Yorkshire and the Humber

French Activity Weekend
 

23-25 April 2010
 

Leeds Met Language Ambassadors have been helping school students gain more confidence in French.
Seven level 2 French undergraduates attended an all French speaking activity weekend with pupils from Ermysted's Grammar School to help prepare them for their up-and-coming GCSE exams.
Taking place at Nell Bank Activity Centre, most of the French weekend was spent outdoors where Leeds Met Language Ambassadors took part in playing team games, which involved guiding blind-folded individuals across assault courses, as well as football and frisbee challenges.
Jointly organised by Leeds Met French lecturer Marion Lines and Clare Hudson from Ermysted's Grammar School, the project is part of Routes into Languages which aims to encourage language learning in local high schools.
As part of the project Leeds Metropolitan language students regularly help out providing the chance to use and improve their language skills.
Marion Lines commented: "Everyone has really enjoyed the activity weekend and the pupils have been very interactive. It's been a fantastic weekend where everyone involved, including our language students, has been challenged by being immersed for two days in the French language."
One Language Ambassador, Hayley Winnick, who attended the fun-packed French weekend said: "It's been a great experience and an ideal opportunity to practise my French knowledge and work with young people. I've learnt lots of new skills that I'll be able to use when I work as a teaching assistant in France next year - I wouldn't have been able to gain this valuable experience anywhere else."
Routes into Languages at Leeds Metropolitan provides the opportunity for our students to work with local schools on a variety of projects which goes towards helping to practise and enhance their language skills.

Why are languages so important in singing and acting? This was the initial question for a workshop that took place on March 12th 2010 in the Language Learning Centre of the University of Hull, organised by Daniela Schwark (Language Learning Adviser) and supported by Vincenzo Alfano (Language Learning Adviser) and Chloé Lacoste (French Lectrice). The purpose of this workshop was to familiarise singers, actors and musicians with the sounds, phrasing and pronunciation of Italian, French and German – the most commonly used languages in the classical vocal repertoire and authentic theatre and opera productions. A general vocal warm-up aimed to prepare the 12 participants from the Music and Drama Department of the University and staff members for the task ahead. The all-encompassing exercises activated the vocal chords and introduced unfamiliar sounds to English and Asian native speakers at the workshop. Apart from that they were an excellent ice-breaker and established a very comfortable and positive atmosphere. The participants enjoyed listening to familiar and unfamiliar words of the three languages from cappuccino and croissant to Bratwurst and worked on the French nursery rhyme Frère Jacques before approaching the actual task: the lyrics of three songs from the classical musical repertoire: Caro mio ben by Giordano, Habanera from the opera Carmen by Bizet and Heidenröslein by Schubert. With the help of recordings, the participants were able to familiarize with phrasing and sounds before they were asked to work on the lyrics themselves with the help of the advisers. The final, very enjoyable, group presentation of the songs and also three poems (aimed at the Drama students) demonstrated how theory can be put into practice and languages and music together create a meaningful message. ‘It is important to understand the basics of the language in which you sing or perform to convey emotions and context to the audience. My intention was to create this awareness, offer hands-on practice and to build a bridge between language and music’, says Daniela Schwark.
 

Some impressions from participants:

- A lovely introduction to some basic pronunciation. I really enjoyed it. Thank you. I especially enjoyed the songs, it is perhaps more useful to singers. (Drama student)
- Good energy and spirit; short and sweet; giving us a chance to practice and perform; was good, thanks. (Drama student)
- Thank you! The skills you taught are very helpful for singing. Hope to join again next time! (Music student)
- I was especially interested in how these 3 languages have different ways of pronouncing words. The examples of songs helped me hear the diction and words and the translation to English was very helpful. (Music student)
- Really good to hear native speakers and think about how spoken and sung words relate. Would be really good if a class could be run for singers as part of the degree, where then it could be covered in more detail and it would be possible to bring pieces along. Hope to use the drop-in or language adviser. (Music student)
- Useful with the pronunciation, good if there were more of these I could attend. Thank you. (Music student)
Dr Marina Mozzon-McPherson, Senior Open Learning Adviser for the Language Learning Centre, who supported the event said ‘This is an example of the central role which languages play in many curricula, from music and drama to business and science and can contribute in a range of innovative ways to internationalise curricula’
Similar workshops are planned for next year and will be repeated and extended to other disciplines. This event follows the success of a series which included the introduction and discovery to Chinese, Japanese and Russian language and culture.

