Spanish Day in Durham on 2nd April was attended by teachers of Spanish across the North East and was a brilliant introduction to the many classroom resources and the support available for teachers and an exploration of how to support transition between primary and secondary language learning and teaching and developing international links to enhance language learning and teaching.
If you could not attend, but are interested in accessing the presentations and resources, which include all the relevant links, click on the links below to download individual presentations with links or click here to access all the materials online.
Javier Ramos Lineres presented the wealth of classroom resources available to teachers of Spanish from the Spanish Embassy Education Department (Consejería de Educación) in Edinburgh and London. Click here to download the presentation, which includes links and information about:
- Primary level materials (stories, songs, Primeros Pasos teaching manual)
- Posters (online or hard copies)
- TECLA magazine and Acti/Espana for Spanish teachers and access to El País newspapers for secondary level
- Plantino Educa education online platform and veo en Español resources (audi visual materials – films, animations for ages 3 to 18+ with teaching guides)
- Information about the Professional Development programme for teachers of Spanish with activities coming up, including immersion courses in Salamanca and Burgos in July 2022
Click here to download the presentation by Craig Thomas from the Spanish Embassy in London about using culture in the primary classroom, using practical examples of activities that teachers can do, exploring Spanish festivals and culture and ways to engage children in fun learning.
Steven Fawkes’ presentation focussed on the transition between primary and secondary language learning, the need to reduce learners’ stress, build confidence and supporting teachers to plan for transition of learners between schools and maximise the positive aspects of transition and what they have already learned, what they can feel proud of and what they can look forward to as they move through the Key Stages. He also talked about teachers working together across schools to support each other, as well as Government and other recommendations about future language learning plans and guidance. Click here for the full presentation.
Brian Stobie (Durham County Council) presented on behalf of Vicky Gough (British Council). This presentation covered why learning languages is important for young people’s skills and futures, the decline in schools’ international engagement and what support is available for languages and culture in schools from British Council. It also focussed on why schools having international links is important, what kinds of activities can be part of these partnerships, as well as funding for international visits (Turing Scheme) and the new International Schools Award 2021-24, supported by British Council. Click here to download the presentation.