2011 - Modern Foreign Languages
Communication, Culture, Character
In response to teacher demand, we are delighted that Modern Foreign Languages has been added to the list of subjects offered by The Prince's Teaching Institute. This was possible thanks to generous support from ICAP plc, who donated a portion of their total revenue on their charity day (8th December 2010) to The Prince's Teaching Institute for this purpose.
The first MFL Summer School was held at Homerton College, University of Cambridge from Monday 27th - Wednesday 29th June 2011. The following high-profile academics participated in the event:
- Dr Bill Burgwinkle, Head of the French Department, University of Cambridge
- Dr Martin Crowley, Reader in Modern French Thought and Culture, Department of French, University of Cambridge
- Professor Nicholas Harrison, Head of the French Department, King's College London
- Dr Martin Ruehl, Department of German and Dutch, University of Cambridge
- Dr Sheila Watts, Department of German and Dutch, University of Cambridge
The aim of the Summer School was to generate discussion about the nature and purpos of teaching Modern Foreign Languages. The objective of the course was to promote more rigorous, ambitious and creative teaching of Modern Foreign Languages, and delegates were encouraged to influence their colleagues to do the same. In line with the PTI’s other courses, it aimed to achieve this objective by providing lectures that allowed teachers to re-engage with their subjects and by providing workshops where delegates could discuss the subject with their peers.
This residential event was open to Heads of Department (or their nominated representative who have curriculum responsibilty) from state secondary schools in England. The focus of the course was on the teaching of French, Spanish and German, and delegates also considered the teaching of other languages in schools.
Further details about the course, including the aims and objectives can be found by clicking here, or on the links on the left of the page.