Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom::

For the last few months, I've been working with Zena Hilton, Links into Languages South East Regional Manager and Jo Rhys-Jones, Primary Languages Consultant on an awesome event we're calling the ICT Links into Languages conference which takes place on the weekend of 12th-13th February 2011 at Southampton University. Modelled on the legendary Isle of Wight Conference, it features an extensive programme of seminars and hands-on workshops delivered by some of the most creative and innovative language professionals working in the UK today.

Wendy Adeniji - Independent MFL Consultant

Teach them to pronounce it right! (Seminar)
iLanguages: teach them the usual in an unusual way (Seminar)

Jackie Berry - Primary Languages Consultant, Hampshire LA

PowerPoint Magic: presentation tips and tricks for the languages classroom (Seminar)
Getting started with screen casting (Seminar)

Suzi Bewell - PGCE MFL Curriculum Area Leader, University of York

Going global! The importance of Intercultural Understanding (Seminar)
MYLO – an exciting new way to learn languages (Hands-on workshop)

Alex Blagona - Language college coordinator, Northgate High School

Collaborate, Communicate, Consolidate – How wikis can transform learning in MFL (Hands-on workshop)
An A-Z road map of ICT resources in MFL (Seminar)

Joe Dale - Independent MFL Consultant

If you build it, they will come! The rise and rise of the MFL Twitterati (Keynote)
Podcasting with Audacity (Hands-on workshop)

Catherine Elliott - Training Manager at Sheffield South City Learning Centre

Encouraging creativity in languages through animation (Hands-on workshop)
First steps in using video in the MFL classroom (Hands-on workshop)

Chris Fuller - Educational Consultant

Moblogging across the universe (Seminar)
Typepad – I blog, you blog, we blog (Hands-on workshop)

Esther Hardman - Teacher of French, Spanish and German, Curriculum Development Coordinator for MFL (ICT), Weald of Kent Grammar School

Flashmeeting for easy videoconferencing (Seminar)
Using ICT to enhance teaching and learning in MFL (Seminar)

Dale Hardy - Primary & Secondary Languages Consultant, Nottingham City LA, Links into Languages regional trainer & CILT KS2 framework trainer

So you have a school link? Now what do you do with it? (Seminar)
Gifted and talented linguists – Identification, Inclusion, Provision: Using simple techniques as well as ICT (Seminar)

Chris Harte - Assistant Head Teacher for Personalised Learning, author and trainer on PLTS in language learning, Cramlington Learning Village

Managing social learning – Edmodo (Hands-on workshop)
Languages: Reboot (Seminar)

Rachel Hawkes - Assistant Principal, Director of Languages, AST and SSAT Languages Lead Practitioner, TES Resources Languages Advisor, Comberton Village College

Get real! Language Learning for the 21st century (Keynote)

Kath Holton - Head of Languages, Argoed High School

Using voice and video recorders in the classroom (Seminar)
Interactive Web 2.0 tools to enhance learning (Seminar)

Isabelle Jones - Head of Languages, The Radclyffe School

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills in the MFL classroom (Seminar)
Inspire, Create, Share: Developing the use of ICT in the MFL faculty (Seminar)

Helen Myers - Teacher of French, Assistant Head, The Ashcombe School; Chair of ALL London branch; ALL former President

Add a dimension to your teaching: an introduction to language learning in Virtual Worlds (Seminar)
Let the technology take the strain!How ICT can provide the motivation and the inspiration for the hard grind of language learning! (Seminar)

Jo Rhys-Jones - Primary Languages Consultant, Hampshire LA

Simple and effective tips for transition KS2-KS3 (Seminar)
Making languages games for your VLE/blog (Hands-on workshop)

Amanda Salt - Head of Spanish, Grosvenor Grammar School

Integrating ICT into an MFL department (Seminar)
Using Web 2.0 tools in the MFL classroom (Hands-on workshop)

Clare Seccombe - Sunderland LA Support Teacher for Primary Languages and the International Dimension

MFL Sunderland – It’s good to share! (Seminar)
Arts Smart! (incorporating art, music, drama etc) (Seminar)

Lisa Stevens - PLL educator and consultant, Apple Distinguished Educator and eTwinning Ambassador

What can eTwinning do for you? (Seminar)
Tell me a story! (Hands-on workshop)

Lesley Welsh - Director of Languages and the International Dimension at Manor College of Technology

Keeping it real – maximising the use of authentic materials (Seminar)
Funky flipcharts and interesting interactivity (Seminar)

If you are at all interested in how technology can enhance language learning in the 21st century, this is a must attend event and at £100 for both days or £75 for one (discounted rates for PGCE students), it is unbelievably good value for money too.

If this wasn't enough, there will also be a free MFL Show and Tell event on the Saturday evening at the University of Southampton Sports Ground where anyone who wants to share their good practice can have the opportunity to do so.

and to finish ...

Let us not forget despite the very sad news this week that the UK government has decided to no longer fund the Links into Languages programme post March 2011, this conference is certainly something to look forward to and celebrate. In these cash strapped times, who knows when we will have the opportunity to pool such expertise in ICT and MFL again? Please support this event, spread the word and sign up here.

See you in February.

Download the detailed programme from here.

As we all know, singing a song can be a great way of retaining vocabulary, reinforcing sentence structure and hooking young people into language learning. This year's crop of trainee teachers in MFL at Liverpool Hope University have been doing just that by putting their own words to well-known tunes and performing them on camera for all the world to see!

The results in French, Spanish and German are certainly impressive, particularly considering the groups only had 30 minutes to create their masterpieces and learn their dance routines too. Amazing how a bit of creativity and collaboration can perform such wonders in such a short space of time! My favourite clip is the French group performing their own take on the Happy Days theme tune for learning about daily routine. Fonzie would have approved.

You can check out last year's examples too on the MFL PGCE department's channel. The song for learning weather phrases in French to the tune of Umbrella by Rihanna is an absolute joy!

Hope Springs Eternal!