The Links into Languages programme has now closed. Please be aware that this page is no longer actively maintained and the information contained within it may be out of date.
Courses & Events
We offered a wide range of continuing professional development courses
Links Core Courses
The Links Core Courses address current issues for the languages community such as strategic leadership for languages in the primary and secondary sectors, transition and progression, engaging with the revised KS3 Framework, the GCSE and A Level specifications. These courses are supported by downloadable resources for sharing experience and good practice with other colleagues.
Online booking
Each of the ten Links Core Courses will run throughout each region during 2010-11. Dates for these courses are listed below. Register online to book your place.New dates are added all the time. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear which courses are running in a centre near you.
- Jump to courses for primary teachers in 2010/11
- Jump to courses for secondary teachers in 2010/11
- Jump to courses for Post-16 (Further Education) teachers in 2010/11
What's happening in your region?
More courses and events are available - please visit the Regional Centre pages for further information.
Primary teachers:
P01 Leading primary languages
Schools are expected to teach languages as part of the primary curriculum. In order to plan this into the school curriculum effectively and with maximum benefit for pupils it is essential to understand the wider context of Key Stage 2 languages. Understanding how and why Primary Languages have been developed nationally enables school leaders to make good local responses to providing entitlement to primary languages.
Implications for leadership and management are a key focus for the day, particularly in relation to developing the role of the subject coordinator. Delegates will analyse different curriculum models enabling them to make better informed strategic decisions about implementation in their own settings. There are activities to support curriculum leaders when completing the revised Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The course will also give you a wide range of opportunities to learn about the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages and its role at the heart of curriculum planning.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
P02 Integrating languages across the primary curriculum
Building an integrated approach allows teachers and pupils to explore learning in an innovative, creative and challenging way. It also gives pupils real purpose to their learning which is not only highly motivating but can boost achievement and improve behaviour. The integrated approach also enables gifted and talented learners to demonstrate learning at higher levels without being restricted by a developing grasp of the language taught.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
P03 Planning for sustained progression in languages
As schools are expected to teach languages as part of the primary curriculum, teachers, pupils, their parents or carers, and senior leaders will want to see progression not only within key stages but across key stages, particularly across Key Stages 2 and 3. Primary and secondary colleagues will be increasingly aware of the need to secure and recognise progression for all pupils, and will be looking for ways to work in much closer partnerships to enable acceleration in language learning in Key Stage 3 and beyond.
This course will give teachers the opportunity to consider different views of progression in the primary setting and beyond. Delegates will be shown how the Key Stage 2 Framework should be used as a progression tool and will discuss approaches to assessment against the framework expectations and outcomes. There will also be a sharp focus on the experience of Year 7 learners, their teachers and the potential impact of well managed transition.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
P04 Classroom strategies for teachers of primary languages
Understanding the context of the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages and how it is structured is an essential part of preparing your school for statutory provision of languages in the curriculum. Having a good repertoire of teaching strategies and ideas that are rooted in the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages is what most primary teachers want to develop. Knowing how to approach teaching and learning in the strands of literacy, oracy and intercultural understanding and developing links across the new areas of learning is new territory for many teachers and the practical sessions of this course address this very clearly.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
Secondary teachers:
S01 Leading languages, raising achievement
In this course delegates will discover how to make the case for languages across the whole school and beyond. Delegates will take away a whole host of ideas to promote languages to pupils and colleagues, plus a variety of resources to help them make the case. Delegates will also have time to think about the key ways in which they can help colleagues in your department get the learning right, something which is so vital to recruit learners beyond Key Stage 3. Delegates will also gain an overview of performance indicators for languages and have a chance to reflect on what difference these can make to improve the position of languages in your school. The attainment and engagement measures will be explained, and you will discover how GCSEs and alternative qualifications can contribute towards these.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
S02 Innovative curriculum design in languages
This course aims to help delegates to explore curriculum design in languages from a number of different, but related, angles, and clarify what kind of changes they would like to make at school through considering some examples of successful practice. Delegates will have the opportunity to share and discuss their ideas with colleagues.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
S03 The interactive classroom: moving classroom walls
In its most recent report on languages, Ofsted noted that there was still a need to develop a clear framework for ‘spontaneous’ use of the target language, as speaking remains an area in which many of our pupils struggle. With the focus of the day firmly on practical, tried and tested strategies, you will leave with a wide range of ideas to help your pupils becoming more motivated and confident when speaking, which could lead to improved attainment at GCSE.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
S04 The renewed Key Stage 3 framework: impact on learning
The Renewed Key Stage 3 Framework for Languages gives a practical structure to help teachers to secure and track pupils’ progression. This course will allow teachers time to consider it in context, to discuss ideas with other colleagues and to return to school with a clear rationale for how and why the Renewed Key Stage 3 Framework for Languages should be used. Teachers will benefit from the opportunities to consider how intercultural understanding can be integrated in a lively, practical way into their Key Stage 3 lessons and what impact it has on language learning.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
S06 Raising the bar at Key Stage 4
The GCSE has undergone massive changes in the last two years, providing students with more flexibility than ever and more chances to succeed. This has brought about differences in teaching and learning required in Key Stage 4 and caused teachers to reevaluate their practice during these vital two years. With speaking and writing now worth 30% each, the emphasis for teaching and learning has changed. This course will demonstrate how standards can be raised throughout GCSE to ensure maximum success for all.
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
Post-16 teachers:
FS01 Terrific teaching, long-lasting learning at A-level
The new A-level has brought about huge changes in the last two years, providing students with more chances to succeed and the opportunity to study cultural topics which meet their needs and match their interests. It has provided teachers with fresh challenges, seeking inventive ways to teach students to allow them to become independent language learners and ready for success.
The emphasis of the day will be firmly on what works well for A-level students. Delegates will leave with a wide range of ideas to equip students with skills for success. Practical, tried and tested strategies will be examined and many resources will be ready for use the next day! Consideration will be given to the different modules of A-level, analysing how to integrate teaching and learning to ensure that students develop in all skill areas. Examples of cultural topics will be demonstrated, including Schemes of Work which have been successful in the past. Snappy starters and plenaries will be trialled, showing delegates how these can help students think and become reflective language learners. If you are ready to breathe new life into your A-level lessons, this is the course for you!
Location and dates to be confirmed - please check back soon.
