Brighton and Hove Local Authority
Primary Languages conference
Read Judy Hawkers' article "Storytelling for languages, literacy and global citizenship" on the CILT Primary Languages website.
Background to the article
Judy Hawker, Primary Languages Consultant for Brighton & Hove has been working closely with Brighton Peace and Environment Centre to support Primary schools to embed the Global Dimension in their language teaching as they begin to deliver languages across the school. One of the five cohesive strands of Primary Language teaching is 'Intercultural Understanding' and we are keen to ensure best practice in this area.
A conference was held in March 2009 for 50 Primary Language teachers in Brighton and Hove which focused on exploring the Global Dimension within Primary languages. International storytellers provided inspiration for the day and workshops looked at how to avoid and challenge stereotypes and assumptions and recognise the complexity of cultural diversity both within the UK and within countries around the world.
Practical activities and examples of delivering French and Spanish with a Global Dimension were explored with teachers who are currently delivering Primary Languages in their schools.
Details of the project were presented to a National meeting held by CILT, the National Centre for Languages, for regions working on projects looking at how Primary Languages can improve children's literacy.
"It is vital for children in an increasingly interdependent world not only to have the means to communicate internationally but also the language skills to do so. Language learning allows children to access countries and cultures in a way which embodies respect and empathy and allows children to recognise their place as world citizens."
Judy Hawker, Primary Languages consultant, Brighton and Hove
April 2009
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