Read more...
9 January 2014 (The Guardian)
Student Francesca Ebel reflects on her freshers' term of studying Russian at degree level, without having studied the language at A-level.
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7 January 2014 (SCILT/University of Strathclyde)
Are you planning a languages event in your school? Do you need some help promoting language learning to your students? Why not arrange a visit from one of the student Languages Ambassadors from Strathclyde University's award-winning programme?
The Languages Ambassadors Programme is designed to provide support to schools by sending teams of two or three students to deliver a range of activities such as:
- A general presentation by students about their experiences as language learners
- Practical workshops or class-based activities focussing on fun language development
- Q&A sessions about the benefits of studying a foreign language
As role models the Ambassadors will share their experiences and their successes, and they will also be honest about the challenges they have faced studying a foreign language.
Visit the Languages Ambassadors webpage to find out more and, if you would like to participate in the programme, please contact Cedric Moreau, Senior Language Teaching Fellow:
cedric.moreau@strath.ac.uk
Read more...
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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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.
Read more...
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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2 December 2013 (The Telegraph)
It all started with one email in my first year of university: it was the ‘Internationalisation and Study Overseas’ in the subject line that piqued my interest. Studying abroad was one of the main reasons I considered attending university, but as I'm studying History, I always believed that the options would be limited to Europe.
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19 November 2013 (European Commission)
The European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen invite young people from all the EU member states to participate in a competition on EU development, integration and European identity issues.
The 'European Charlemagne Youth Prize' is awarded to projects, which:
- promote European and international understanding
- foster the development of a shared sense of European identity and integration
- serve as a role model for young people living in Europe and offer practical examples of Europeans living together as one community
The projects can focus on the organisation of various youth events, youth exchanges or online projects with a European dimension.
Submissions for 2014 are now invited. Applicants should be 16-30 years of age and should apply by 20 January 2014. Entries in all official languages of the EU are eligible. Visit the website for full details.
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15 November 2013 (Cherwell - Oxford University)
UK universities are witnessing a startling decline in the number of students studying modern foreign languages, recent government statistics show.
The figures, compiled by UCAS, indicate an overall drop of between 12 and 14 percent in the number of students accepted to study modern foreign languages at British universities between the 2011 and 2012 admissions cycles.
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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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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...
10 October 2013 (Speak to the Future)
We’re highlighting inspiring projects happening across the country which are promoting languages to the wider public – showing those in the languages community what you could do, and helping to give those outside an insight into the value of languages and language learning.
There are a host of projects and websites covering a number of languages for all ages – take a look and see what will inspire you.
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News from language & education organisations
9 October 2013 (The Guardian)
Over the last few days, a Guardian investigation has revealed that modern foreign language departments are closing at an alarming rate. Here's a summary of the key facts.
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7 October 2013 (The Guardian)
More than a third of UK universities have given up offering specialist modern European language degrees over the past 15 years, the Guardian has found, as leading academics argue harsh marking at A-level is putting teenagers off studying the subject at school.
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26 September 2013 (BBC News)
The Russell Group has been asked to produce research on what subjects teenagers need to get in to their universities, after a study cast doubt on so-called "preferred subjects".
The Russell Group's advice is in a document called Informed Choices which lists "facilitating subjects", saying they are sometimes "required more than others".
The subjects are maths, further maths, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history and languages.
Read more...
24 September 2013 (British Academy)
The British Academy has today announced the winners of the 2013 round of its Schools Language Awards. Schools and colleges – or institutions supporting them – were asked to submit proposals for increasing the numbers of students learning languages at higher levels.
Congratulations to Glasgow’s Polish School, the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow City Council schools who all won awards. Visit the British Academy website for full details.
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20 September 2013 (The Herald)
Greater protection is to be given to threatened language teaching at Scottish universities.
Any institution that wants to cut languages in future will have to alert funding bosses before any decision is made.
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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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9 September 2013 (Japan Foundation)
Institutions can apply for up to 3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which will have a significant and wide impact on the promotion of Japanese language education throughout the UK, or in their local area. For example, conferences on Japanese language education, seminars for teachers, projects to produce Japanese language teaching materials, etc. We also welcome projects that introduce Japanese into the curriculum, or bring it into the timetable at Schools or Universities.
The next deadline for the 2013-14 programme is 27 September 2013.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information and to apply.
You may also wish to join their Primary Japanese Campaign 2014, which has been launched to support primary schools and teachers offering, or hoping to offer, Japanese language teaching.
You can read more about the campaign, and register to receive campaign updates and free, exclusive campaign stickers by following the link below.
