The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures collaborated with Routes into Languages Cymru to host two events to promote the visibility and uptake of languages in Welsh schools. Supported by the Global Futures Welsh Government scheme via GwE, the North Wales regional school improvement service, these events catered to both primary and secondary schools.
The events saw 110 Year five pupils and 151 Year eight and nine pupils participating from schools across North Wales: Ysgol Porth y Felin, St Brigid’s School, Ysgol Llanbedrog, Ysgol Cynfran, Ysgol Maes Owen, Ysgol Brynrefail, Rhyl High School, Ysgol Tryfan, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Denbigh High School, Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Ysgol Glan y Môr, St Brigid’s School, Prestatyn High School, Ysgol Castell Alun and Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen.
The enthusiastic pupils, now trained as International Languages Superheroes and Pupil Language Ambassadors, are ready to help promote languages within their schools.
The diverse range of activities included talks, language and culture tasters, and workshops tailored to different age groups. Highlights included training sessions, insights into the importance of languages in the working world, and cultural experiences such as Chinese calligraphy, Tai Chi and British Sign Language. These activities were conducted by representatives from Routes into languages Cymru, Sanako UK (providers of modern languages and interpreting technology solutions), the Centre of Sign Sight Sound, the Confucius Institute, and colleagues and student language ambassadors from the Department.
The primary school event also provided an opportunity for teachers from various schools to experience a toolkit developed by this project in alignment with the Curriculum for Wales.
Rubén Chapela-Orri, Routes into Languages Coordinator in North Wales and Spanish tutor at the Department, said, “Introducing international language learning from Year five is an opportunity to promote languages, cultures and the growth of an outward- looking international mindset in young people in Wales. Teaching these skills has clear economic and social advantages and promotes a more global outlook, particularly beneficial for pupils in more disadvantaged communities.”