Explosive screenings

Film and modern languages make an explosive combination and this has a vital role to play in bringing MFL learning alive to young people.

Highlighting the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall - “Die Fälscher” (The Counterfeiters) was screened in the Wilberforce building on December 9 organised as a joint partnership between Routes into Languages and Links into Languages Yorkshire and The Humber preceded by a teacher training session lead by Links. Taught by Bettina Steurer, lecturer in the German section of the Modern Language Department at the University of Hull, the emphasis was on methods of using film and media in language learning, particularly in AS/A2 lessons. Teachers were given resources to take away with them.

Thirty students attended from colleges and schools in the area and the comments were very enthusiastic. Ross, Year 12, said: “I really enjoyed the film. Thank you, it was a great opportunity and I would definitely come to another screening in both German and French. I will try to persuade more classmates to come next time.”

Another student commented: “I am really glad I came. The staff were friendly and not at all intimidating. It was a great film and very useful for vocab. I hope there are more screenings.”

Bettina Steurer, said: “I think that using films and media in the classroom is an excellent way to immerse students in the target language. This way the teacher can train all the different skills which a competent language user needs to master at a high level. These different skills are of course: reading, speaking, writing and listening.

“Watching a film is particularly useful as you not only hear what someone says but you actually see it. The more senses are used the easier students will remember the content. (This way it also appeals to different learning types). By showing films you can bring a lot of authentic material into the classroom (such as buying a ticket for the train). You can also impart culturally important information (for example: How do Germans behave in a certain environment? What does a German coffeehouse look like?). There are also great opportunities for bringing historically important information alive. Films are usually also emotional and research has shown that students can remember content and vocabulary better if they are emotionally involved with the activity.”

Bettina continued by stating: “With films the teacher can create multi-sensual learning situations and the students get a broader and more authentic picture of the target society. In my opinion the focus in language classes should not only be on the target language but also on the cultural differences between home country and the country whose language one learns.”

The aim of the event was to give teachers ideas and material (ready to copy and use) about how to use the film "The Counterfeiters" in the classroom as well as general ideas of how films can be best used. Different workshops for AS/A2 teachers are to be scheduled in the Yorkshire region on a regular basis, using films which convey contents which AS/A2 level teachers have in their curriculum.

A second screening on January 19th, in one of the new cinema style rooms in Wilberforce, was even more successful and as well attended. The film this time was “Das Leben der Anderen” (The Lives of Others”).

Again the comments from students and teachers were extremely enthusiastic. “It was interesting and insightful and a good chance to see an important film related to our topic work,” said one student from Wilberforce College. “I really hope there are more screenings like this.” commented another. “You got a visual idea of life in the former GDR. This is particularly useful for the course topic ‘Wiedervereinigung’ at college. I think it will give me extra topic knowledge for my exams.”

Links into Languages Yorkshire and the Humber is a new initiative is being spearheaded for the region from the Modern Languages department at Hull University and is designed to promote modern language learning, bringing together teachers and trainers across all school sectors. Manager Kerry Dobson said: “MFL teachers have been telling us that film screenings are an excellent way to help students tap into the possibilities from language, possibilities which include the literary and historical .We listen to teachers and students and with this in mind we have organised two highly successful screenings and more are planned for later in the year.”

 The Links into Languages Yorkshire and the Humber workshop for teachers involved:

A.activities to do with your students BEFORE watching the film (e.g. to analyse the trailer) to get students interested.

B.activities teachers can do WHILE they are watching the film (e.g. analyzing short film sequences; guessing how a specific scene might continue; what kind of homework they can give to prepare students for cultural and historical issues, )

C.activities AFTER having watched the film. (eg. reading different film reviews and seeing whether if they agree with them)

This engaging and motivating DVD was produced by the lead institution of the Yorkshire and Humber consortium for Routes into Languages, The University of Hull, in collaboration with the Regional Language Network Yorkshire & Humber (RLNYH). It aims to raise awareness of the importance of studying a language in today’s competitive environment, as many employers argue that languages are key to successful business activities in today’s global economy.