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6 September 2013 (THE)
The Russell Group will only need to revamp two A-level subject areas after a review said just minor changes were needed to most qualifications.
An initial group established by the exam regulator Ofqual and chaired by Professor Smith, which included the input of many academics from the Russell Group, the 1994 Group and other “high-tariff universities” has found that only maths and languages require major changes.
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29 August 2013 (THE Letters)
Your editorial
“A timely look under the bonnet” (22 August) is right to draw attention to the issue of language degrees, but one of the figures was inaccurate. As of 23 August, the number of students starting a language degree was not down by 13 per cent but by less than 0.5 per cent.
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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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25 August 2013 (The Observer)
The reported decline of language teaching in higher education is very worrying. Universities need to think creatively about language provision in their institutions.
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19 August 2013 (British Council)
The British Council administers the distribution of grant funding from the Lefèvre Trust and grants are now available to secondary schools embarking on projects in 2013. These programmes support collaboration between the UK and France on educational opportunities that prepare young people to become global citizens.
Please note the deadline for applications has changed: final closing deadline is 30 September 2013.
Visit the British Council website for a guide to the programme and to download a grant application form.
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19 August 2013 (Language Rich Europe blog)
Language Rich Europe research provides a rich source of cross-national insights into multilingualism across the education sectors. You can browse all of the national/ regional profiles or simply focus on further and higher education by reading on.
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17 August 2013 (The Guardian)
As many as 40% of university language departments are likely to close within a decade, the former government adviser charged with bolstering foreign language uptake in higher education has warned, delivering a huge blow to the UK's diplomatic and economic hopes.
Amid a deepening crisis in language learning – which is causing alarm at the highest levels of government – the number of universities offering degrees in modern languages has already plunged from 105 in 2000 to 62 at the start of this academic year.
Read more...
7 August 2013 (The Guardian)
Studying a new language at degree level is challenging, but many universities allow students to do so.
Students applying to study courses such as Mandarin and business or tourism management with Spanish are not expected to have prior experience of speaking their chosen languages.
But the dedication is likely to impress employers, acccording to Vince Peart, an adviser at the National Careers Service. "Employers recognise that languages require a lot of discipline, which is a highly valued quality."
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2 August 2013 (The Independent)
“Parlez-vous français?” The answer, according to new data from the Higher Education Funding council for England (HEFCE), is no.
The number of students accepting university places to study modern languages has fallen by 12 per cent overall, with French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Scandinavian Studies among the hardest hit.
Read more...
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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23 July 2013 (THE)
The proportion of 18 year olds applying for non-European language degrees has fallen by more than a third in three years, according to new research.
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25 June 2013 (PRWeb)
The University of the Highlands & Islands [UHI] this month hosted a lecture in Stornoway entitled “Gaelic in Education.” The keynote speakers were Mr. Iain Macmillan, Principal of Lews Castle College UHI and Dr. Frances Murray, Rector of the Nicolson Institute. The event was chaired by Mr. Matthew Maciver Chair of the UHI Court and retired Chief Executive of the GTC in Scotland.
Mr. Maciver introduced the lecture by stating that UHI was hosting the lecture in Stornoway to highlight the Gaelic Medium Higher Education courses which the university offers and that UHI had now been accredited to deliver a new Post Graduate Primary Teaching course in English and Gaelic.
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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.
Read more...
Related Links
Degree year abroad: the best year of my life? Hardly (The Telegraph, 7 June 2013) The opportunity for a year abroad on degree courses is often described as "the best year of your life". Language student Lottie Fisher, back home from Buenos Aires and Naples, isn't so sure.
Discussion thread on 'degree year abroad' (Third Year Abroad, 7 June 2013)
Loving life in Lauf: All you need to know about teaching in a small town 5 June 2013 (Third Year Abroad)
Taking a year abroad when not a language student (University of Leeds Careers Centre Blog, 29 May 2013)
6 June 2013 (SCILT/British Academy)
As part of its programme to support and champion the learning of languages, the British Academy is again offering a series of Awards to schools and colleges throughout the UK for the encouragement of excellence in language learning. This year the Awards focus on activity which encourages more students to take language learning to a higher level.
The Awards are intended to encourage schools to find imaginative and effective ways of improving take up and enthusiasm for language learning into S5, S6 and beyond, and of addressing the social imbalance in the profile of language learners at higher levels. Projects which involve collaboration between sectors (e.g. between schools/colleges/universities, with business or employers) are particularly welcomed.
The Awards are open to all secondary schools and colleges, and cover all languages other than English, including those learnt as community languages. A total of 15 Awards of £4000 each will be made to schools throughout the UK. At least one Award will go to a winning proposal from Scotland.
