Spring 2013 - The Independent Schools' Modern Language ...

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From the ChairmanHow wonderful to see so many of you at St Peter’s, York! The content anddelivery of lectures was matched by the earnestness of the conversationsbetween delegates and, as ever, by the range of products on offer from theexhibitors. There can have been few teachers who did not find something ofinterest or of use from such varied fare as ‘ways to improve oral participation’from Amanda Barton, a glimpse of future examinations from Barnaby Lenonor an introduction to British Sign Language from Teacher of the Year,Amanda Smith. All of the conference offerings are summarised elsewhere inthis Newsletter. You can also find accompanying PowerPoints available asdownloads from the ISMLA website.Particular thanks for their organisational skills go to Mike Duffy (who hostedus as Head of Modern Languages at St Peter’s), Geoffrey Plow and DavidCragg-James – and in anticipation, our thanks to Robin Edmundson at City ofLondon School for Boys, who welcomes us on Saturday 1st February 2014(there will be no clash with BETT which has moved forward a week).No issue would be complete without some update on the place of MFL in thecurriculum – and here follow three important items – changes to the EBacc,the design of future GCSE and A level examinations and the Language TrendsSurvey.Changes to the EBacc - Recent changes to the EBacc mean that MFL nolonger find themselves inside the famous five of English, Maths, Science, aHumanity and MFL – but nesting amongst the three subjects that must betaken in addition to the compulsory English and Maths.Future GCSE and A Level examinations – We can only hope that numbersof those taking the new GCSE MFL examination will rise. You will probablyknow that the likelihood is that all the new GCSEs will become half a gradeharder and so some will claim that this will put it on a par with the IGCSEexaminations that have proved increasingly attractive to independent schools(my own included).We lament the reduction in the range of languages that can be examinedusing OCR’s excellent Asset qualifications – only French, Spanish, German,Italian and Mandarin remain.No languages teacher would think it right to see the decline of languages at Alevel that has occurred in recent years. There are very real dangers if MFLare seen as the preserve of ‘the privileged few’ – I understand that 60% ofA/A* grades come from pupils in independent schools. We would all list numerousreasons why we believe language learning is beneficial – though fewof us could manage the 700 listed at www.llas.ac.uk/700reasons .4
Language Trends Survey – You should be aware that the results of theannual national update on MFL become public at the end of March when the2012 survey is unveiled at the ALL national conference at Nottingham TrentUniversity - www.all-languages.org.uk/events/language_world/language_world_2013. Having read the draft report can I suggest that youwill want to read at the very least the (eight or so page long) executive summaryand either dip into or read the full report.What then should we do? My attempt, with ISMLA’s support, has been tostart a campaign under the Speak to the Future – the campaign for languagesbanner. I urge you to write to your MP and to ask them their opinionof the importance of languages and language learning to the UK. With theirconsent we then post your letter and their reply on the Speak to the Futurewebsite. Should they fail to reply we can post your letter – and their conspicuouslack of a reply. With option choices for GCSE and A level close athand you can encourage pupils to do the same. There are 560 MPs – wemanaged to contact over 600 of the 1600 prospective MPs at the last election.Whatever you may think about the value of language learning the recentEmployers Taskforce study estimated that UK plc loses out by some £7 billionyearly because of our lack of language skills. If ever there were a time tofight for languages for all, that time is now.Nick MairContributions to the NewsletterWe value all articles, letters or reflections in any form whichcontribute to enriching the debate about modern languageteaching in our schools. Contact the editor, Peter Langdale(plangdale@tiscali.co.uk).The Reviews Editor, Tom Underwood, would be happy to hearfrom anyone wishing to review books, websites and othert e a c h i n g m a t e r i a l s . C o n t a c t h i m a t T h o -mas.Underwood@ucs.org.uk if you are interested.5
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Page 7 and 8: Notes from the Editor’s Diary17th
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Page 20 and 21: • The development of new A level
Page 22 and 23: Thinking Outside the BoîteChanging
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Page 27 and 28: The Times Stephen Spender PrizeOnce
Page 29 and 30: EL FESTIVAL HISPANO DE TEATROINTERC
Page 32 and 33: British Academy Schools Language Aw
Page 34 and 35: LANGUAGE LABSNetworked Language Lab
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Spring 2013 - The Independent Schools' Modern Language ...

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