Tuesday 21 February 2012
Debate on the future of languages as teachers gather for conference
Primary and secondary practitioners will discuss the importance of language learning
Following his recent call for the UK to expand language teaching to ensure it's not isolated from the rest of the world, headmaster of Wellington College, Dr Anthony Seldon, will be joining language teachers and practitioners from across the Midlands to debate the topic of Languages - Where Next? on Wednesday 29 February.
The conference for primary and secondary language practitioners has been organised by Network for Languages East Midlands, Nottingham Trent University and the East Midlands International and Languages Education (EMILE) department at Nottingham City Council, following a recent National Curriculum Review from the Department for Education, which queries how and at what age languages should be taught in schools.
Along with the keynote speech on the future of languages from Dr Seldon, there will be a question and answer session with a panel of language teaching experts from across the country on issues surrounding languages and the international dimension in schools, and a number of workshops led by practicing teachers on topics such as Promoting Global Citizenship Education through Modern Foreign Languages; Songs, Games and Rhymes from French and Spanish Playgrounds; and Content vs. Culture: The Importance of Intercultural Understanding.
Participants will also be treated to a performance of drama and songs from a group of 33 years 4 to 6 pupils from Haydn Primary School in Sherwood, to showcase what local children have achieved in languages. The choir will be performing a selection of international songs, followed by a retelling in Spanish of La Bella y La Bestia - Beauty and the Beast.
Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Nottingham Trent University and member of the expert panel, Professor Murray Pratt, said: "Language learning in schools is vital to the future of the UK and the National Curriculum Review has made this conference even more topical. We're aiming to showcase local, regional and national talent in order to prepare and inspire delegates to face impending curriculum change."
The Q&A panel will also include keynote speaker, Dr Anthony Seldon; director of the School Classics Project at the University of Cambridge, Dr Will Griffiths; director of the Association for Language Learning, Linda Parker; Languages Education lead at the CfBT Education Trust, Therese Comfort; associate professor in Primary Education at the University of Nottingham, Dr Philip Hood; and principal of Judgemeadow Community College, Rob Summers.
Nottingham City Council leader, Cllr Jon Collins, who is the council's portfolio holder for training and employment, said: "Knowledge of at least one other language and the ability to operate cross-culturally are skills increasingly valued by potential employers, and which open doors to young people both in the world of work and socially. This conference will inspire anyone involved in the delivery of languages and the international dimension to provide even more exciting opportunities for the young people they work with."
Clodagh Cooney, Network for Languages East Midlands manager, added: "The day will focus on practical activities and delegates will leave with lots of ideas which can be used in the classroom. The workshops will be run by practising teachers and will focus on a range of languages, including Mandarin and Latin. There will also be opportunities to view the latest resources, speak to publishers in the exhibition space and to meet and network with colleagues."
The conference will be held at Nottingham Trent University’s Grade II* listed Nottingham Conference Centre on Wednesday 29 February from 9 am – 3.30 pm. For further information email Network for Languages or telephone +44 (0)115 848 6843.
Notes to editors:
Press enquiries please contact Helen Breese, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8751 or via email, or Therese Easom, Press and Internal Communications Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774 or via email.
Keynote speaker - Dr Anthony Seldon
Dr Anthony Seldon is headmaster of Wellington College and author or editor of over 30 books on education, contemporary history and politics including biographies on Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. He appears regularly on television, radio and in the press, and writes for several national newspapers. His views on education have regularly been sought by the government and political parties. Dr Seldon recently spoke out in the media about the urgent need to expand language teaching in the UK and increase the number of language teachers in schools.
Network for Languages
Network for Languages East Midlands offers the very best professional development, support, training and networking for language teachers in schools, colleges and other organisations across the region. Its programme of activity for 2011 / 12 includes workshops and conferences, networking events, language up-skilling as well as tailored events for individual schools and networks / clusters of schools working together.
Supported by Nottingham Trent University, it is part of Network for Languages, a national alliance of universities, committed to excellence in language learning and teaching, and to supporting language teachers and professionals across all sectors.