Application is via a simple online form, with an extended closing date of 30 June 2013.
Visit the British Academy website to download the complete information pack and apply now!
Read more...
4 June 2013 (The Scotsman)
Representatives of the Spanish Ministry of Education are to visit Dundee University tomorrow to sign a new collaboration agreement to strengthen existing links between the institution and Spain.
Liborio López García, the Spanish Counsellor of Education in London, and Joaquín Moreno Artesero, an Edinburgh-based Education Adviser to Spain, will meet Professor David Finkelstein, Dean of the School of Humanities, to sign the new agreement.
A university spokesman explained: “The agreement will see the Ministry promote the university’s programmes in Spain and throughout the UK, as well as supporting public engagement activities and existing Spanish language classes, workshops and other services.
Read more...
4 June 2013 (The Guardian)
The table includes French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portugese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, south Asian, African, Australasian, modern Middle Eastern languages, literature and linguistics.
Read more...
15 May 2013 (Consejería de Educación)
Why not have a look at our latest pack of TECLA teaching materials? The topics are as follows:
- Level A (Basic) El día de la madre. Mother’s Day in Spain
- Level B (Intermediate) El 1º de mayo. El día del trabajo. International Workers’ Day
- Level C (Advanced) Los Mayos. An Ancient Tradition Celebrating the Arrival of Springtime
TECLA is a collection of teaching material for teaching Spanish to adults and young adults. It deals with socio-cultural aspects of today’s Spanish speaking world. The learning units comprise of a reading comprehension part and a language section (vocabulary, grammar, discourse). A recording of the text is also available for pronunciation and listening comprehension work.
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14 May 2013 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
Open to both University teams and existing businesses, the 2013 China UK Entrepreneurship Competition, which has a registration deadline of 27 May offers potential insights, contacts, prize money and investment.
Read more...
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...
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...
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...
12 April 2013 (The Telegraph)
The only language to appear on this list is, perhaps surprisingly, French.
But the subject has enjoyed the lowest unemployment of any modern language both prior to the recession (6.5 per cent) and since (9.7).
Languages also feature in the Top 10 subjects for achieving a 'first'.
Read more...
11 April 2013 (Routes into Languages)
Routes into Languages West Midlands in conjunction with Stone’s Throw Media have produced a new DVD entitled “The Only Way is Languages!” The aim of this DVD is to inspire young people to study languages at school, college and university and to get them thinking of the different kind of careers they could go into with their language skills. They may think that teaching and interpreting are the only options but we can show them many different careers! We have six case studies of real life examples of people using their language skills in the workplace.
Read more...
21 March 2013 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running semi-intensive revision courses in French between Monday 8th and Friday 12th April for Standard Grade, Higher and Advanced Higher pupils as well as University students who are sitting their French examinations later this year.
For more details and to enrol, visit the Alliance Française website.
The Institut Français in Edinburgh will also be running revision courses for Standard Grade, Higher and Advanced Higher students during April and May. Follow the link below to their website for further information.
Read more...
18 March 2013 (British Council)
The British Council administers the distribution of grant funding from the Lefèvre Trust and Charles de Gaulle Trust and grants are now available to secondary schools embarking on projects in 2013. These programmes support collaboration between the UK and France on educational opportunities that prepare young people to become global citizens.
A case study of Portlethen Academy in Aberdeen demonstrates what can be achieved through partnership working. Here their international work has evolved from a simple pen pal project in one class 25 years ago, into an exciting programme of projects, visits and international connections which permeate the whole curriculum and involve the majority of pupils across all year groups.
See the guide to the programme on the British Council website for more details and to download a grant application form.
Read more...
18 March 2013 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
Three fourth year undergrads from the University of Edinburgh swept the boards at the 12th annual `Chinese Bridge` language competition with Meghan Ghent being awarded First Prize, Edijana Obiakpani-Guest receiving 3rd prize and Anitra Williams being awarded best speaker.
Read more...
Related Links
"Chinese Bridge" Starts in UK (CRI, 18 March 2013)
15 March 2013 (SCILT)
Applications are now open for the 2013 European Language Label, and schools from across the UK are invited to apply.
This year’s theme is ‘Innovation in Language Teaching and Learning’, and the Award is open to schools in the Primary and Secondary sector, as well as FE and HE institutions. This award is a great opportunity for the innovative work being done in languages in Scotland to be recognised across the UK and Europe.
