community languages in wales supporting mother-tongue literacy

Community Languages in Community Languages in WalesWalesSupporting mother-tongue literacy

Multilingual WalesMultilingual Wales2005 survey – 98 languages +

English and WelshSome areas/schools have few or

no pupils with CL

Making Languages CountMaking Languages Countrecognise and develop the knowledge and skills in home and community languages held by many learners.

classroom guidance and case studies on good practice to be provided for schools by April 2011

http://www.ciltcymru.org.uk/community-languages/

SurveySurvey report report

The provision of support for community languages in secondary schools in Wales

http://www.ciltcymru.org.uk/community-languages-report/

Main findingsMain findingsPockets of good practice –

innovative local partnerships, schools with strong ethos of support for CL

Schools that provide opportunities for CL accreditation report positive impact

However,However,Many schools remain unaware of

the cognitive benefits of supporting first language

Provision of support inconsistent and tends to be outside the curriculum

Supporting CL usually seen as subordinate to a school’s role of supporting EAL

Also,Also,Issues around accreditationSchools unaware of where to

access support and training

Issues and barriers to Issues and barriers to provisionprovisionSmall/unpredictable pupil

numbers Limited teaching resourcesWide variations in ability

amongst groupsLimited access for CPD for

teachers/tutorsFunding for tutors

Good practiceGood practicePartnership workingLocal authority support for

teachers/tutorsUse of peer supportWhole-school approaches to CL:

◦Cross-curricular work◦Database of CL-speaking volunteers

Lessons of the reportLessons of the reportAwareness-raising of the value of

supporting MT literacyHighlight the value of providing

accreditation of pupils’ CL skillsGuidance on accreditation Development of CPDSignposting to existing resources

and sources of help

What can we do?What can we do?Contact your Ethnic Minority

Achievement Service for advice and guidance

Involve parentsUse bilingual classroom assistants

where possibleRun language clubsProvide dual-language reading

resourcesBuild links with local community schools

and groups

What can we do?What can we do?Provide opportunities for pupils

to gain accreditation in their first language

Involve your MFL and EAL department to support teaching

Use older pupil volunteers as language buddies

Ask CILT Cymru for support