We are working with colleagues in Durham to offer an opportunity to secondary schools/sixth forms (Years 10-13) to extend pupils’ experiences of different languages and cultures by hosting a junior language assistant (aged 16-17) from a French school. This is a supported placement and would be for two weeks in February.
Further details and the contact for expressing an interest are provided below.
Opportunity to host a junior language assistant
Durham County Council’s International Relations team works with the lycée in Amiens, which offers extra English language lessons to a number of highly motivated pupils. The Headteacher of this partner school has agreed that their pupils can visit England for up to two weeks during term time to further boost their language skills.
In return for accommodation with a host family, the pupils would be able to support Modern Foreign Language departments in the role of junior language assistant. This would be around helping with group work, undertaking recordings, research and offering conversation practice.
The proposal is as follows :
- Schools agree to host two pupils aged 16/17 for two weeks in February 2022 ; either 30 January – 12 February or 6 – 19 February
- The French pupils would be from the 1ère class ( 16/17 years)
- The French pupils are accommodated by DBS checked families of pupils at school
- French parents will cover the cost of school lunches and home to school transport
- In school, the French pupils follow their host’s timetable for 50% of the school week and act as junior language assistants for the remaining 50% of time
Each French pupil will report directly to a teacher in France who will be on call to respond to any questions or concerns posed by school or the host family. A code of conduct and behaviour agreement will be signed before any placement takes place.
Visits can only take place if we are satisfied that any COVID precautions are followed and that international travel is permitted.
Further opportunities
Should the UK pupils wish to undertake a similar visit to France, they would be accommodated by French pupils and, depending on time of visit, have the chance to visit a French school. It is not a prerequisite for participation that UK pupils travel to France or that they do so during term time.
This is a pilot and, if successful, the French school would like to develop further; perhaps sending more pupils for longer periods and at different times of the year.
Whilst there is no cash payment to host families, this is a great opportunity for our pupils to practise their language skills and build friendships with peers from France. The chance to have two junior language assistants in school for a fortnight also provides a fantastic resource for our Modern Foreign Language departments.
If a school wishes to host more than two pupils at one time or have two pupils during the first period and another two during the second, this would of course be possible.
Express an interest to host language assistants
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact:
Brian Stobie
International Officer, International Relations
Durham County Council
Email: brian.stobie@durham.gov.uk
Phone: 03000 268500
Brian will work with schools and with the parents/carers to minimise administration for colleagues and to fit around school calendars.