The European Language Label (ELL) is an award for innovative language-learning projects. It rewards creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate learners and make the best of available resources. Winning projects may use European Language Label on stationery and websites and, in addition, all winners receive prizes of books, vouchers or teaching materials from the Award sponsors. The awards are presented at a prize-giving ceremony on European Day of Languages, 26th September.
For more information, including the online application form, please visit the ELL website or contact idjouadj@cfbt.com. For inspiration, follow the link below to see some of the previous winning projects.
The application deadline is Sunday 21 April 2013.
Previous winners from Scotland have included St Roch’s Secondary School in Glasgow in 2011 and Mid Calder Primary in 2009.
Read more...
4 March 2013 (Lexiophiles)
After spending countless hours on trying to understand grammar structures, memorizing long vocabulary lists, learning idioms and struggling with pronunciation, you have finally reached your goal: fluency! It’s been a long way and you’ve worked hard to get here. The question is, now that you've mastered a new language, what are you going to do with it?
Read more...
13 February 2013 (The Guardian)
Is global higher education dominated by one language and, if so, what are the implications for growth, from research to recruitment? Join us 15 February 12-2pm GMT.
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13 February 2013 (Third Year Abroad)
As a business which works with year abroad students, we are constantly hearing stories about how important the year abroad and foreign language skills are for your graduate career prospects. It's when employers start talking about "the lack of linguistic graduates in the UK" that it gets really interesting. You are a linguistic graduate! You are a valuable commodity! You need to understand that with a grasp of a foreign language or an inside knowledge of another culture, you are in a position to approach employers speculatively and offer your services to help them develop new business in those geographical areas.
Read more...
7 February 2013 (Goethe-Institute)
The Glasgow Film Festival 2013 is about to start. We are particularly pleased about the wide range of contributions from Germany to the sections cinema, music and education projects, supported by the Goethe-Institut Glasgow for this year’s programme:
- Kaddish for a Friend (age 12+) - Tuesday 12 February, 12:45, Glasgow Film Theatre
94 mins, German with English subtitles. - Mercy (Gnade) (age 12+) - Monday 18 February, 20:30 / Tuesday 19 February, 13:15, Cineworld
131 mins, German, Norwegian & English with English subtitles. - Reported Missing (age 12+) - Wednesday 20 February, 19:00 / Thursday 21 February, 15:45, Cineworld
86 mins, German with English subtitles.
Further information is available from the Goethe-Institut Glasgow Filmpages.
We also would like to draw your attention to German-language films featured in this year’s festival programme:
- Wickie and the Treasure of the Gods (age 8+) - Sat 9 February, 13:30, GFT,
- Lore (age 15) - Fri 15 February, 18:00, GFT/ Sat 16 February, 19:00, Cineworld
- Cloud Atlas (age 15) - Sun 17 February, 19:15, GFT & Mon 18 February 13:15, GFT
- Kuma (age 15+) - Mon 18 February, 18:45, Cineworld / Tue 19 February, 13:45, Cineworld
- Museum Hours (age 12+) - Fri 22 February, 18:00, GFT / Sun 24 February, 12:45, Cineworld
Further information is available from the Glasgow Film Festival website.
Read more...
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...
6 February 2013 (Goethe-Institut)
The new spring/summer semester at the Goethe-Institut Glasgow will start on 11 February. If you are interested in enrolling in one of our courses, please contact us as soon as possible. If you are unsure about the level or suitable class we will advise further.
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30 January 2013 (The Guardian)
The number of applicants to UK universities has risen by 3.5%.
Computer sciences had the highest increase in total applications (up by 12.3% at the same point last year). It seems social sciences, arts and languages are feeling the biggest decreases.
Read more...
29 January 2013 (European Parliament)
"The European Charlemagne Youth Prize" aims to encourage the development of European consciousness among young people, as well as their participation in European integration projects.
The Prize is awarded to projects undertaken by young people which foster understanding, promote the development of a shared sense of European identity, and offer practical examples of Europeans living together as one community.
For further information about the competition and to apply, visit the website. Submission deadline now extended to 18 February 2013.
Read more...
28 January 2013 (The Guardian)
For institutions that value student experience and its impact on employability in a global market, internationalisation means more than overseas recruitment.
... This also means that providers should think twice before reducing language provision. Students able to speak different languages and understand different cultures will continue to be in demand and will find it easier to do business with those who don't speak English.
Read more...
25 January 2013 (The Language Box)
This resource documents the evolution of an in-studio project at Swansea University, in the department of Languages, Translation & Communication. Students had to prepare a presentation on a current or cultural issue in the target language (French), read their presentation in the studio from a teleprompter, and then answer questions from the student panel and from the floor where their classmates sat during filming.
