Language-Today-Issue-35-May-2020

MY BEST 10
MY TEN
BEST
OUR BEST TEN MEMORIES
OF ALL@30
To celebrate the 30th. birthday of our Association we asked ten ALL members to recall something special that ALL
has brought to their professional lives over that time – an event that inspired them, an opportunity that helped
develop their own professional work, a person they met, an article they read, etc. Many of these opportunities are
still around so look out for them yourself, and if you have an ALL memory to share please send it to
info@ALL-Languages.org.uk and we will try to put it on the website.
(We got more than ten responses ! A longer version of this feature appears in the LT Extra area of the website.)
Clare Seccombe
In 2014 I got involved in creating the Writing module of the Key Stage 2 ALL Connect resources. This
really piqued my interest, and I have gone on since then to look in much more depth at writing, and
creating resources to support it, especially from the point of view of beginner Year 3 learners. This has
informed and changed my classroom practice, and, I hope, made the children I teach more confident
writers. So thank you, ALL, for getting me started on this journey!
ALL Connect resources are still available at https://allconnectblog.wordpress.com/
Clare’s blog: http://changing-phase.blogspot.com/search/label/writing
ALL welcomes articles, reviews and shorter blog pieces from members that can be shared with others. We
have volunteers ready to help with editing. If you have an idea, write it up now! and send it to info@ALL-
Languages.org.uk
Eva Lamb
I have been going to Language World since the very start of my teaching career and I have always
found it immensely enjoyable and inspirational. There has not been a year where I did not come
away with things that have changed or added to what I do in the classroom. This year was no
different.
I knew of the Stephen Spender Prize for Translation, but had never really considered it as
something that was relevant for me or my students. But then I heard Charlotte Ryland talk about
the work she and her team are doing with schools and how they engage with teachers like me
and students like mine. It was an eye-opener! What she said really caught my imagination. I left
determined that I would look into this some more. And then schools closed! I sent the weblink to
my pupils in Years 11 to 13, added a few of my own suggestions to get them started (including Paul
Celan’s “Corona”) and was wowed with what I got back in that last week of school.
What a find! What a way to engage my learners with the language I love!
And what a way to keep them going in these difficult times!
Charlotte writes about translation in this magazine.
Read about Language World 2020 here : https://www.kc-jones.co.uk/lw2020
Lisa Probert
My best memories from ALL are of all the wonderful people I’ve met. I’ve been a language teacher
since 1990, so ALL’s 30 years is also my 30 years! Being on the Council was an amazing honour and
gave me the opportunity to work with so many inspiring professionals. ALL members have kindly
judged our primary languages competition, advised us on how to set up and run our ALL Oxfordshire
branch, and delivered inspiring and practical CPD on Saturdays in Oxford, London or further afield.
Over the years I’ve attended fantastic Language World conferences where I’ve met lovely colleagues
on the ALL stall, been inspired, enthused and engaged by presentations and discussions, strutted
my stuff on the dance floor after the Dinner, caught up with old friends and made new ones. I feel
extremely proud to be an ALL member, branch chairperson and former Council member.
Look out for the annual notice of elections in your ALLNet message. Why not think about standing for
Council or another ALL role yourself? And do consider doing something in an ALL Local context:
https://www.all-languages.org.uk/about/community/local/
Rachel Aukett
As a languages teacher trainer, I
intermittently realise how lucky I am
working with enthusiastic, literary
linguists, passionate about sharing their
talents to change young people’s lives.
This gives me faith for our linguistic
future.
Languages classrooms are my happy
place, and ALL people are my people!
So, joy of joys, to become involved
with our wonderful association and be
able to feed my experiences back in
articles, briefings and proofreading is
quite simply life enhancing. Someone
joked: highlight of your career so
far? They weren’t wrong. Loving our
Association..
Rachel has recently joined the ALL party
more intensely by taking on a role with
Languages Today magazine. What
could you get involved with?
Sue Cave
After a conversation about volunteering at Language World 2019, the idea of organising a conference
for primary language teachers in the South of England was born. The objective was that it would be
an affordable event for all. I ran a Primary Hub already, but I had never organised anything on this
scale before! The inaugural Southern Primary Languages Show (SPLS) took place on a Saturday in
November 2019. There was a choice of 15 workshops presented by experienced primary practitioners
(many of them speaking at a conference for the first time), 80 attendees and 15 exhibitors. The
feedback from the event was extremely positive and although, as for any first-time project, there was
a lot to learn and it was inevitably time-consuming, it did convince me that it was worth repeating. I
would say to others with a big idea – talk about it! ALL will help you give it a go.
Would you like to support teachers in your region?
Get in touch with info@ALL-Languages.org.uk with your idea.
Nathalie Paris
A memorable moment for me was at
Language World in Newcastle, in 2015.
I attended a talk about French phonics
– this was before they became such
a focus, and before a lot of people
realised how important it is to teach
them. The presenter blew my mind
with her knowledge, enthusiasm
and energy – I queued up at the end
to thank her and tell her how eyeopening
and useful I thought her
presentation was. I have since had
the privilege to go and watch her in
school, and knowing her has greatly
influenced and impacted on my own
practice. Merci Nadine Chadier! Merci
ALL!
Who have you met, and been
influenced by, at a local ALL event,
or at the professional party we call
Language World Conference?
www.all-languages.org.uk
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