Language World is the Association for Language Learning’s annual conference and CPD event offering a packed programme with speakers from across the languages sector attracting up to 250 participants a day. Held in March, the theme this year was Progress for ALL and included sessions on promoting progress in all aspects of pupils’ learning of languages.
Language Futures had a significant presence at Language World 2017. A key feature of the Language Futures approach is the promotion of autonomy which was explored in a Major Talk entitled Linguistic autonomy, in the end, is the only goal that matters on Friday. Also featured on Friday was a secondary themed session entitled Developing after school languages provision while a session on Saturday Opening the classroom door to parents and the community explored the Language Futures primary model and was co-delivered by Ann Swarbrick, the Language Futures Schools Adviser and Victoria Mitchell who is the ALL Education Officer and has also set up Language Futures in a primary school.
A poster exhibition bringing classroom based research and news about languages initiatives direct to delegates was a new feature for Language World. Taking place on Friday, delegates were able to learn more about the Language Futures research exercise to date via a presentation by Dr Rachel Hawkes (our Language Futures Educational Researcher). Rachel also co-delivered the secondary session with Ann Swarbrick and has launched Language Futures in her school.
Language Futures also had a dedicated stand in the exhibition offering additional information to interested schools where we gave advice on particular aspects of the approach such as mentoring.
A follow-up Teacher Taster session at Linton Village College in Cambridge (where Language Futures was first developed) has now been planned for schools interested in developing the approach. For further information or to book a place, please email the Language Futures Project Manager Clodagh Cooney by emailing [email protected]
The Language Futures website offers advice and guidance on setting up the approach. However, if you are considering Language Futures, please do contact us as we will be able to offer advice relevant to your school context.