North West

Our Language Enrichment Events are interactive, exciting events that encourage pupils to continue with their language studies at school and to think about the advantages of learning a new language or gaining a qualification in a language they may speak at home. These events have proved extremely popular with pupils and language teachers over the past two years.
Events will be held at all five partner institutions and will include a talk entitled “Why Study Languages?”, two taster sessions in a new language (Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Urdu or Italian) and a multi-cultural market where pupils will learn more about different cultures. Student ambassadors from our partner institutions will talk to pupils about life at university and the advantages of studying a foreign language. Lunch is also included.
The events are open to any year 9 pupils who have not yet chosen to study languages at GCSE, from schools where languages are not compulsory. We are trying to achieve as much impact as possible so would suggest that you bring pupils who are less interested in languages, so that we can do our very best to change their minds!
 

Please complete a Booking Form and return it as soon as possible to routes@mmu.ac.uk.

Routes into Languages North West

Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 November 2009
Venue tbc

The conference is aimed at:

• Community Languages policy makers and language planners
• Complementary/supplementary and mainstream school teachers and headteachers
• Researchers and doctoral students

Aims of the conference:

• to promote the North West Consortium
• to develop links and opportunities for involvement in the project
• information dissemination, discussion and sharing good practice.

Themes of the Conference:

The first day of the conference will concentrate on Community Languages Promotion and Status raising and the second day will focus on Teaching and Learning.

Speakers:

• Opening talk: Doctor Sharon Handley-Belkacemi, Routes into Languages NW consortium Director and Head of the Language Department at Manchester Metropolitan University
• Plenary speaker: Professor Itesh Sachdev from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
• Closing Speaker: Professor Richard Towell, University of Salford, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies.  

Click here to view the Conference Programme.

Key Dates:

• Abstracts to be received by Tuesday 15 September 2009
• Notification of acceptance: Thursday 15 October 2009
• Registration closing date: Wednesday 28 October 2009

Registration

The price of the conference is £75 for both days and £50 for one day. The price includes all refreshments including an evening meal but not accommodation.

We offer bursaries for teachers within the supplementary school sector and students. Please contact us for details: routes@mmu.ac.uk

Documents for downloading:

Please download and complete the following documents as applicable

Call for papers
Abstract template
Presenter’s details

Registration Form

Abstracts Booklet

Conference Programme

Where to send the documents?:

Registration forms should be sent to:

Email: routes@mmu.ac.uk
Or
Post: Routes into Languages – COLT conference;Manchester Metropolitan University; Mabel Tylecote Building
Cavendish Street; Manchester M15 6BG

Abstract forms and presenter’s details forms should be sent to:

s.bullo-alos@mmu.ac.uk

Useful Information

Accomodation in Manchester - a list of affordable accomodation in central Manchester.

Routes into Languages in the North West are running an Italian Celebration Day, which is being held to mark the European Day of Languages.
This event is open to language students in Years 10-12. They do not have to be studying Italian, as we will offer ab initio sessions for those who have no knowledge of the language. Students studying GCSE or AS Level Italian are also welcome to attend, as we will offer them sessions appropriate to their level.
The event will be hosted by the University of Manchester, one of the partners of Routes NW. It is designed to highlight the benefits of learning Italian and the fun way in which it can be taught. Activities will include a language taster, an opera session using music to teach the language and a film study session, highlighting the way film can be used to teach languages. We also hope to offer a drama workshop, which will get the pupils actively involved in exploring the Italian culture.
The event is hoped to boost students’ enthusiasm for language learning. This is an excellent opportunity to show language students the variety of languages on offer; and the variety of fun ways students can learn languages, and about their associated cultures.
This event is free of charge and we expect that it will book up quickly, so please return the enclosed booking form as soon as possible to reserve your places. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
 

If your school would like to attend, please fill in the Booking Form attached and return via email, fax or post by 21st October 2009.