Read more...
25 January 2013 (The Independent)
Thinking of spending your university placement outside of Europe? Take up the challenge and venture further afield; there's a whole world to be found out there.
Read more...
17 January 2013 (Goethe-Institut)
For full details of all the language courses and examinations available at the Goethe-Institut in Glasgow for Spring/Summer 2013 visit the website, or view the information pages below.
Read more...
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17 January 2013 (Goethe-Institut)
In today's professional world, knowledge of foreign languages is an indispensable skill and a must-have on any resume. Still, studies show that while good foreign language skills play an increasingly important role in the workplace, every situation is different.
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15 January 2013 (The Independent)
It seems as if languages are not a popular choice of course at university nowadays. Once upon a time, learning a language and studying its literature was considered a solid choice of degree, but now there's a perception that they might be a bit of a waste of time.
Read more...
Modern Languages Newsletter – January 2013
14 January 2013 (Glasgow City Council)
To read about all the latest language events and activities within Glasgow schools, download the January newsletter.
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10 January 2013 (STV News)
Children as young as nine will be taught three languages amid rising immigration, tourism and increasing demand for workers that speak more than just English, MSPs have heard.
The Scottish Government has set aside £4m for a pilot project to ensure Scotland's economy does not suffer as a result of its citizens' relatively poor language skills.
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10 January 2013 (Alliance française)
The GFT Player offers specially curated films at home and on the move. Programmed alongside the cinema schedule, the player offers an exciting and unique range of films, including French comedy 'The Women on the 6th Floor.'
Selected films screen simultaneously online and in the cinema, and you can also catch up with films you may have missed at GFT, and take advantage of Player-only exclusive content.
Please visit the website for more details.
Read more...
9 January 2013 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
Due to high demand we have now arranged an additional beginners Chinese class on Thursday evenings starting from 14 January for ten weeks.
This class is suitable for absolute beginners and over the course of the term students will learn the basics of Chinese pronunciation, practice basic conversations and be taught Pinyin.
Read more...
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...
Related Links
Support for Scottish students in Europe (Scottish Parliament, 9 January 2013)
Scotland-Russia Forum news
9 January 2013 (SRF)
The latest round-up of news and events from the SRF is now available to download.
This edition includes a request from a casting agency seeking Russian-speaking actors, including children/teens, for a film to be shot in the UK between March and July 2013.
If you need to brush up on your Russian first, the next Чай н Чат (tea and chat) at the Scotland-Russia Institute in Edinburgh is on 31 January.
“Take Away China 2013”
8 January 2013 (Ricefield Arts Centre)
James Thomson, director of Ricefield Arts Centre, would like to offer an opportunity to schools to take part in the launch of “Take Away China 2013” on 12 February, the beginning of the Year of the Snake. This is the third year of “Take Away China” – the notion being to take a small part of China away with you from each event. Schools are invited to participate in forming a long snake. The idea is to form a snake made of twenty willow lantern sections with each section being supported by 4 or 6 pupils from each school or hub. Download the attached file for more information.
If you feel your hub or school might be interested in this opportunity, please contact jamesthomson188@btinternet.com
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8 January 2013 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Times Stephen Spender Prize for poetry translation 2013 has been launched. Entrants should translate a poem from any language, classical or modern, into English to enter this competition. Winning entries will be published in a booklet and cash prizes will be awarded. The closing date for entries is Friday 24th May 2013.
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7 January 2013 (Language Box)
The why study languages calendar has been produced by LLAS Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies and includes a variety of languages, beginning in January with Italian. This is the first of a 12-month series lasting until December 2013. The calendar can be downloaded or printable versions can be ordered.
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6 January 2013 (Daily Record)
Football has become global. And Scotland’s managers are about to follow suit.
The latest candidates for the SFA’s UEFA Pro Licence will gather at Hampden today to kick off the two-year course they now need to boss at the elite level of European football.
But for the first time since the course began in 1999, candidates must learn a second language as part of their studies.
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17 December 2012 (European Commission)
Communication and languages are crucial to business in a globalised economy. New evidence found in two reports published in the UK and in Ireland.
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17 December 2012 (European Commission)
Euronews, the multilingual TV broadcaster, proposes TV reports and news on languages in several sections devoted to education, business, culture and learning.
Read more...
13 December 2012 (Engage for Education)
Modren Scots Grammar: Wirkin Wi Wirds is one of the recent projects undertaken by Scottish Language Dictionaries to celebrate their first ten years.
