Language Futures shares approach at conference in Cambridgeshire
Language Futures, an innovative language learning programme that began life as part of a PHF Special Initiative, hosted its first conference in Cambridgeshire on 25 October 2012.
The conference, held at Linton Village College, introduced the Language Futures approach to over 50 teachers, school leaders and other interested parties, allowing them to contribute to the development of the Language Futures pedagogy and to speak with pupils, mentors, teachers and language coordinators that have been involved with the scheme to date.
The day also gave teachers already piloting Language Futures an opportunity to share their experiences of using the approach and consult on the project’s draft toolkit.
Language Futures, initially developed under PHF Special Initiative Learning Futures, is a highly personalised student-led language learning programme designed by Linton Village College. It gives students the opportunity to choose the language they want to learn and builds new learning relationships in and outside school in order to develop successful and motivated language learners.
This approach to language learning is rooted in the ‘4 Ps’ of engaging activities: students learn best when activities are Placed, Purposeful, Pervasive, and Passion-led. For further information on these principles, see ‘Learning Futures: A Vision for Engaging Schools’. A draft toolkit is being developed for language teachers who are keen to develop new approaches to language learning and teaching in their school.
Language Futures has grown into a significant multi-school pilot, working with young people aged 12-18 who are learning modern and community languages in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and North London. Schools who are interested in trialling the approach can contact Abigail Knipe to join the Language Futures community of interest, receive updates about Language Futures pilot schools’ activities, and book a place at the London conference on 15 March 2013.