Edinburgh Language Ambassadors: an overview

05/11/10

Angela Gayton

angela@ling.ed.ac.uk

Summary

• Inspiration – why do we need it?

• Aims

• Structure of organisation

• Events so far

• Future plans

Inspiration

• My own PhD research– The Scottish situation regarding language learning

• An existing scheme at English universities– Run by Routes into Languages – Differences, however: no emphasis on recruitment

Aims

• Generate more interest for language!• Offer a broader languages provision than usually

possible• Open up language learning to pupils who may not

necessarily see it as something worthwhile to them

• Provide role models who are close in age, who love learning/using languages

• MAKE LANGUAGES MORE VALUED IN SCOTLAND

Structure

• I coordinate, so am responsible for recruitment– Language faculties– International Office

• Undergraduates (not only studying foreign languages)• Recent graduates

• Ad hoc meetings aimed at preparation for specific activities

Structure (cont.)

• Collaborations: – SCILT– U of E’s Widening Participation department– U of E’s International Office

Events so far (1)

• Italian taster session (2 groups of 20 P7 pupils)– Mind-mapping their impressions of Italy– Interactive presentation of the basics of the

culture/language

– Discussion of the two different ambassadors’ experiences of living in Italy

– Chorus of practicing the sounds in Italian, and the basic words and phrases presented

Events (2)

• French extension session (2 groups of 20 P7 pupils)– Drawing their existing knowledge of French

knowledge and culture in small groups– Ambassador discusses her experiences in the country

with the pupils

– Presentation of some more contemporary vocabulary than they would normally access in class

– Matching game: new phrases to corresponding images

You having a laugh ref?

Tu te fous de nous?!Tu te fous de nous?!

Come on you blues!Come on you blues!

Allez les bleus!Allez les bleus!

You look totally You look totally gorgeous in that!gorgeous in that!Tu as vraiment Tu as vraiment l’air canon!l’air canon!

Events (3)• Languages circuits afternoon

– 15 S1-2 pupils, broken into smaller groups to rotate around the 6 different language stations

– German X Factor– Chinese horoscopes– Italian art

– Arabic calligraphy– French famous people– Spanish cookery

Events (4) • Linguistics session

– 15 S3 pupils all studying for Standard Grade French– Translation activities

• French-English• French-Italian-English• English-Abma (inspired by a previous UKLO task)

– Aimed to make the pupils more confident in inferring overall meaning of a sentence/paragraph/text, without needing to understand every word.

• I gave the most expensive jotter to Michel.

• You sent the sweetest text to Sandrine.

• They climbed the most dangerous wall.

• She arrived in the most romantic town.

• We bought the ugliest mobile.

Section 1: Translations in FrenchSection 1: Translations in French

• Ils ont dIls ont décidé d’écrire le message le plus écidé d’écrire le message le plus romantique sur le mur de Benoit. romantique sur le mur de Benoit.

• Il a achété le cahier le plus laid. Il a achété le cahier le plus laid. • J’ai grandi dans la ville la plus dangereuse. J’ai grandi dans la ville la plus dangereuse. • Nous avons donné au prof le caramel au Nous avons donné au prof le caramel au

beurre le plus cher. beurre le plus cher. • Elle a pris l’autobus le plus laid hier. Elle a pris l’autobus le plus laid hier. • Tu as regardé le film le plus impolit. Tu as regardé le film le plus impolit. • Ils ont envoyé à Jean le texto le plus Ils ont envoyé à Jean le texto le plus

sanglant. sanglant. • J’ai porté le gilet le moins soigné.J’ai porté le gilet le moins soigné.

To eat/mangiare

• English – I eat– You eat– He/she/it/one eats– We eat– You eat– They eat

• Mangiare– Mangio– Mangi– Mangia– Mangiamo– Mangiate– Mangiano

• Compare the French and ItalianL’autobus le plus lentL’autobus il più lento

with the English

The slowest bus

• What are the differences in the word order?

• Le souris dangereux• Il topo pericoloso• The dangerous

mouse

• Les lapins dangereux

• I conigli pericolosi• The dangerous

rabbits

• La chèvre dangereuse

• La capra pericolosa• The dangerous goat

Events (5)

• Careers talk– 50 (approx.) S4-5 pupils – Panel set-up: 5 ambassadors representing

French, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic and Norwegian

– Pupils were able to pose questions relating to languages and careers

Events (6)

• French extension activity – 60 S1 pupils, divided among 4 ambassadors

– 4 activities consisted of:

• French X Factor• 20 questions• Cultural stereotypes• Role play

Future plans• Work with one state school consistently

– Tandem schemes with schools in the target language countries?

– Language clubs for lesser-taught languages? – Language assistants? – More careers events? – Longer-term art/drama/music/sport activities?

• Funding…?

Vielen Dank!

ありがとう

Merci beaucoup!

谢谢 Grazie!

ا شكًر�

¡Gracias!