The book accords with Curriculum for Excellence in that it seeks to give readers an understanding of how language works and to give them the tools with which to discuss Scots, English and other modern languages.
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A few Christmas activities for the second week of Advent
12 December 2012 (ALL)
Here are some ideas for celebrating Christmas with your class, from ALL. They cover different languages and different levels.
- Make some lovely French, German and Spanish Christmas cards, courtesy of MFL Sunderland
- Christmas cards from L’Internaute
- If that isn’t enough, use French instructions to make your own origami Père Noёl
- You can also write to Père Noel himself!
- A nice site for Christmas recipes, gifts, Christmas crafts and Christmas songs in different languages
- Activity ideas from Culturethèque @ the Institut français du Royaume-Uni
- There’s a whole range of French Christmas resources on the MFL Sunderland website, including sound files, flashcards, worksheets, fun activities, podcasts and videos
- Some more ideas for Christmas crafts and activities
- Say ‘Merry Christmas!’ to friends all over the world and learn how to say ‘Seasons Greetings’ in many languages
- There are more German activity ideas from the Goethe Institut and UK-German Connection
- Global Dimension offer their own ideas and inspiration for getting festive this Christmas
- Some Christmas game ideas from the lovely folks at MFLResources
- Woodlands Junior School offer a variety of Christmas activities
- The Lancashire Grid for Learning also have activities, resources and further links in French, German, Italian and Spanish
- How about a festive video clip of Pigloo, the French singing penguin?
- Last but not least, some festive resources to enjoy in Spanish
11 November 2012 (Language Rich Europe blog)
As part of the Language Rich Europe project, we are holding workshops across Europe to discuss the findings and plan the next steps. In this blog post, Lorcan Murray, an intern at British Council Netherlands, writes about the workshop held in Utrecht in November.
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11 December 2012 (European Commission)
A new study on the impact of partnerships between schools in different countries has found that pupils significantly improved their skills, including foreign languages.
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7 December 2012 (TESS)
The ability to speak foreign languages is not only important in finding work abroad - it is becoming ever more crucial for getting a job in Scotland. That was one of the most compelling messages from businesswoman Rebecca Trengove, guest speaker at a languages conference in Stirling.
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7 December 2012 (SCILT)
We have pulled together a list of our favourite Christmas websites for teachers to use in class. These websites cover Christmas in France, Germany, Spain and around the world.
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7 December 2012 (The Herald)
Expanding the study of languages at Scottish universities is proving difficult to achieve, a report by funding chiefs says.
Read more...
5 December 2012 (The Telegraph)
We English speakers have a bad reputation in the world of language. According to a European Commission survey in 2012, 61 per cent of British respondents could not speak a second language. However, with growing foreign economies and more global communication than ever before, languages are becoming a crucial skill for professionals.
The related article below outlines the languages rated most useful to business by UK firm managers. Ironically, whilst not listed as one of the easiest to learn, German language skills are the most highly sought after by UK businesses.
Read more...
5 December 2012 (Radio Lingua)
The latest edition of the Coffee Break Spanish Magazine is now available. Join the team and improve your Spanish! In this edition:
- Alba asks her interviewees, ¿ayer hiciste algo especial? Answers cover a range of topics – and accents!;
- Laura teaches us what hablar por los codos means;
- and JP and Nahyeli discuss medical Spanish in response to a listener’s question.
The free version of the audio programme for this episode is available through the links and audio players.
Read more...
3 December 2012 (Education Scotland)
Nominations for the 2013 awards are now open. Categories include the Global Citizenship Award, which recognises the achievements of schools and pre-schools that have adopted a whole school approach to global citizenship, and the Gaelic Awareness Award in recognition of schools and pre-schools who are providing opportunities for all children to develop fluency in the Gaelic language and culture. Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for more information and to submit a nomination.
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3 December 2012 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
The growing importance of China and Chinese language is shown by the significant increase in the number of HSK candidates registered with the Confucius Institute for Scotland in 2012. The HSK exam which was significantly revised in 2010 to be more appropriate for non-immersive learners drew a pool of 101 candidates, up from 34 in 2011.
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30 November 2012 (SQA)
The latest progress on the new national qualifications from the SQA, including a reminder of the CfE subject implementation dates being run throughout Scotland. Modern Language events are taking place in February 2013 and places can be booked via the SQA website.
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27 November 2012 (ALL)
Every year, Canning House runs an essay prize competition challenging language students from all over the UK to submit an essay which best displays their linguistic flair and capacity for free expression in their second language(s). The topic for discussion changes from year to year. This year the essay (of 750-1000 words in Spanish or Portuguese) is on the topic "What particular contribution does Latin America or Iberia make to the modern world?" Students of Spanish or Portuguese aged 17-19 are eligible, with prizes of £500, £200 and £100. Deadline: 31 January 2013. Further details are on the Canning House website.
