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All Wales Triple Literacy Conference 2007
To view and download presentations click on the school or speaker links.
Llanishen
High School (ppt)
Llanishen High decided to focus on lower ability learners of French
/ German. A target group of pupils were identified as having literacy
difficulties at the end of Year 6 by the feeder Primary Schools
and by Year 7 CAT’s tests in September. Parents received an
invitation for their children to participate in the Triple Literacy
Project. The MFL, Welsh and English Departments improved their links
and worked closely with SEN staff and 6th form volunteers. Schemes
of work were analyzed to highlight common features and strategies.
Outcome: It has been a very worthwhile project. A
wealth of materials has been created and the project has laid the
foundations of an effective cross-curricular approach. It has also
highlighted the significant contribution MFL and Welsh can make
in addressing literacy weaknesses in English. There has been a very
positive response from parents and staff have benefited greatly
from working with each other on common goals. |
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The MFL, Welsh and English Departments decided to create a colour
coded grammar booklet for use across KS3, including with SEN groups;
the idea being that pupils will assimilate words more easily if they
can link them to a colour / shape.
This booklet has been consolidated by the parallel use of whiteboard
presentations, as well as posters, thereby creating a colour coordinated
environment of visual reinforcement inside and outside the classroom.
Outcome:
The project has ensured that we have an inter-departmental approach
to help raise standards of achievement for all, including boys and
SEN pupils. Not only has it raised awareness amongst pupils about
grammar patterns but also fostered an appreciation of the advantages
of being able to speak different languages.
The booklet has provided the basis for the opportunity to create a
variety of classroom activities, including visual, hands on, listening,
speaking, reading and writing activities, which we plan to develop
further this year. |
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A starting point was to harmonize grammar content in schemes of
work for Year 7 across the MFL, Welsh and English departments. Also
during the first year of the project, “Me and my Area”
was chosen as a theme and lessons were carefully planned to target
common linguistic elements in the three languages. MFL teachers
also visited the primary schools to give Year 6 pupils a taster
of French. A number of animated visual resources have also been
produced which further highlight grammar structures and spellings.
Outcome:
A multi lingual video was produced by pupils in Year 7, talking
about their local area, and was presented to new pupils on their
first day at the Comprehensive. This event also included an afternoon
of French, English and Welsh lessons. The fact that pupils are trilingual
was emphasized and pupils had the opportunity to complete a trilingual
travel passport which included details about themselves.
Also, ever found yourself in a room full of people with a television
screen and ended up watching the screen? Well, a really great idea
has been to use the schools’ electronic notice boards to present
the animated visual resources in the corridors and recreation areas
instead of using posters in classrooms!
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| Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi This
school has also produced a grammar terminology booklet for use in
Welsh, English, French and German along with a series of display
materials focusing on developing pupils’ understanding of
grammar. This has been reinforced with starter and plenary activities
during language lessons using mini white boards. These activities
include pupils highlighting parts of speech in sentences and texts,
for example, counting the number of adjectives in a short paragraph.
Communicating effectively has been highlighted in Year 8 with pupils
performing oral presentations in language lessons, whilst carrying
out peer assessment.
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Ysgol Botwnnog
The focus for this schools' Triple Literacy project
was to raise awareness amongst KS2 and KS3 pupils of how "Languages
Open Doors" to them. (The MFL department has already developed
close links with the primary schools through its MFL provision
at KS2, where a member of the secondary MFL staff has been timetabled
to provide French lessons for part of the academic year.)
The pupils in Year 7 were given a task to come up with a short
drama production that would get this message across, write a script
and perform the production to Year 6 pupils in a grand tour of
all feeder primary schools. The work involved spanned several
departments and areas of the curriculum, including Drama and PSE.
The Welsh, English and MFL departments paid particular attention
to the similarities and differences between the languages during
lessons.
Outcome: The production was performed
to all the feeder primary schools in the summer term and an introductory
video was produced by a group of boys in Year 7 discussing the
importance of languages and their impressions of language learning.
The message has even spread to a national level as S4C came to
film the production and interviewed pupils for the Welsh language
program "Ffeil", broadcast on the 17th of July.
The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the message
has been received loud and clear that languages are not only fun
to learn but can truly open doors for you.
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| Machen
Primary School
This primary school
looked at programmes of study for English / Welsh 2nd language
and French and developed a coordinated approach towards teaching
themes (e.g. weather, days of the week) so that during lessons
children could be encouraged to make comparisons between the languages
/ recognize cognates etc. Language teaching methodology was also
a focus with the year 6 class teacher and the visiting French
peripatetic teacher observing each other, team teaching and sharing
language teaching resources. They also drew up a list of common
grammatical terminology, developed trilingual language displays
in classrooms and communal areas around the school and produced
a series of language games.
Outcome:
The trilingual vocabulary displays have proved to be a success
as a constant reminder and point of reference for the pupils.
The school has continued to broaden the use of language awareness
games and other resources to develop the pupils’ enthusiasm
and promote a positive attitude towards language learning.
“I thought it was fun finding similarities
between Welsh and French words” |
Newbridge
Comprehensive School
Newbridge Comprehensive School decided to focus on improving
pupils’ strategies for spelling and punctuation and to develop
reading skills. Time has been set aside during registration periods
to read in English / Welsh or French. A set of new French and
Welsh readers were bought for this purpose and a pupil log sheet,
already being used in the English department for recording books
read, noting new vocabulary and opinions was adapted for use in
French and Welsh. The language departments also developed a “Know
Your Grammar” chart for every pupil as a reference for their
written work and language lessons have incorporated activities
focusing on spelling sounds rather than just topic based vocabulary.
Outcome:
Through liaison with primary literacy coordinators we have produced
a chart of spelling sounds and a triple literacy booklet. We’ve
found that pupils generally read more and have improved their
English vocabulary. They have also developed their dictionary
skills, have learnt to identify cognates and similarities in 3
languages and consequently, are approaching texts in the target
language with more confidence and enthusiasm. The focus on spelling
sounds has especially improved pupils’ confidence when reading
aloud. Certificates and prizes are awarded every week to “The
Linguist of the Week” and we also organized a joint French
/ Welsh trip to Disneyland, Paris as a reward.
Know
your Grammar (pdf 64.9kb)
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Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni
Although this school has not been part of the CILT Cymru funded
action research project, the language departments in Ysgol Gyfun
Cwm Rhymni have created a “Triple Literacy Booklet”
for pupils, with common English, Welsh and French grammar terminology
as part of their whole school Literacy policy.
Copies of the Cwm Rhymni booklet can be obtained from CILT Cymru
by emailing nia.jones@ciltcymru.org.uk
(£3.50 inc.P&P) |
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