The DVD consists of a range of interviews with business leaders and employees in the Yorkshire & The Humber region such as the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Camira Fabrics and Howden-based translation company, Language is Everything. It also includes interviews with young people from GCSE to A Level, as well as overseas and native University students. They all give their honest opinions about how languages have helped them, or will help their future careers and they enthuse with positive messages throughout.

We believe this is an invaluable resource for schools, especially language departments, and we hope that it will be used in lessons, as well as during parents’ and options evenings and even on loop in the foyer of school reception areas.

Click here to view the Now You're Talking DVD

Now You're Talking DVD index:

Chapter 1-- Introduction

Chapter 2 -- Languages in Sport

Chapter 3 -- Languages in Public Services

Chapter 4 -- Language Taster Days

Chapter 5 -- Overseas Student Experiences

Chapter 6 -- Business Language Champion: Cummins Turbo Technologies

Chapter 7 -- Business Language Champion: Novotel, Leeds

Chapter 8 -- Business Language Champion: Directions Finningley

Chapter 9 -- Business Language Champion: Camira Fabrics

Chapter 10 -- Business Language Champion: Marshalls Plc

Chapter 11 -- Business Language Champion: Language Is Everything

Chapter 12 -- Business Language Champion: The European Marketing Agency

Chapter 13 -- Languages and Media

Chapter 14 -- The Last Word

Chapter 15 -- End titles

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Wetherby High School pupils visit Ancon

Year 11 students at Wetherby have not only been practising their language skills and looking at French in the business world, but they have been participating in the production of a DVD, due for release in January 2010!!! Following the huge success of the Minsthorpe visit to Ancon last year, it was decided to develop further this initiative and keep a visual record of the event for the school's website, to act as encouragement to future language learners in the school.

Thanks again must go to Hervé Povéda at Ancon for his welcoming manner and natural rapport with students. Again he made the world of business seem very accessible and students came away with really positive comments.

The film begins with preparatory work at the school and shows Janet Ireland (associate lecturer at the OU) interviewing students about why they are studying French, and how they feel when speaking to the natives. The journey is then followed to Sheffield and the presentation given in French. M Povéda is interviewed in both English and French about the importance of languages in the world of work.

Each student will be given a copy of the DVD as a reminder of the trip, but more importantly it is there to encourage others.

Comments from the visit and work on the DVD included -

"I found this trip very useful and enjoyable - M. Povéda made it interesting and easy to absorb"
"I feel the day has helped with my confidence in speaking"
"M Povéda is friendly and enthusiastic. I have realised that learning a foreign language will help me in the future"
 

Active Languages Project Update

Following the success of the Active Languages event held at the University of Leeds on July 8th 2009, five schools in the Yorkshire and The Humber region submitted proposals to deliver an effective scheme linking languages and sport during the academic year 2009/2010. These five schools were successful and have been awarded the sum of £1000. The details of these schools and their projects follow:

School: Carr Manor High School, Leeds
Project title: Delivering ASSET through sport activities
Issues for action: To implement ASSET languages and ASSET qualification and to incorporate sport at KS3.

School: Lady Lumley’s School, North Yorkshire
Project title: Introduction to handball in French
Issues for action: Successful language students to build on their language skills in a different context and provide role models for Year 9 students.

School: Wisewood School and Community College, Sheffield
Project title: Year 9 trampolining in French
Issues for action: To maintain motivation of high attaining language learners and increase the number of these students taking languages courses post KS3.

School: Armthorpe School, Doncaster
Project title: Year 9 Lacrosse and French
Issues for action: To increase leadership in boys through the delivery of a language leaders’ award and to increase uptake of languages as an option choice for boys in Year 9.

School: All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield
Project title: The All Saints Mini Olympics
Issues for action: To increase uptake of languages post Year 8 and to increase motivation in more challenging groups.