‘Adopt a class’ is a scheme which buddies a Language Undergraduate Student with a class while the Student is on their year abroad.
The Year 8 class will meet the student this academic year so that the Student can introduce themselves. They will talk about what it is like to study languages at University, their motivation for choosing languages and the adventure on which they are about to embark – their year abroad!
While the Student is abroad, they will keep in regular contact with the class (now in year 9) by emailing, sending postcards and other resources in the target language. This contact with the country will hopefully bring the language alive for the pupils and show them the relevance of learning a language. It will hopefully encourage the pupils to seriously consider a language as an option for KS4.
When the Student returns from their year abroad, they will return to the school and will deliver another presentation to the buddy class about their experiences abroad and will answer any questions that the pupils might have.
As the Language Teacher and point of contact, you will have the opportunity to meet your ‘Buddy Student’ and discuss any special topics that might be studied so that relevant resources can be sent back. As facilitators of this buddy scheme, Routes Cymru will draw up a contract which the student will sign committing them to a pre-agreed number of pieces of correspondence. It is also important for the Language Teachers to provide feedback to the Students. The Students are not trained teachers and appreciate guidance throughout the year with regards to the resources that they are sending.
It is important that you note that the Students have not been CRB checked. However, Students will never correspond directly with the pupils. The Language Teacher will act as the point of contact on behalf of the class.
There is limited space on this scheme and places will be awarded on a first come, first served basis for each language. We are able to offer links for classes studying French, German, Spanish and Italian.
If you would like to register to be a part of ‘Adopt a Class’, please download the registration form below and email it back to routescymru@ciltcymru.org.uk by FRIDAY, 15th APRIL 2011.
