Jane Handley, an ALL member in the Midlands read the latest Languages Today magazine (Engagement) and drafted this blog about her work to engage students in language learning.

Whilst working as a Head Languages in school, I was always looking for ways to bring the languages I taught to life. This is very challenging in a classroom but the main alternative, a trip abroad, while very worthwhile, can also be a time-consuming, bureaucratic and costly endeavour.

When I gave up my full-time teaching post I founded JLH Languages, as a way to offer a way of enhancing the language learning experience. It organises immersive language experiences in restaurants in South Staffordshire in order to offer a fun, effective and hassle-free alternative to a foreign trip. Our aim is to give students a taste of being in a French or Spanish restaurant whilst remaining in the UK.

We offer breakfasts or a 3-course meal option to school groups where all of the interactions take place in the target language. Students use their linguistic knowledge to order, sort out problems during the meal, give detailed opinions about their food, or discuss healthy eating issues. A full list of vocabulary can be given to the school prior to the event so that it can be prepared in advance. This encourages students to use their language skills spontaneously, and so increases their confidence and motivation.

What are the benefits?

• Students gain a taste of being in a foreign environment without the issues surrounding a foreign trip.  For some it might be an alternative, and for others a springboard to encourage reluctant students to participate in a trip in the future.
• This experience stimulates students’ cultural awareness. They become curious about how life in France or Spain is different from life in Britain through experiencing the cuisine and the ambiance of the country.
• The teaching in school leading up to the event is given a sharper focus as students know that they will soon be using the language for a concrete purpose. This often means they are motivated to practise and learn the language, so they can use it effectively during their visit.
• Students are required to speak French or Spanish to order a meal. The successful completion of this task gives them concrete proof that they can actually “do” French or Spanish.
• The experience brings the subject to life as students realise that their language is really useful. Hopefully this motivation leads them to continue with their studies with increased enthusiasm. For this reason engaging in an activity like this is a good strategy to use with students prior to their option choices in Year 8 or Year 9.
• Using the target language in an unscripted way develops students’ coping mechanisms (relevant in exam situations) and can help students understand that spoken language does not have to be perfect - as long as their message is conveyed.
• Cross-curricular issues such as healthy eating are addressed. Every menu includes a healthy option and students can discuss the pros and cons of their meal choices.
• Visits can be tailored to meet the specific objectives of each group e.g. to motivate reluctant learners, to stretch the most able, to increase confidence of students when speaking, to improve spontaneity, to introduce authentic texts or food technology or music.
• After the visit, teachers can reinforce that the language they are learning is real, not simply an academic subject, but ones with real lifelong value and purpose beyond the examination.

The feedback from the groups who have taken part so far has been overwhelmingly positive:

“We felt the experience was excellent from start to finish. Extremely memorable as it was practical and useful. It showed pupils that the language is used in real life and opened up a door to French culture even though we were only 30 minutes from home.” Headteacher and French specialist, Wolverhampton

Jane Handley, JLH Languages

Website: www.jlhlanguages.org

Facebook: @JLHLanguages

If Jane’s report inspires you to try to run a practical, experiential, sociable event in this vein, please let others know by writing a short report for ALL to post for you on the website.