Staffordshire Languages Group

Staffordshire Languages Group consists of representatives from 3 colleges, Keele University, Stoke on Trent City Council and a number of local schools, including Specialist Language Colleges.

The Group, which was awarded the European Award for Languages in 2002 for their pioneering work, came together in January 1998 to meet the two major challenges facing language departments, namely:

  1. The decline in the number of students taking languages post-16 and
  2. The lack of awareness of opportunities for continued non-specialist study of foreign languages.

 

Through collaboration and partnership, the Staffordshire Languages Group aims to devise practical strategies which will work in a local context.

The majority of their efforts are currently focused on how to motivate pupils to continue with languages at Key Stage 3 and with this in mind the Group has developed a range of high-quality promotional materials and events aimed at teenage students.

Promotional materials

Whats the Point DVD

  • ‘What’s the Point?’ – Professionally produced Video/DVD which takes a fast, impressionistic and humorous approach to learning languages. The Video/DVD has proved extremely popular in schools and colleges nationwide. To order a copy please contact Mandi Marks, Business and Enterprise Administrator, Clayton Hall Business and Language College, Newcastle under Lyme, on 01782 297560 or e-mail mmarks@clayton.staffs.sch.uk.

 

  • ‘It’s a small world…so why not talk to it?’ – Attractive and informative full-colour glossy leaflets and posters based on extensive market research with Year 10 and 11 students.

 

Language posters and postcards Language posters and postcards

  • Second set of posters and postcards commissioned from Newcastle College Art & Design students. Copies of these can be obtained from Miriam Mason, Centre for International Exchange & Languages, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG. Please telephone Miriam on 01782 733491 or e-mail cieladmin@keele.ac.uk.

 

language posters and postcards languages tshirt

  • Activities to promote post 16 language learning locally. These have included a ‘Languages in Drama’ event, a ‘Languages for Business’ event, ‘Jeux sans Frontières – Spiel ohne Grenzen’, and three Restaurant events in French, German and Spanish.

 

  • Christmas Cards - commissioned from local schools with an international theme. To find out more about these materials please contact Sue Wakefield-Morrey on 01782 297560.

Back to top

 

Events

Routes into Languages Event at Keele University - 6 November 2007

Attendees at the 6 November RINTOL event

Year 8 pupils from 14 different local schools, their families and teachers took part in an event at Keele University on 6 November. The programme included talks and powerpoint presentations, followed by a buffet of German food.

This was the first event in a three-year project organised by the SLG, in conjunction with Keele University, as part of the West Midlands Consortium for Routes into Languages (RINTOL). The aim is to promote modern foreign language learning in the region and the focus of this introductory evening was on the use of languages in employment and the enjoyment of learning a foreign language.

The welcome address from Chris Phillipson (Pro-Vice-Chancellor) was followed by an interactive powerpoint presentation, using coloured voting cubes that engaged the children in a guessing game about languages in the UK and worldwide. Two representatives from local businesses talked about the role that their knowledge of foreign languages has played in their careers, and how this has opened up opportunities for them and enriched their lives, professionally as well as personally.

Two former Keele language graduates also spoke about how they use their language skills at work and emphasised the increased opportunities to travel.

The second phase of this event, to be held in April, is a German meal for these same pupils and their parents, after which the pupils stay overnight and then participate in language workshops the following day.

Back to top

Further information

To find out more about the Staffordshire Languages Group please contact:

Sue Wakefield-Morrey
Clayton Hall Business and Language College
Clayton Lane
Clayton
Newcastle under Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 3DN

Tel: 01782 297560

back Back to Partners