MAY 2007
Top stories | Other current news | Quick-stop news | Events | Archives
This section of the website is maintained by the Association for Language Learning, the independent subject association for those involved in teaching languages. These pages are published on a termly basis - check out the Archives for previous editions.
The idea of this section of the website is to keep you up to date with any new developments in the field of ICT and MFL. Trying to find the relevant piece of information on the net can be a frustrating and time-consuming activity. Hopefully, here you should be able to find what you are looking for quickly and easily. You can read about new Government initiatives, CPD training opportunities and where you can get support and download documents on what you are interested in. There is helpful information for all MFL teachers from primary to further education, although news for secondary school colleagues is usually prevalent due to the current government focus on this sector. Welcome to ICT news update.
Top stories
CILT launches new Primary Languages website
The recent decision to extend compulsory languages into KS2 by 2010 has led to an increased need for training, and CILT and the DfES have produced an online training resource to support all those involved. The CPD materials come in a variety of formats, including video, audio and a searchable library. There is material to take schools through introducing languages, embedding a structured curriculum, using creative activities for all skills (with and without the use of ICT) and assessing and improving progression. There is a wealth of material and support here for all involved in the process, from teaching assistants to governors, and in a variety of languages.
Lord Dearing’s Languages Review
Findings from Lord Dearing’s Languages Review were published recently and technology was highlighted as an important way of inspiring students, enabling them to use their languages in real situations and to become more autonomous in their learning. The importance of video-conferencing and e-twinning was identified, as well as suggestions for using ICT to facilitate distance learning. The need for continued staff training is acknowledged as students are more familiar than their teachers with these technologies.
Other current news
New Languages ICT Action Research pages
An increasing number of teachers have been able to take part in the various strands of the Languages ICT Action Research project as it has developed over the last three years. To house the impressive range of classroom-based projects undertaken by colleagues, the relevant web pages have been re-designed and a link to the main navigational menu now appears on every page of the web portal. As a result, you will now never be more than a click away from any current or archived action research. Enjoy!
Flashmeeting on blogging and podcasting
Flashmeeting is a free video-conferencing tool which allows users to make virtual connections and exchange ideas with each other across the world wide web. All aspects of discussions can be recorded (video, audio, text) and then accessed later online as a permanent archive. Language teachers have been using Flashmeeting recently to share their good practice in using new technologies such as blogging, podcasting and digital video in their lessons.
Quick-stop news
Mobile Phones in the Languages Classroom
At the recent Communicate.07 conference at Stirling University organised by Scottish CILT and LT Scotland on teaching languages with ICT, Lynne Horn, Principle Teacher of Languages Faculty at Tobermory High School, gave a presentation called Positively Mobile about the potential of using mobile phones in the Languages Classroom. Worth checking out. You can download the presentation from the Scottish CILT site or read a summary of the event on Joe Dale’s blog.
ICT for Language Teachers Blog
Graham Davies, academic coordinator of the ICT4LT website, has started a blog to encourage feedback about the site in particular and the use of ICT in language learning and teaching in general. The latest posts include:
- Web 2.0 - Is it just hype?
- EuroCall 2007 Conference
- History of Computer Assisted Language Learning
- BBC Jam educational site suspended
MissionEurope
Mission Europe is a new interactive adventure game designed to help players learn French, German, Spanish, English or Polish by inviting them to complete missions in Berlin, Krakow or Paris. Players have to listen to mp3 files and follow instructions for 26 separate episodes to solve each mission. If successful, they are rewarded with further information about the country they are visiting virtually, including an insight into its language and culture. All they have to do is choose an adventure and the language they wish to complete it in.
Ma France video podcasts
Video podcasts of the new BBC interactive broadband French course Ma France are being made available for download on a trial basis. You can access the podcasts directly from the site each week or subscribe to the RSS feed in iTunes and have them download automatically.
