The idea behind the award-winning ‘Adopt a Class’ scheme is to buddy a language undergraduate, who is about to embark on their year abroad, with a year 8 class during the final term of the academic year. The student visits the school during this term to meet the class and talk about what it is like to study languages, their experiences with languages so far and how they have opened doors to them. The student then goes on their year abroad and keeps in regular contact with the class (now in year 9) by emailing, sending postcards, sending resources and writing blogs etc.
This contact with the country brings the language alive for the pupils and shows them the relevance of learning a language. The teacher and student discuss beforehand any special topics that might be studied so that relevant resources can be sent back. Following their return, the student then re-visits the class (now in year 10) to talk about their experiences and to answer any questions that the pupils may have. The hope is that this enthuses the pupils and encourages them to choose a language at GCSE level. Also, all correspondence will come through the teacher so the student and pupils will never be in direct contact.
We currently have 8 students linked with 8 schools in South Wales and many more linked with schools in North and Mid-Wales.
If you are interested in this scheme or any other that we run please contact Ani Saunders:
Email: ani.saunders@ciltcymru.org.uk
Tel: 029 20265408
