Languages: Taking you further

1. Languages: Taking you further

2. Presentation Overview • Introduction • Let’s test your knowledge! • Why languages matter • The Scottish Baccalaureate in Languages: • What is it and how is it assessed? • Feedback from learners • What skills will you develop? • External endorsement • SCILT: who we are and how we can support you

3. It’s a multilingual world… Did you know there are 6,912 known living languages in the world? Test your knowledge, part 1…

4. How many people in the world speak these languages as their mother tongue? French A) Almost 400 million Arabic (all varieties) English B) 309 million Chinese(mandarin) C) 65 million Spanish D) 100 million German E) 206 million F) 876 million

5. Test your knowledge, part 2 – Closer to home Do you know how many languages are spoken by young people in England… 300 languages Scotland… 104 languages Wales… 98 languages Northern Ireland… 70 languages 8? 13? 19? 39? 70? 98? 104? 144? 251? 300?

6. How do we compare with our European neighbours? • How many pupils in other EU countries study 2 or more foreign languages in secondary school? • What is the percentage for the UK? • What percentage of pupils in the UK is not studying any foreign language?

7. Answers Question 1: 60% Question 2: 6% Question 3: 51%

8. What YOU need to know…(1) English is not enough! • English is one of the great global languages of the 21st century, but it will only take us so far. • Only 6% of the world’s population speak English as a first language. • 75% of the world’s population don’t speak any English. • We live in a multilingual, multicultural world. Our engagement with the non-English speaking world will remain superficial and one-sided unless we develop our capacity in other languages too. • In 2000 English represented 51% of language usage on the internet; by 2009 this was down to 29%. Steady growth in European languages and Chinese.

9. What YOU need to know…(2) “Language skills and an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment are also valuable in an increasingly globalised workplace. Foreign language proficiency adds significantly to a candidate’s portfolio of skills, not just in terms of conversational ability, but also general cultural awareness and sensitivity.” (CBI 2009) ‘In an increasingly competitive job market, it is clear that foreign language proficiency adds significant value to a candidate’s portfolio of skills, and can give them a real competitive edge when applying for jobs’ (CBI Education and Skills Survey, 2009)

11. Which languages?

12. Where are languages explicitly needed? • computer games production • construction • property management • engineering • tourism • hospitality • central and local government….. and many more. • IT • creative and media • retail • law • finance • business • energies and utilities • manufacturing

13. What ALL employers want • interpersonal skills • presentation skills • organisational skills • time management Language learning helps develop these transferable skills • team-working • oral communication • problem-solving • intercultural skills

14. But it may not be “explicit”…. •‘an international dimension’ •‘ability to build relationships’ •‘awareness of cultural differences’

15. The Scottish Baccalaureates in Languages Design specification Languages • Must include: • two eligible modern/classical Language Courses • English/ESOL/Gaidhlig Course • Mandatory components: • 2 AH Courses • 1 Higher Course • AH Interdisciplinary Project Unit (graded A,B or C)

16. Design specification • The Scottish Baccalaureates in Languages will be awarded at : • Pass or Distinction • Criteria for Distinction: • Grade A in one eligible Advanced Higher Course • Grade A in one other component of the Baccalaureate • Grade B or above in all other mandatory components

17. Advanced Highers Very significant and demanding qualification – “deep” learning Emphasis on analysis, research skills, independent study, extended essay-writing/scientific investigations Provide a bridge between classroom-based learning at Higher and self-motivated, proactive study at university UCAS has changed tariff scores to reflect the value HE places on AH

18. Interdisciplinary Project • Encourage you to: • apply your language knowledge in relevant but unfamiliar contexts • develop the generic skills needed for learning, employment and life • access different learning environments • Must show relevance of languages to: • Citizenship • Enterprise • Economic development • Sustainable development • Employability • You negotiate context and theme

