Edinburgh Language Ambassadors: an overview 05/11/10 Angela Gayton

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1 Edinburgh Language Ambassadors: an overview 05/11/10 Angela Gayton angela@ling.ed.ac.uk

2 Summary Inspiration – why do we need it? Aims Structure of organisation Events so far Future plans

3 Inspiration My own PhD research –The Scottish situation regarding language learning An existing scheme at English universities –Run by Routes into Languages –Differences, however: no emphasis on recruitment

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5 Aims Generate more interest for language! Offer a broader languages provision than usually possible Open up language learning to pupils who may not necessarily see it as something worthwhile to them Provide role models who are close in age, who love learning/using languages MAKE LANGUAGES MORE VALUED IN SCOTLAND

6 Structure I coordinate, so am responsible for recruitment –Language faculties –International Office Undergraduates (not only studying foreign languages) Recent graduates Ad hoc meetings aimed at preparation for specific activities

7 Structure (cont.) Collaborations: –SCILT –U of Es Widening Participation department –U of Es International Office

8 Events so far (1) Italian taster session (2 groups of 20 P7 pupils) –Mind-mapping their impressions of Italy –Interactive presentation of the basics of the culture/language –Discussion of the two different ambassadors experiences of living in Italy –Chorus of practicing the sounds in Italian, and the basic words and phrases presented

9 Events (2) French extension session (2 groups of 20 P7 pupils) –Drawing their existing knowledge of French knowledge and culture in small groups –Ambassador discusses her experiences in the country with the pupils –Presentation of some more contemporary vocabulary than they would normally access in class –Matching game: new phrases to corresponding images

10 You having a laugh ref? Tu te fous de nous?!

11 Come on you blues! Allez les bleus!

12 You look totally gorgeous in that! Tu as vraiment lair canon!

13 Events (3) Languages circuits afternoon –15 S1-2 pupils, broken into smaller groups to rotate around the 6 different language stations –German X Factor –Chinese horoscopes –Italian art –Arabic calligraphy –French famous people –Spanish cookery

14 Events (4) Linguistics session –15 S3 pupils all studying for Standard Grade French –Translation activities French-English French-Italian-English English-Abma (inspired by a previous UKLO task) –Aimed to make the pupils more confident in inferring overall meaning of a sentence/paragraph/text, without needing to understand every word.

15 I gave the most expensive jotter to Michel. You sent the sweetest text to Sandrine. They climbed the most dangerous wall. She arrived in the most romantic town. We bought the ugliest mobile.

16 Section 1: Translations in French Ils ont décidé décrire le message le plus romantique sur le mur de Benoit.Ils ont décidé décrire le message le plus romantique sur le mur de Benoit. Il a achété le cahier le plus laid.Il a achété le cahier le plus laid. Jai grandi dans la ville la plus dangereuse.Jai grandi dans la ville la plus dangereuse. Nous avons donné au prof le caramel au beurre le plus cher.Nous avons donné au prof le caramel au beurre le plus cher. Elle a pris lautobus le plus laid hier.Elle a pris lautobus le plus laid hier. Tu as regardé le film le plus impolit.Tu as regardé le film le plus impolit. Ils ont envoyé à Jean le texto le plus sanglant.Ils ont envoyé à Jean le texto le plus sanglant. Jai porté le gilet le moins soigné.Jai porté le gilet le moins soigné.

17 To eat/mangiare English –I eat –You eat –He/she/it/one eats –We eat –You eat –They eat Mangiare –Mangio –Mangi –Mangia –Mangiamo –Mangiate –Mangiano

18 Compare the French and Italian Lautobus le plus lent Lautobus il più lento with the English The slowest bus What are the differences in the word order?

19 Le souris dangereux Il topo pericoloso The dangerous mouse Les lapins dangereux I conigli pericolosi The dangerous rabbits La chèvre dangereuse La capra pericolosa The dangerous goat

20 Events (5) Careers talk – 50 (approx.) S4-5 pupils –Panel set-up: 5 ambassadors representing French, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic and Norwegian –Pupils were able to pose questions relating to languages and careers

21 Events (6) French extension activity –60 S1 pupils, divided among 4 ambassadors –4 activities consisted of: French X Factor 20 questions Cultural stereotypes Role play

22 Future plans Work with one state school consistently –Tandem schemes with schools in the target language countries? –Language clubs for lesser-taught languages? –Language assistants? –More careers events? –Longer-term art/drama/music/sport activities? Funding…?

23 Vielen Dank! Merci beaucoup! Grazie! شكرًا ¡Gracias!