Read more...
27 November 2012 (Engage for Education)
Sarah Breslin, Director of SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages at the University of Strathclyde, talks about the importance of the Scottish Government’s 1+2 languages policy.
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27 November 2012 (BBC News)
A widespread lack of language skills could be damaging Scotland's ability to trade abroad, a report has suggested. The British Council study warned there was a tendency among Scottish firms to limit their export markets to English-speaking countries.
Read more...
Related Links
Fears raised for overseas trade as young Scots shy away from studying foreign languages (The Scotsman, 27 November 2012)
A crisis in foreign language teaching across Scottish education is damaging overseas trade, the British Council warns today.
Analysis: Speaking the lingo goes to prove that it’s not only travel that broadens the mind (The Scotsman, 27 November 2012)
Leaders: Greater language skills key to breaking trade barriers (The Scotsman, 27 November 2012)
Crisis in study of languages a risk to trade (The Herald, 27 November 2012)
A lack of foreign language skills is limiting the ability of Scottish companies to tap into lucrative overseas export markets, according to a new report.
Kaye asks why Scots are so bad at learning foreign languages (Call Kaye, BBC Radio Scotland, 27 November 2012) - programme available until 3 December 2012.
Trade danger of language teaching cuts (Scottish Daily Express, 27 November 2012)
Language cuts 'will hit Scottish economy' (Morning Star, 27 November 2012)
Language Rich Europe - Scotland (British Council, 2012)
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27 November 2012 (The Guardian)
Languages may be in decline at A-level and degree; but more young people are taking classes in their spare time – especially if they don't have to pay.
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Related Links
University students: How to learn a language for free (The Guardian, 27 November 2012).
See what's on offer at your university and find alternative ways to brush up on a foreign language.
23 November 2012 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
Bookings are now being taken for language classes at the Confucius Institute for Scotland for the winter term starting from week beginning 14 January 2013.
Visit the website for full details of all the classes on offer.
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23 November 2012 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
The SCEN China Youth Summit at Gleneagles on 12 November, known as the G50 after the 50 schools, universities and other organisations represented and in memory of the famous G8 Summit held at Gleneagles in 2005 was an inspiring day for all those who attended the event.
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23 November 2012 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
A record number of candidates will present for the December 2012 HSK exams organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland. In total in 2012, 101 candidates have registered to test their Chinese in this global examination.
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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.
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23 November 2012 (Education Scotland)
British Council Scotland and Education Scotland have recently published ‘Sustainable International School Partnerships – Make the Difference’.
Effective practices, challenges, opportunities and a framework for reflection combine to illustrate how the development of sustainable international school partnerships can ‘make the difference’ within Curriculum for Excellence. This new publication draws on the experience of practitioners who have been closely involved in developing international school partnerships.
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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...
21 November 2012 (Higher Education Academy)
The time spent studying, working or volunteering abroad during a degree programme is an excellent opportunity to identify and start up a new business. However, too few students are aware of entrepreneurship before or during their international placement.
This report shows that students who speak foreign languages, travel and understand other cultures have a unique entrepreneurial opportunity. It encourages students to look at placements abroad in a more critical and innovative way, to be aware of business opportunities and to make use of the start-up support, networks and services available when starting a business.
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20 November 2012 (Open University)
In a unique partnership arrangement with the Open University (OU), Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have provided their postgraduate students and their staff with the opportunity to study an OU language module in French, German, Spanish or Chinese. 82 GCU students and staff began beginners’ language modules in October, and more will sign up for higher level language modules starting in February. The face-to-face element of the OU tuition programme is being delivered on GCU’s Glasgow campus at times that fit with GCU’s timetable.
Glasgow Caledonian University places importance on the fact that language competence enhances employability and international mobility and values the Open University’s proven track record in language teaching.
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HE,
Chinese,
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German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
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Languages - Higher Education,
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News from language & education organisations
19 November 2012 (Consejería de Educación)
The Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain, is pleased to announce details of the Videominute International Contest 2012-13 with 1000 Euros on offer for the winner. The competition is open to all ages and requires individuals or groups to submit a video lasting no longer than one minute. Any submissions in a language other than Spanish must be subtitled in Spanish or English. A maximum of 5 entries are permitted. For further information and how to apply visit the Videominute website, where you can also view previous competition entries.