19. IP - Assessment 5 mandatory pieces of evidence: - Project proposal - Project plan - Presentation of project findings/product - Evaluation of project - Self evaluation of generic/cognitive skills development • Undertaken in three stages: • - Stage 1 (negotiation and planning) • - Stage 2 (carrying out) • - Stage 3 (review and evaluation including own learning)

20. Sample IP Case Studies FL teaching methods in Scottish and French primary schools How foreign films shape Scottish audiences’ perceptions of other European nations and cultures Support for foreign students: Scotland vs. France Languages in international finance Created a play in French about AIDS and how it affects Francophone countries in Africa Developed e- magazine to support e-twinning project

21. What are learners saying? • “I’ve really enjoyed doing my project. All the self-evaluation involved has been especially interesting and useful since in Advanced Highers we rarely get the opportunity to step back and review our work. The freedom allowed by the template of the project has allowed me to cultivate my ideas with independence which will help prepare me for more independent work at university.” • “Personally I have really enjoyed the flexibility of this project as it has allowed me to combine my two main interests in the form of a project that doesn’t get in the way of my other school subjects. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning so many new skills and discovering new ideas which will be beneficial for future research and studies in university.”

22. My report writing and use of specific subject has become more sophisticated in English and Modern Studies. Also, my vocabulary and understanding of grammar has increased in both written and spoken Italian. • According to many of my teachers there has been a noticeable difference in my ability to use different research techniques (focus groups, questionnaires, ICT support and in literature). • Due to the nature of the project and the circumstances of my studying Adv. Higher Italian I have an increased ability to work independently and demonstrate leadership skills working in groups and with younger year groups. • I myself have noticed that whereas previously I tended to ask for help as soon as I encountered any problem, now I am more likely to independently find a logical solution.”

23. Skills Development Success in HE • Application and Analysis of ideas, knowledge and theory • Logical and critical thinking • Literacy and language skills • Numeracy skills • Personal and social skills • Learning skills • Synthesis and Evaluation • Vocational and practical skills • Scottish Bacc • Research skills: analysis and evaluation • Interpersonal Skills: negotiation and collaboration • Planning: time, resource and information management • Problem-solving/critical thinking • Presentation Skills • Autonomous Learning/self-evaluation

24. The interdisciplinary project is valuable for it will enable the potential applicants to universities to develop independent study skills and to develop project management skills closely related to their academic interests. • Dr Simin Abrahams, Senior Policy Officer, Universities Scotland Support from Higher Education

25. Support from Business • Turning to the languages baccalaureate, I must emphasise the value of multilingual employees to businesses […] Ensuring there are opportunities for those with language qualifications helps build competitive advantage in companies. • Iain McMillan, Director, CBI Scotland • If everything else is equal you are always going to choose as a business partner the people and organisation who communicate best with you. That is why I personally welcome the introduction of the Languages Baccalaureate. • Ron Hewitt, Chief Executive, • Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

26. Support from SCILT • Wiki forum ‘Bac-Chat’ • Discussions with pupils / teachers • Presentations to staff/managers/parents • Help with finding external partners or accessing research • Promotional events

27. SCILT: supporting the languages community Professional Development Research and Statistics Information Service Promoting Languages

28. Conclusion • The Scottish Bacc offers you a new and rewarding learning experience • There’s lots of external support for both you and your school • Whether it’s to further study or into work after S6, the Bacc will give you the edge • Taking your languages further will bring a whole range of benefits and open the doors to the world (and that goes for the scientists too….!) • So….A quote from Nelson Mandela….

29. Six Good Reasons for taking your language learning further… It’ll get you a job It’s exciting It gets you places You’ll meet loads of new people You’ll find out more about yourself You can enjoy new cultures In the words of Nelson Mandela….

30. Thank You – Please get in touch SCILT – Leading on Languages s.breslin@strath.ac.uk www.strath.ac.uk/scilt http://twitter.com/scottishcilt http://sciltedl.blogspot.com/