Language and Culture

1. Language and Culture 1 German students go to Llanrwst to learn about Welsh language: the history and language policies of a minority language 2 British students learn about Modern language learning and general (teen) issues in Germany from German guest speakers

2. Year 11 German Students visit Canolfan Menter Iaith in LLanrwst

3. Part of a teaching unit about language policies: the pre-IB course prepares them for the literature and language course in Year 12 and 13 Preparation A short introduction to Wales including maps on counties, landscape and linguistic coverage + behaviour code for school trips On the day 2 hours work shop on Welsh Language and History and the work of the Language Centre Tour of the town Afterwards Each student writes a short article for a language magazine

4. Year 8 Language Café

6. Part of promoting MFL with the students and within the school: The management has cut down MFL by about 20% - this adds to the general under-appreciation of language learning and foreign cultures During this one-lesson-session the Pre-IB students from Year 11 came to talk about their own language learning experiencesin German and the Year 8s took some notes Afterwards they went on a 5 minute stop at each Café table to chat in German or English to collect more information Preparation: 1: year 11 to conduct this lesson as co-educators 2: year 8 vocabulary briefing on the field of languages, re-cap on school and describing yourself Afterwards: Students write a short article in English for a language magazine

7. Objectives and Outcome • Year 11 • In theory • A better understanding of minority language issues and policies • From dealing with a specific example • A better knowledge of the country in which they spend • up to three years • In practice • Generally achieved the objectives, BUT time too short, • e.g. tour of the town lasted 10 minutes • For the future : • Do more of the sort, • e.g. visit town festival “Llanast Llanrwst” in autumn

8. Year 8 • In theory • Raise students awareness of own language learning attitude by finding out more about another culture’s attitude • *practise target language and learn from peers • *experience the advantages of approachable native speakers of a similar age within the school environment • In practice • Objectives generally achieved BUT attitude issues will need constant approach rather than one-off events • Additional outcome • Year 11 started to reflect about their own MFL attitude • For the future • Involve German native speakers more often on a more low-key basis