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Edinburgh Language Ambassadors: an overview

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

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Edinburgh Language Ambassadors: an overview

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  1. Edinburgh Language Ambassadors: an overview 05/11/10 Angela Gayton angela@ling.ed.ac.uk

  2. Summary • Inspiration – why do we need it? • Aims • Structure of organisation • Events so far • Future plans

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Structure (cont.) • Collaborations: • SCILT • U of E’s Widening Participation department • U of E’s International Office

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. You having a laugh ref? Tu te fous de nous?!

  10. Come on you blues! Allez les bleus!

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

  12. 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

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. Section 1: Translations in French • Ils ont décidé d’écrire le message le plus romantique sur le mur de Benoit. • Il a achété le cahier le plus laid. • J’ai grandi dans la ville la plus dangereuse. • Nous avons donné au prof le caramel au beurre le plus cher. • Elle a pris l’autobus le plus laid hier. • Tu as regardé le film le plus impolit. • Ils ont envoyé à Jean le texto le plus sanglant. • J’ai porté le gilet le moins soigné.

  16. 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

  17. Compare the French and Italian L’autobus le plus lent L’autobus il più lentowith the English The slowest bus • What are the differences in the word order?

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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…?

  22. شكرًا Vielen Dank! ありがとう ¡Gracias! Merci beaucoup! Grazie! 谢谢

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