The Urdu Focus Group is a chance for those interested in the teaching and learning of Urdu to get together and discuss ways in which mainstream and supplementary schools can work together to promote the Urdu language.

The purpose of the event is:

• To find ways in which mainstream and supplementary schools can work in collaboration in order to establish a more fluent relationship with the support of the COLT project.
• To find ways to link supplementary schools with mainstream schools as part of the Community cohesion agenda within the OFSTED process.
• To gain an insight into the ways in which Supplementary Schools can have an impact on attainment and aid community cohesion.
• To find ways to help supplementary schools become a more integral part of the community language agenda within the local schools and the local community.

We would be delighted if you or anyone else involved in Community Languages in general, and Urdu in particular, at your schools would agree to join the discussion as we believe that it could lead to very positive and fruitful results.

If you would like to participate in the event, please complete the attached Registration Form and return it no later than Friday 2nd October 2009. Alternatively, send us an email response to routes@mmu.ac.uk.

Our Careers with Languages Evening will provide useful information about the personal and professional benefits of language study, the sorts of careers it can lead to and the many routes to gaining language qualifications. A talk about the careers on offer to linguists and options for language study will be followed by real life examples from business people who value language skills and actively seek language graduates to work for them. This is a valuable chance for students interested in language to find out more about what languages can do for them.

The event will be held at Manchester Metropolitan University from 4-7.00pm, and a draft programme can be found below. The event is free of charge and refreshments and a light buffet meal will be provided.

Our Language Enrichment Events are interactive, exciting events that encourage school children to continue with their language studies at school and to think about the advantages of learning a new language or gaining a qualification in a language they may speak at home. These events proved to be extremely popular with school children and teachers last year.

Events will include a talk entitled “Why Study Languages,” two taster sessions in a new language (in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Urdu or Italian) and a multi-cultural market where pupils will learn more about different cultures. Student ambassadors from our partner institutions will talk to pupils about life at university and the advantages of studying a foreign language.

To download an application form and provisional timetable please click on the below links. For further information please contact routes@mmu.ac.uk / tel. 0161-247-6290.

Course/ Chinese Art and Globalisation: A unique workshop and discussion series led by artist Kai-Oi Jay Yung  

All sessions will seek to involve participation, discussion and input from the student. No prior art knowledge is necessary.

Workshop/State Legacy: Contemporary Interpretations of China

Wed 20 May14:00 – 16:00 £5 full / £4 concs 

Join artist Kai-Oi Jay Yung for the chance to interpret the work of five prominent Chinese artists in current OCAT, MIRIAD and Cornerhouse exhibition State Legacy. From Sui Jianguo’s nine-screen multi-visual projection of Beijing’s speed test railway to Zeng Li’s photographic charting of China’s rapid industrial transformation, this interactive gallery-based workshop includes a tour by Cornerhouse Exhibitions Co-ordinator Tomas Harold. The workshop will give participants the chance to gain an insight into the cultural, political, social and economic challenges and transformation of contemporary China.  

Talk and Discussion/Transitions in Chinese Art History

Wed 27 May14:00 – 16:00£5 full / £4 concs 

Participants are invited to consider China’s historical political past and the contrasting routes within Chinese and Western art. The second hour will gather participants at the Chinese Arts Centre for an exclusive talk, tour and discussion to examine Contemporary Chinese art from the viewpoint of curator, artist and venue. Sally Lai, Chief Executive; Ying Kwok, Curator and David Hancock, Residency Co-ordinator will provide key insight into Hong Kong’s art market in relation to mainland China and the UK. 

Talk and Tour/Globalisation & Industrialisation: Impact on Chinese Art

Wed 3 June14:00 – 16:00£5 full / £4 concs 

Artist Kai-Oi Jay Yung invites participants to consider the development of a globalised Chinese art market in relation to world trade and the current economic climate. The second half of this session is located at the Museum of Science and Industry where experts in costume widen our understanding in a fun and interactive exploration of industrial Manchester, setting in context China’s industrial past.  