The programme is as follows:
Ma France episode 1: 23 Apr 07 - How not to get lost in France
Ma France episode 2: 30 Apr 07 - Names and how to spell them
Ma France episode 3: 8 May 07 - Talking about work
Ma France episode 4: 14 May 07 - Shopping and paying
Ma France episode 5: 21 May 07 - Phone calls and messages
Ma France episode 6: 28 May 07 - Understanding instructions
Ma France episode 7: 4 June 07 - Ordering food
Ma France episode 8: 11 June 07 - Booking a gîte
Ma France episode 9: 18 June 07 - House-hunting
Ma France episode 10: 25 June 07 - Sorting out problems
Ma France episode 11: 02 July 07 - Holiday talk
Ma France episode 12: 09 July 07 - Getting to know you
Podcasting Reviewed
Podcasting Reviewed is a beginner’s guide to podcasting recently published by Ufi, the organisation behind learndirect and e-learning company Kineo. The guide explains:
- What podcasting is
- What’s in it for learning
- 8 steps to effective podcasting
- How some organisations are successfully using podcasting
- Where podcasting is headed
Podcasting Reviewed is the first in a series of guides designed to explore key issues in the e-learning world.
AfL in MFL on Teachers TV
Secondary Assessment For Learning - Modern Foreign Languages is the latest programme from Teachers TV aimed at supporting MFL teachers with examples of good practice. This programme deals with how the MFL department at HendonSchool in Barnet provide assessment for learning opportunities for their pupils in lesson time.
Made IT Happen
The Parliamentary Information Technology Committee (PITCOM) in partnership with e-skills UK has launched a challenge aimed at 9-11 pupils in primary schools across the UK to find student-led projects that show initiative and imagination, make the most of the school’s available ICT resources and can demonstrate fit within the national curriculum. The deadline for entries is 5pm on 13 July 2007 and prizes of up to £3000 will be awarded to winning schools. For more details visit the competition website.
Events
ALL London Branch
June event
16 June, 9.30 - 13.00, The Italian Cultural Institute
Programme includes:
'Wicked' ideas for keeping them all on board - Lesley Welsh
Primary/Transition Languages - Helen Groothues, CILT Primary Team
Contact Helen Myers at myers.helen@ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk for further details and booking.
ALL West Yorkshire branch
Inaugural meeting
26 June, 16.30 - 18.00, Leeds Grammar School
Programme includes:
Making the Most of Your Multimedia Language Suite - Wendy Adeniji
Comenius West Midlands
Bored with Boards
4 June, 13.00 - 16.00, Wolverhampton Science Park
This half-day session will enhance and develop further the skills, knowledge and understanding to be able to use Interactive Whiteboards and the latest on-line Networks for Excellence resources effectively within your language classroom and lessons.
Contact Comenius West Midlands at b.guru@wlv.ac.uk, tel: 01902 518 969, for further details and booking.
Creating WebQuests
14 June, 16.00 - 18.00, Wolverhampton Science Park
This twilight session aims to provide you with an introduction to WebQuests, which are online structured learning activities. In order to complete the activities, learners have to obtain the information from other sites on the internet.
Contact Comenius West Midlands at b.guru@wlv.ac.uk, tel: 01902 518 969, for further details and booking.
Comenius South West
Whiteboard Wizardry (Smartboard - Primary)
4 July, Ivybridge Community College, Ivybridge
This is a one day hands-on course for primary teachers of languages held in collaboration with CILT. It focuses on the use of ICT for whole-class teaching, in the context of Smartboards and Smartboard 9.5 software. For more information contact Tara Hooper at tara.hooper@devon.gov.uk or visit the DCS website.
Comenius Yorkshire and Humber
The interactive whiteboard and primary languages
Wednesday 20 June, 10.00 - 15.30, The Minerva Centre, Bradford
Speaker: Wendy Adeniji
For further details and bookings contact Adrienne Smith at a.smith@leedstrinity.ac.uk, tel: 0113 2837226
