HE sector work to raise demand for languages

Making Foreign Languages an Option - Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Salford

This project aims to increase the take-up of MFL at GCSE and beyond among pupils in greater Manchester schools. Over 600 pupils a year attend a full day of activity, including lessons in two modern languages, games, quizzes and talks about student life. Specialist teaching material has been developed for the project with the aim of enhancing vocabulary and grammar for year 8 and year 9 learners and to give a taste of a second language 'new' to the pupils.

Further details

Aimhigher Kent and Medway project - University of Kent and Open University

This project emphasises the value of families in promoting language learning. It is the result of an Aimhigher partnership between the University of Kent, the Open University, Brockhill Park School and the Folkestone School for Girls. Participants were selected year 8/9 students and their families.

Further details

Outreach and aspiration raising in the North of England - various institutions

The University of Manchester runs a 'Shared World' scheme, in which foreign undergraduates visit local schools and colleges to assist in language lessons, and act as ambassadors for the university. It also runs language workshops for year 12 and 13 students, and an 'Insight into Languages' programme for students in years 10 to 12. These are based in the university's language centre.

Edge Hill University runs 'funded teacher taster courses'. These are designed to enable participants to reach well informed decisions about whether teaching languages is, or is not, a career they wish to pursue. The course is a chance to spend a day in school observing teachers in practice.

Northumbria University, through its Division of Modern Foreign Languages, offers one-day events for students of Languages at AS or A2 level wishing to improve their background knowledge of the country by attending lectures and activities in French, German, Russian or Spanish; taster days; and masterclasses (to hear lectures in foreign languages, learn up-to-date information about topics relevant to school work, improve listening skills and practise oral skills).

For more information contact HEFCE's north institutional team.