Triple Literacy: Why do we need to 'make the link'?

In June 2005, CILT Cymru approved 16 applications from schools/clusters that wished to be involved in a 1 year action-research project in the field of 'triple literacy'.

Please click here to see a full list of schools who are involved in the project.

Grants of a £1000 were available for the successful schools who began the Project in September 2005. Progress reports will follow. You will find below the background to the Project, and the timetable involved.

Project Background
Why do we need to 'Make the Link?'
As outlined in 'Languages Count' the Welsh Assembly Government strategy for MFL, Welsh youngsters who start learning a foreign language at the age of 11 should get off to a flying start, as many are bilingual, or have been learning a second language from the age of 5. They therefore have a foundation of language learning that should make them more receptive to third or fourth languages.

However we feel that too often, teachers of Welsh, English and MFL at secondary level have been working in isolation, thus failing to capitalize on the good work that is going on in all three subject areas as regards developing pupils' literacy skills, as well as the earlier work that has gone on at primary level.

ACCAC addressed this issue in its 'Making the Link' guidance document, first published in 2003. It emphasized that a more integrated and transparent approach to language teaching would benefit all pupils aged 5-14 (for example by using the same terminology in the various languages to describe the same parts of speech), and would also allow teachers to take account of their pupils' prior learning. Furthermore, the guidance allows teachers to become aware of National Curriculum Programmes of Study for Welsh, Welsh 2nd Language, English and MFL, thus recognising the considerable similarities that exist between them.

CILT Cymru has therefore decided to sponsor action-research work on developing literacy skills across the curriculum. A useful by-product of the proposed joint activity between language teachers at secondary level would be to raise awareness of the need for language skills across the curriculum, thus boosting the status of languages within secondary schools. In primary schools, where there is already a whole-school approach to literacy, we would like to see further collaboration with secondary schools to ensure a smooth transition for young language learners. For primary schools involved in the WAG KS2 pilot for MFL, there will be opportunities to further develop strategies which allow learners to make links and gain a greater understanding of the way languages work.

Project Timetable

What's in it for the schools involved?

• Support and guidance from a CILT Cymru project officer who will remain in regular contact with the participating school(s);
  
• Participation in a prestigious, Assembly-funded national project with substantial benefits for both staff and pupils involved;
• Access through CILT Cymru to other partner agencies, such as ACCAC, ESTYN and the Welsh Language Board;
  
• The raising of the status of languages within the schools and their communities;
  
• Enhanced links with partner schools (feeder primaries or associated secondary schools);
• Improved transition arrangements between KS2 and KS3;
• Free CPD courses on literacy issues provided by CILT Cymru;
  
• Free access to the European Languages Portfolio, together with an opportunity to engage in pioneering developmental work;
  
• Improved literacy skills for pupils;
  
• Enhanced cross-curricular cooperation;
  
• A grant of £1000 per school/group of schools to spend on anything concerned with the project;
  
• An opportunity to access further sources of funding.

What's in it for CILT Cymru?

• Raising the status of languages throughout Wales, putting them on an equal footing with science and technology;
  
• A broader knowledge of languages departments in Wales and a widened network of contacts;
  
• The breaking down of barriers between teachers of different languages, and between the primary and secondary phases of education.

If you would like more information on this 'Making the Link' action-research project, if you are already carrying out similar work in your own school, or if you would like to be involved in future work on this field, then please contact Richard Parsons.

Richard Parsons,
CILT Cymru,
Cambrian Buildings,
Mount Stuart Square,
Cardiff CF10 5FL

Tel: 02920 480137
E-mail: richard.parsons@ciltcymru.org.uk