Performance and Discussion/British Interpretations of China and Chinese Art

Wed 17 June14:00 – 16:00£5 full / £4 concs 

A unique opportunity to question and unravel the complex impact of China’s advancing economy and culture on its rural landscape and Communist structure as artist Kai-Oi Jay Yung facilitates Skype interaction with UK-based arts organisation Grizedale Arts and the eco-village-based Happy Stacking China project. Established artist Mike Chavez-Dawson then gives a unique take on three questions relating to Chinese art and globalisation through a one-off live musical performance. This is followed by an hour in conversation with artist / curator Kwong Lee at his gallery, Castlefield. Please bring an apple for Mike’s session!

Talk and Discussion/Kai-Oi Jay Yung: Artist Heritage and Contemporary Practice

Wed 24 June14:00 – 16:00£5 full / £4 concs 

Kai-Oi Jay Yung explores her Chinese heritage and prolific interdisciplinary practice, offering a unique personal insight into her making process that traverses an international diaspora of voices, platforms and processes. From FACT to Istanbul Biennial, the Sock to King Ludwig II, how does Contemporary Chinese art across the diaspora hinge upon its heritage? An hour’s discussion and debate follows with a chance to discuss the contemporary art scene and marketplace via an E-Space Lab connection to Shanghai and a panel of locally based curators. 

Please note you can either purchase tickets for individual sessions or purchase a course ticket for all five.  

Full course ticket including all five sessions: £20 full / £15 concs 

You can book individual sessions:  Online at www.cornerhouse.org/art 

Through Box Office on 0161 200 1500 

For course tickets, please call Box Office on the number above.

Screening: Little Red Flowers (Kan shang qu hen mei) 12A

Director: Yuan Zhang, China / Italy, 2006, 92 mins. In Mandarin with English subtitles.

A full screening of Little Red Flowers (Kan shang qu hen mei), with

an introduction in English, post-screening activities and group

exercises in Chinese and English. Robert Hamilton - Senior

Lecturer in Film and Media Studies, MMU and Amy Wang -

Chinese Lecturer, MMU will focus the session around topics to

complement the GCSE Chinese specification including

relationships with family and friends, social issues and equality,

school and college.

Based on the 1999 semi-autobiographical novel Could be Beautiful

by Wang Shuo, Little Red Flowers is a poignant and touching

drama about a precocious child's struggle to conform in postrevolutionary

Beijing.

To attend this event please contact routes@mmu.ac.uk or call 0161 247 6290.

A training course to bring to life the teaching of Urdu through highly interactive methodology for the language and culture.

Whatever your level –beginner, advanced or native speaker – anyone with an interest in teaching beginners Urdu will benefit greatly from this course.   

Signing up to this free course will give you access to a wealth of Urdu teaching materials, including games, websites and lesson plans, everything you need to bring Urdu alive in your lessons.

Course dates and times:

• April 28th        9.00 to 4.00      
• April 29th         4.00 to 6.15      
• May 6th          4.00 to 6.15      
• May 13th        4.00 to 6.15      
• May 20th        4.00 to 6.15      
• June 10th       4.00 to 6.15      
• June 17th       4.00 to 6.15      
• June 24th       4.00 to 6.15      
• July 1st           4.00 to 6.15      
• July 8th          9.00 to 4.00  

To register, go to http://www.traffordlearning.org/cpd/CPDCourseForm.asp and fill out the online enrolment form or send an e-mail to routes@mmu.ac.uk.

This event, our only GCSE event, will have a practical focus and aim to support GCSE students in their preparation for the GCSE examination. They will include:

• A talk on languages in higher education and career opportunities with languages;
• A language session on a current GCSE in the language studied and a taster in another lesser-taught language;
• An examiner’s talk, in which an experienced GCSE examiner will talk about exam techniques and share tips for success.

GCSE students will also have the opportunity to talk to university languages students over lunch and find out more about life in further education. 

For further information please contact routes@mmu.ac.uk / tel. 0161-247-6290.