It almost seems blasphemous to attempt a summary of something
which is such an integrated whole and delivered with such skill, but here goes
….
His talk used the imagery/analogy of ‘wheels’ to explore to
what extent we were being required to change, reinvent or ‘tweak’ our practice
in the current climate. A great image
which really worked and which I am sure I will now appropriate!
1. A response to
changes ….
- There are many changes – this is to be expected from politicians who will claim that things need to change in order to make progress. We need to identify which things we can affect, and which things are beyond our scope
- We are
losing support mechanisms / bodies (eg. QCA/CILt/LEA/ BECTA ect)
- We still have our ‘shared history, profession, each other, ALL!
- We need to question whether things are really ‘new’ – (do wheels need changing?) or whether they are things we already do/know about/ have in our attic (do we need to find/tweak our old wheel?)
- The delightful ancient image of a ‘wheel of fortune’ illustrates how things change – sometimes you may be at the top of the wheel and fortunate, sometimes at the bottom and dressed only in your underpants (-you had to be there-) sometimes you are slipping back, sometimes moving forward .. but there are essential ‘principles’ which remain over time, regardless of the ‘age’ in which you are teaching
- Despite what politicians may claim, change does not necessarily lead to a linear, an ever upward, onward trajectory in terms of progress.
- Note that during periods of ‘enlightenment’, some things are thrown into the shadow. Some words can be ‘in’ [currently: grammar,, literacy. Ofsted, rigorous] and others ‘out’ [culture, compelling learning experiences, social cohesion, skills, personalisation (aside: no one could ever define this one!) skills]. A diverting ‘game’ where we were invited to define words rarely used .
- Examples of encouraging curiosity: show photos (which are personal, authentic, contextualised, arouse curiosity) and allow for spontaneous discussion.(who are they? What is happening? What are they saying? Steven shared wedding photos of his family at this point.
- 4 areas: Achievement, T&L, B&S, L&M
- Overall question they ask while observing ‘is this good enough for the range of children in this class?’
- Focus on achievement of different groups within the class
- Languages should be developed not just tested (e.g. listening exercises should not be merely ‘summative’
- Overriding principle:
Myths about ofsted:
- ‘You have to do it like this’ .. actually no required method
- ‘You have to report levels’ – no, levels are not used for planning lessons
- ‘You have to use a certain lesson plan format’ – no, this is just useful for ‘insurance’
- ‘You have to use plenaries for assessment for learning’ – no, if constant AfL activities are ‘clunky’ (e.g. after every few minutes you interrupt flow of lesson to check progress) it detracts from time for learning
Main things needed: Engagement, active learning, less teacher focus.
Learning: not just remembering the learning, but knowing how
to use it and wanting to use it
Wider context: how we compare with other countries. When asked, our learners say they have
comparatively lower level of confidence in using the language
independently. French in simlar position
– their analysis is that it is because they over-emphasise the need for
accuracy. (General murmurs of assent to
this in the room!)
New learners? With a
focus on exam success, a risk of reductionism.
Solution: find a different wheel to add to the movement ….. it may be in
the garage!
Other changes: A level reform; Russell group support for languages;
decline in HE languages; decline in experience of the year abroad (costly);
universities moving to saying that languages are necessary for effective
research.
Overall: Things we
can do:
- Re-discover things we used to do (new word coined by Steven: in – veter-ation!) Delightful examples from work Steven’s former pupils did ‘in the past’ e.g. writing their own versions of La Fontaine fables
- Be aware that there is a lobby in the House of Lords for languages
- Be aware that some students are motivated by what will get you ‘good grades’ . others need more ’off the wall’ motivation and the ‘F’ word .. Fun! (e.g. choose to walk up stairs which make the sound of a piano keyboard rather than using the escalator)
- Have the professional confidence to do carry things out – our responsibility to the future
- CPD more difficult to get out on courses now .. so make most of remote, social, informal opportunities
- Be aware of elements which are always needed: (4 skills; culture, vocab, grammar) and the activities we promote (explore, acquire and USE the language)
- Do not limit to ‘what is needed for an A grade’ .. but teach what is of the ESSSENCE
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