South East

The World of Work event offers pupils a chance to learn about the importance of languages in the workplace.  Speakers from local businesses who use languages in their work give short presentations to underscore this message and pupils also take part in language taster classes to experience languages they may not have already encountered in school.

The World of Work event offers pupils a chance to learn about the importance of languages in the workplace.  Speakers from local businesses who use languages in their work give short presentations to underscore this message and pupils also take part in language taster classes to experience languages they may not have already encountered in school.

Languages on Film is an exciting media event where pupils come to the University to produce short films in a foreign language.  Pupils can choose between a role in front of the camera or a role behind the scenes, such as studio manager, camera operator, or sound mixer.  All filming is done in the foreign language and to facilitate this scripts and vocabulary packs are sent out to schools in advance.  When they are not in the TV studios, pupils will participate in a series of carousel sessions hosted by other language professionals as well as language student ambassadors.  These sessions will focus on language learning and communication.  Following a buffet lunch the day will conclude with a presentation to all pupils about the value and importance of learning languages.

Language clubs provide an opportunity for pupils to experience a language that is not normally available to them as part of their curriculum.  A student from the University of Southampton will come to your school to run weekly club sessions, which will typically include approximately 45 minutes of language learning and 15 minutes of social/cultural input.  There will need to be at least six and no more than twelve pupils to start a club (although it may be possible to run more than one club if interest is high) and the language chosen should be a new one that the pupils are not already studying.  Five one hour sessions will be allocated to each club in the first instance, with the possibility of extending for further five hour blocks if at least six pupils sign up again and attend regularly. Whilst the club will be led by a language student, a member of school staff will need to be available on the school premises in case the student requires assistance.  The school will also be responsible for providing photocopying facilities.  If you are interested in setting up a Language Club at your school, please follow the registration link below.

Face to face mentoring at the University of Southampton is a great way to boost pupils' confidence in the target language.  Aimed at years 10-13, pupils are matched with a university language student who provides assistance and encouragement in any area the pupil is finding difficult.  Mentoring sessions can be an ideal way of providing extra practice of oral skills, for example.  Pupils can work on a one-to-one basis with a mentor or attend sessions with one or two friends or classmates studying the same language at the same level.  Sessions are normally held at the university's Avenue Campus at times mutually agreed between the mentor and mentee.  To register your interest in this activity, please follow the registration link below.

E-mentoring pairs pupils learning languages at school with university language students.  Communication between mentors and mentees is conducted via special software so that email exchanges can take place in a secure environment.  Pupils are encouraged to ask their mentors for help with specific language problems and mentors are encouraged to provide help and support, as well as other materials and activities if required.  The programme will culminate in a celebration event in April.

The Gold Award for Languages is a language challenge encouraging pupils to use and develop their language skills in different settings.  The award will be given upon completion of three different strands: work experience; a community challenge; and a personal challenge.  Pupils will record and document their achievements in a European Languages Portfolio.  Please note that this event is currently in a pilot stage and may be subject to change.

Need help promoting languages at your school?  Then contact the South consortium! We can help spread the word that languages are exciting, fun and important by giving assemblies, supporting options days, language days and careers fairs*, or by coming into a lesson.  Members of the group can attend your event to give presentations, hold workshops or simply give advice about language learning.  Our calendar is filling up fast, so contact us now if you'd like us to come to your school!

* Please note that we do not provide events for you but will gladly attend events you are hosting.

The University of Brighton is hosting an exciting residential media event for Year 10 pupils from local schools.  The aim of the event is to produce short films in either French or Spanish using the University's television studios.  The first day will begin with a tour of the television studios, with all pupils taking part in an exercise to familiarise them with the equipment and different studio roles and they will then form smaller groups to rehearse their films.  Evening entertainment will be provided by another local school specialising in Performing Arts.  The second day will involve recording and production of the films and will culminate in an "Oscar" awards-style ceremony, with prizes being awarded in various categories.  Pupils' parents are also invited to the ceremony.  All pupils will receive a copy of their film on DVD to take home.

The University of Reading is hosting a World of Work event for Year 12 pupils from local schools to promote the value and importance of languages in the business world.  Speakers from companies such as Microsoft, the Accor group (Novotel), and the Goethe Institute will deliver presentations and the pupils will also hear from current PCGE students at the University about languages in education.  With support from languages Student Ambassadors, the pupils will also have to complete a language-related task where they will develop some promotional literature in their target language.  Part of the day will also be spent in the University's Student Services area, so that the pupils can have access to the careers department for further support and advice.