West Midlands resources
The Resources page of the Routes West Midlands website is being continually updated. The resources available here are used during our events, and some are provided by teachers in the area. If you have some resources you’d like to share with us, or you have any comments about the resources available, we’d love to hear from you – contact us at routes@aston.ac.uk
Inspiring a new generation of language learners
To learn a little bit more about the work Routes West Midlands does, take a look at our introductory video by clicking on the 'Intro' tab above.
"How to..." guides
Thinking of holding a language event at school but don’t know where to start? We have created "How to..." guides from our most popular events to help you replicate them back in school. Each guide contains a full description of how to run the event including essential considerations, some sample programmes and task lists to give you an idea of what needs to be done and how to plan out the day. We also have some workshop ideas and resources which can be adapted for use with any language. You may find some the activities can be adapted to deliver during class time rather than as a formal event - please feel free to use these guides as you wish!
With thanks to Aston University staff and students and other partners for their input.
- "How to..." guide for planning a Language Day
- Language Day resources - French, German and Chinese
- "How to..." guide for planning an Animation workshop
- Animation workshop resources
- "How to..." guide for planning a Formula One themed event
- Formula One event resources
- "How to..." guide for planning a Japanese Taster Day
- "How to..." guide for planning a Japanese Martial Arts event
- "How to..." guide for planning a Product Design Day
- Product Design Day resources - Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C1, Appendix C2, Appendix D, Appendix E, Appendix F
____________________________________________________________________________________
A-level recordings
We have been working hard with Foreign Language Assistants (FLAs) in the area to produce recordings related to the A-level curriculum. The recordings are natural unscripted dialogues between natives and are transcribed. The FLAs also produced gap fill activities and question exercises to accompany the recordings. With thanks to colleagues at The Sixth Form College Solihull for their input.
- French recordings and exercises
- Extra French exercises developed by The Sixth Form College, Solihull
- Spanish recordings and exercises
- German recordings and exercises
____________________________________________________________________________________
FLAGS (Foreign Language Awareness Groups) resources
We are no longer able to provide our tutor led FLAGS groups as in previous years but staff at University of Birmingham have put together resource packs for schools to use on their own for Chinese, German and Japanese. Have a look here and click on each chapter to see what's available.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Active Languages resource booklet
This booklet contains detailed case studies of six West Midlands schools who were awarded funding to pilot projects combining sports and languages in the curriculum.
The schools involved have worked hard over the last year to turn their plans into reality and to raise the profile of languages by encouraging pupils to use languages in new contexts, giving them a new purpose and meaning. Their commitment and dedication has resulted in creative and interesting projects which have produced amazing results they are now keen to share.
The schools have provided information on the reasons for developing their projects, how they went about it and the amazing outcomes. Each school has been able to imbed their Active Languages project into the curriculum with plans to develop further and include other subjects in coming years. If you are looking for new ways to motivate learners, we hope you will find inspiration, resources and support to get started in this booklet.
A pdf version of the booklet can be downloaded here. Accompanying resources are available here and have a look here to see CTC Kingshurst Academy's project in action!
Hard copies of the booklet are also available, if you would like one, please contact us at routes@aston.ac.uk
Cheerleader photograph on page 10 copyright Andy Vowles 2010.
______________________________________________________________________________
Speak! DVD
University of Wolverhampton in conjunction with This Can Motion Pictures have produced a 15-minute film with 14 follow up episodes featuring a teenage boy and girl – Ben and Kalvinder – who dropped languages after GCSE but now have the chance to win a summer Work Experience placement in Paris, Barcelona or Berlin.
The message is familiar – languages are fun, they help you get a job, working at languages brings rewards – but the approach is new, and bang up-to-date. The initial film sets the scene where viewers get to know the characters and watch them interact with each other on Facebook. The follow up short films allow viewers to find out what happens next as the winner takes up their placement abroad. The short episodes can be shown during lessons or watched at home and each one has additional resources including lesson plans, vocabulary and ideas devised by local teachers.
Given the growing numbers of teens who frequently visit social networking sites and studies showing that an average teenager spends 31 hours online each week, this project aims to add some educational content and linguistic motivation to pupils’ online activities.
The DVD and accompanying resources can be access here. Limited numbers of hard copies are available, if you would like one, please contact us at routes@aston.ac.uk
_______________________________________________________________________________
Opportunities for Language Learning - a Guide for Students and Parents
The booklet contains an outline of the different options givinging specific examples and illustrative case studies. The Teachers' Notes which accompany the booklet give some ideas about how to use this resource to help communicate the message to Sixth Form students in the process of making their future study choices.
Copies of the booklet and Teachers' Notes are being sent to all schools with Sixth Form and colleges in the West Midlands in early November 2009. You can download a PDF copy here or contact us at routes@aston.ac.uk to request a hard copy.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Cross curricular activities
If you are looking for ways to combine languages and business, the Regional Language Network has a selection of resources and case studies from their Business Language Champions scheme. You can find their Resource Bank here
Youth Sport Trust can provide help and guidance for schools wishing to raise the profile of languages using sport. Visit the website to register and access their resources.
To develop motivation for languages amongst your music loving students, have a look at our article which recently appeared in Way 2 Go magazine for some ideas and inspiration.
If you're planning to bring a school group to the famous Frankfurt German market in Birmingham, make sure you check out the fantastic resources produced by Birmingham City Council. Click here to view and download.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Language Champions
We have collected a range of inspirational career profiles of people who have studied languages at university or who now use languages in their day to day jobs. Click here to find out what these people have to say about the benefits of their language skills in the world of work.
