Long gone are the days where shouting and speaking ... s l o w l y... were our main method of communicating in a foreign language and thankfully so!


With geographical boundaries practically non-existent it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognise how important learning a Modern Foreign Language has become not just for integrating diverse communities but also as an investment in the UK economy; where the knowledge of different cultures and languages have becoming increasingly important.


In response to future proofing our young people and our ability, as a country, to remain agile Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announced on the 9 September 2014 that “thousands of teachers will receive extra training and support to improve the teaching of foreign languages, thanks to £1.8 million of government money to fund a series of new school-led programmes.


Schools across England will teach the new, more challenging languages curriculum - including a new requirement for languages to be compulsory for children aged 7 to 11 years.” Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/ news/18-million-training-boost-for-language- teaching


Best route?


The new curriculum provides destination and direction however the roadmap you use is yours. One obvious choice is leveraging e-learning tools to help drive your goals and objectives forward. Did you see what I did there!


The success of using curriculum based software is evident at Hanley Castle High School in Worcester. Jacqui Burrows, Head of Modern Languages and Assistant Head enthuses “At Hanley Castle, we’re always on the lookout for ways to engage students through the use of language learning


technology and strive to be creative with our schemes of work for the languages we offer. The fact that Vocab Express, our choice of e-learning software, provides exam board vocabulary ensures that our students are always focused on learning vocabulary independently that is directly linked to their courses and is set at the correct level – it’s perfectly differentiated, providing higher tier lists to complement the more general ones. “


Measuring mileage?


“The reporting tool is invaluable in several ways; firstly in ensuring that students complete tasks set, giving teachers a clear view of who is learning which vocabulary and how long they are spending on it. When the students are aware that their usage is visible, they are more motivated to perform well. The scoreboards and usage charts also allow teachers to set regular, measurable targets for vocabulary learning and can form part of a focused intervention to help improve both listening and reading performance.


“We regularly track Vocab Express usage and map it against mock exam performance. Those students who use Vocab Express regularly perform better than those who don’t. “


Keeping the gas tank full


“Many of our teachers have weekly Vocab Express winners. Scores can be reset at the start of the new week, keeping students motivated and determined to beat their classmates to the top spot.


“The option to run our own competitions is a great new addition which we’ve already taken the opportunity to do, whilst the official Vocab Express championships are becoming key dates in our school calendar,


Global Challenge 4 - 10 March 2015


The League of Champions September 2015 (TBC)


 Advertorial for Vocab Express www.vocabexpress.com call 01392 35 75 30 email: info@vocabexpress.com


* https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-languages-progammes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-languages-progammes-of-study


the Global Challenge in particular is perfectly timed; being in the run up to exams, it re- focuses vocabulary learning at just the right point in the year.


we can definitely see that it is motivating students for whom vocabulary learning wasn’t always a top priority


“It’s always fascinating to see which students top the leader boards; we can definitely see that it is motivating students for whom vocabulary learning wasn’t always a top priority! Some of our more able students in particular look forward to the Challenges when all languages are opened up for them. They have been fascinated by the challenge of learning some more unusual languages. Some students gained scores in 12 different languages in the last round! Working as part of a language or school team and seeing Hanley Castle rise through the live scoreboards during a lesson is still exciting and extremely motivating for students.”


Jacqui Burrows is not alone in gaining proven results; @PixieJoJo (Director of Learning and Head of MFL) recently tweeted “Vocab Express guaranteed at least one grade difference!”


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