Sunday 29 June 2008

Classtools.net


Create free educational games, activities and diagrams in a Flash! I first came across this website at a meeting of the North Wiltshire SLN for MFL and have used it regularly ever since. There are lots of possibilities for use in the MFL classroom. I particularly like the random name / word picker (see right) and the countdown timers. Click here: http://www.classtools.net/
The training zone for teaching and learning languages at Key Stage 2. There are some interesting case study videos here. Have a look at "Teaching Chinese" - inspiring!

"Have fun playing while learning languages with www.languagegames.org online games! Is it possible to learn while playing games? Of course it is! The games you will find here are much more effective at helping you acquire foreign language skills than other types of exercises."

Foreign Language TV by satellite


A wealth of foreign language TV programmes can be received in the UK by satellite. Many of these are broadcast "free-to-air", meaning no subscription is necessary. To receive broadcasts, a satellite dish (pointing at the appropriate satellite) and a digital satellite receiver are required. There are in excess of 40 German channels available free-to-air on the ASTRA satellite at 19.2 degrees east. Programmes in French, Italian and Spanish can also be received from this satellite. Another satellite for French, German, Spanish and especially Italian is HOTBIRD at 13 degrees east. The satellite ATLANTIC BIRD 3 at 5 degrees west has some free-to-air French channels, including France 2, 3, 5. TF1 and M6 are also free-to-air, but are analogue rather than digital channels. The satellites mentioned here are not the satellites from which UK Sky broadcasts are broadcast. These are the ASTRA satellites at 28 degrees east. The following channels are available: Sky channel 794 - Deutsche Welle TV (German/English), 795 - TVEi (Spanish)799 - TV5 (French). Euronews is also available at Sky channel 509. The language on this channel can be changed at via the "services" menu (go to "system setup" and then "language and subtitles.") The audio for this channel can be French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese or Russian. Details of which satellites broadcast what are available here: http://www.lyngsat.com/

Friday 27 June 2008

Germany for kids


Philip, an 11-year-old boy from Frankfurt, guides readers around webpages and gives information (in English) about his country, friends, school, hobbies and what life is like in Germany. Click here to go to the website: http://www.germany.info/relaunch/culture/life/G_Kids/

French and German websites for children



The Institut National de la Consommation (INC), France, and Medienpädagogische Beratungsstelle, at the NÖ Landesakademie (LAK), Austria, analysed French and German language children's websites for the CISA project, co-financed by the EU Internet Action Plan. You can access the list of websites here: http://www.net-consumers.org/policy/topsites.htm

Thursday 26 June 2008

Call for GCSE languages regrade


Head teachers and language experts say it is harder to get good grades in modern languages than other GCSEs. They are calling for exam grading in modern languages to be brought into line with other key subjects. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) says the system is unfair and is putting pupils off studying modern languages. You can read more about this here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7254744.stm

Wednesday 25 June 2008

SLN meetings


I've attended two very enjoyable SLN (Strategic Learning Network) meetings for MFL teachers in Wiltshire this week. The first was a lunchtime meeting of the West Wiltshire SLN run by Jenny Coldwell at Clarendon College. Jenny has put together an exciting Action Plan for the second year so I urge colleagues in the West Wiltshire area to get involved. Today I attended a meeting of the South Wiltshire SLN run by Sue Drake at Marlborough School. Alternative accreditation was the main agenda item today and information was shared about the CBLC, British Airways languages certification, FCSE and NVQ. There was also an interesting talk about early entry GCSE in one of the schools represented at the meeting. Sue has also put together an exciting Action Plan for 2008-9, so please get involved! The North Wiltshire SLN is run by David Wicks at John Bentley School in Calne. Coaching and developing the new MFL curriculum feature on the Action Plan for this area. If you work in a North Wiltshire school, be sure to send someone along to the next meeting!

Why study languages?


This website, http://www.he.courses-careers.com/languages.htm, contains some powerful messages on the importance of language skills and dispels a few myths at the same time! I've added a section called "Promoting Languages" to the weblinks on the right.

Tuesday 24 June 2008

Montréal


The city of Montréal could be an alternative to a French city if you're thinking of a cultural project on a location outside France. This website includes an impressive film as well as lots of information about this beautiful city. Click here http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/Accueil or on the link in the French website section.

MFL publishers


Some websites of publishers of MFL materials for schools can now be found in the "MFL publishers" section on the right - please scroll down. You can email me at pxl@abbeyfield.wilts.sch.uk with additions.

Monday 23 June 2008

Languages Work


The "Languages Work" pages on the CILT website offer MFL teachers a wealth of materials for promoting language learning. Click here: http://www.languageswork.co.uk/ . Under resources, you will find some materials including PowerPoint presentations including "Why study languages?" and a guide to languages and careers.

Euro 2008 à Gorseville


The number of "Gorseville" videos on Youtube continues to grow with this latest edition! Click here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RemccB-Uo6k

New MFL curriculum


I have set up a new list of websites related to the new MFL curriculum on the right. The ALL website page contains some particularly useful information. Click here http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/key-stages-3-and-4/subjects/modern-foreign-languages/index.aspx?return=/key-stages-3-and-4/subjects/index.aspx to go to the MFL portal, where you can download the revised Programme of Study and amended Attainment Targets.

Teachers.tv - MFL materials to use in the classroom


Teachers.tv not only has some excellent CPD material for teachers of MFL, it also contains videos to use in the classroom. The following programmes can currently be downloaded: Extra (French, German, Spanish), Hennings Haus, Chez Mimi and Aventuras Vascas. Click here http://www.teachers.tv/mfl or on the link in the general websites section. You will find the programmes amongst the programmes listed. All these programmes can be downloaded to your computer, but you will need to set up a (free) user account first.

Foundation Certificate of Secondary Education (FCSE)




The AQA examination board has introduced a new qualification - the FCSE - to bridge the gap between Entry Level and GCSE. This is a Level 1 qualification. One of the aims of the qualification is to promote uptake of MFL in KS4. Further details can be found here http://www.aqa.org.uk/over/qual/fcse.php or by clicking the link in the AQA section on the right.

Certificate of Business Language Competence (CBLC)




The OCR examination board (http://www.ocr.org.uk/) offers a vocational language qualification from Entry Level up to Level 3 in the CBLC. These qualifications are being offered successfully in a number of schools. Links to the Entry Level courses can be found in the OCR section on the right. They are available in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russsian and Japanese. At Entry Level, the CBLC is a 100% speaking based course, with four modules. The modules are assessed by a visiting examiner, at a time chosen by the centre.

Sunday 22 June 2008

Jacques Brel - Madeleine


This song by Jacques Brel is good fun and great for reinforcement of tenses!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRCBpMmhrgg.

Teachers.tv - MFL


Teachers.tv has a wealth of materials for MFL teachers. These can be downloaded if you have a (free) account. For CPD, this is well worth a look.
See the link on the right.

Why German is for you

A short video in which young people say what has motivated them to learn German. The video is from http://www.goethe.de/INS/CA/lp/prj/wlg/vrl/wgy/enindex.htm. A link to the Goethe Institut appears on the right. This site and sites from its offices around the world provide very useful materials for promoting the German language.

Schnappi, das kleine Krokrodil


My pupils enjoy this song and video. Even the older ones!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3FG4EOgyU

Why learn a foreign language?


A short video showing one benefit of being able to speak a foreign language! I shall be adding more videos promoting language learning in the future. If you know of any, please get in touch!