Language Teachers Praised for Excellence - Routes Into Languages

Language Teachers Praised for Excellence
Routes into Languages Cymru holds the first Excellence in Language Teaching Awards.
On Tuesday, 2 July 2013, teachers of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) came together for the CILT Cymru
annual conference, Language Wales. However, this year’s event offered a little something extra as it ended
with a celebration of excellent and inspirational teachers.
Routes into Languages Cymru, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, wanted to
showcase the excellent practice of teachers of MFL in Wales and so invited nominations for the following
categories:
Most Promising Trainee MFL Teacher 2013
Primary Modern Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year 2013
Modern Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year 2013
All nominations required an endorsement from the Head Teacher and the opinions of pupils and
colleagues were also taken into consideration.
A great number of nominations were received, each demonstrating how motivating and inspirational
language teaching is in Wales. The standard was so high, it was decided to create an additional Highly
Commended category.
The successful teachers were:
Most Promising Trainee MFL Teacher 2013
WINNER – Hollie Blurton, Ysgol Bryngwyn / Swansea Metropolitan University
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Clotilde Leseur, West Monmouth School / Cardiff Metropolitan University
Primary Modern Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year 2013
WINNER – Bruce McInnes, Coed Glas Primary School
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Bethan Williams, Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch
Modern Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year 2013
WINNER – Nia Rowlands, Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Helen Parry, Ysgol Uwchradd Glan Clwyd
The award ceremony was a wonderful celebration in which the conference delegates enjoyed video clips of
the winners’ language lessons and messages of endorsement from their pupils.

It is hoped that these will become an annual celebration so that the language teaching community in Wales
can continue to receive recognition for its excellent work.
ENDS
Press enquiries to: Ellie Jones, Routes Cymru Project Manager, email: ellie.jones@ciltcymru.org.uk, tel:
029 2026 5410
Interviews with Ceri James, Director of Routes Cymru are available on request from Ellie Jones.
Routes into Languages Cymru website: www.routesintolanguages.ac.uk/cymru
Notes for editors:
1. The Routes into Languages programme was developed by three organisations working in
partnership: the University Council of Modern Languages (UCML), the HE Academy Subject Centre
for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS) and CILT, the National Centre for Languages. The
Routes into Languages programme is coordinated by a team at the University of Southampton,
directed by Professor Michael Kelly. http://www.routesintolanguages.ac.uk/
2. Routes into Languages Cymru is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
(HEFCW).
3. Led by CILT Cymru in partnership with 10 universities across Wales, the specific aim of the Routes
into Languages Cymru project is to increase the take up of languages from school to university. It
encourages young people to have a positive attitude towards their language learning and promotes
languages as an essential skill.
4. CILT Cymru is funded by the Welsh Government and is managed by WJEC.