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15 November 2012 (THE)
Two UK language departments may be forced to close their degree programmes because they recruited too few students for 2012-13, a lecturers' association has claimed.
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13 November 2012 (Xinhuanet)
Gleneagles, Britain, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- It used to be the place where the G8 summit was held in July 2005, and on Monday another event, dubbed G50, was staged at the same venue.
But this time the participants are 50 high school students from across Scotland who were exchanging their joys and hardships in learning the Chinese language.
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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.
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8 November 2012 (SecEd)
From teacher collaboration to how children learn, the work of Professor Bill Lucas is providing a blueprint for 21st century education.
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8 November 2012 (The Independent)
Learning another language has many benefits apart from aiding research.
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8 November 2012 (Channel 4)
Follow the links to see previews of Channel 4’s learning portal, Clipbank. Clips are available for learners of French, German and Spanish, all addressing a particular topic, or area of grammar in the target language:
French
Spanish
German
Please note this is a preview only. To access the resources you will need to subscribe to the service.
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7 November 2012 (eTwinning)
eTwinning Ambassador Joe Dale shares his fantastic ideas on using QR codes to improve students language skills in today's article 'Bringing Language Learning to Life: teaching tips, tech and ideas' on the Guardian Teacher Network.
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Related Links
If you are a language teacher looking to reenergise your lessons and make language learning more meaningful to a 21st century learner check out the full range of innovative ideas on the
Guardian Teacher Network.
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7 November 2012 (The Guardian Teacher Network)
What does a range of nationalities in class bring to the teaching and learning experience? A collection of teachers give us a glimpse into their multicultural classrooms.
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7 November 2012 (SCEN)
The Scotland China Education Network invites you to visit its new website and discover how it is promoting the learning of Chinese and about China in Scottish schools.
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7 November 2012 (Business Insider)
Looking for another way to stand out in a tough job market, plus increase your competitiveness and versatility down the road in your career? If you can commit to adding one or more languages to your resume, you’ll instantly stand out from the crowd.
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7 November 2012 (Memrise)
Do you have trouble learning new words in a foreign language? Memrise makes vocabulary learning fast, fun and effective. Memrise improves your ability to learn vocabulary by adding three powerful ingredients to normal flashcards…what’s more, it’s free to use!
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6 November 2012 (Linguascope)
A range of Linguascope apps for individual learners are available from the Apple app store (vocabulary, verbs, word of the day, news, Linguatrivia, Talking Dice...). If you would like to advertise the apps to your students, we have a new colourful A2 poster for you to display in the classroom. If you would like to receive some posters free of charge, simply drop us an e-mail (www.linguascope.com/contact.php) with your name, school, school address and the number of posters required.
For more information about the apps, visit our website.
Read more...
5 November 2012 (eTwinning)
This week the Guardian Teachers Network are exploring issues around global awareness and understanding in schools. Various articles and blog posts will be available to explore throughout the week.
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2 November 2012 (TESS)
The director of SCILT, Scotland's National Centre for Languages based at the University of Strathclyde, talks about the 1+2 policy, the benefits of CfE and how to persuade pupils to stick with languages.
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Related Links
A reader's response to the TESS Interview: Sarah Breslin (2 November)
"This has been a most interesting article to read. Many thanks to Sarah for all her hard work and support of the MFL teachers in Scotland. We are lucky to have such a fantastic professional with great personality. The 1+2 is an ambitious but not impossible goal to achieve - if all stakeholders are willing to work together for the benefit of generations to come." (rosered27, TES Letters, 9 November 2012)
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Free CPD workshops for teachers of Chinese
24 October 2012 (SCILT/CISS)
SCILT/CISS are offering two workshops for teachers of Chinese on 9 November 2012 at the University of Strathclyde. These workshops are free and are open to anyone involved in the delivery of Chinese in Scottish schools (teachers, probationer teachers, Tianjin teachers, CLAs etc).
For more information download the flyer.
To book email Katie Hawkins
23 October 2012 (Language Education And Partnerships (LEAP))
Language Education And Partnerships (LEAP) offer a range of in-service training courses for existing and aspiring teachers in primary, secondary, further and adult education, designed to develop your understanding of the teaching and learning of language and culture. These courses, which can be funded through a Comenius or Grundtvig In-service-training grant, are available throughout 2013. They provide an excellent opportunity for you to enhance your teaching methodology while improving your language skills and cultural knowledge. Next deadline for funding applications: 16 January 2013.
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12th October 2012 (LLAS news blog)
My Lords, I shall focus on what the report says about student mobility in relation to the Erasmus scheme and the teaching and learning of modern foreign languages.
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