As mentioned in previous post I attended one of the SCILT Outreach conferences in Elgin yesterday. On the whole these conferences are an excellent idea enabling us teachers fortunate enough not to work in the central belt to find out what is going on in the development of teaching and learning. You also usually get a great lunch..the salmon was fantastic.
In an appropriately reflective manner I would like to consider one or two point that cropped up. I will at a later date post cleaned up copies of my notes.
The first presetation was that of Alan Ogg of HMIe on Improving Scottish Education. I have to take issue with the fact that we were informed that we should always look at our strengths as teachers and then we were presented with a table showing that HMIe believe that almost 60% of teaching and learning in those schools inspected in 2006 - 06 was weak or adequate (which really means not all that good.) What a way to boost teachers on a Saturday. I often find that in these situations it is a case of do as I say not as I do. Imagine if an inspector came into the classrom whilst you were in the middle of explaining to all your students that 60% were really only adequate...
One colleague asked why she should stay in the profession if this was the encouragement we were getting for all the work we do.
Part 2 looked at CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) or put simply content dictates the language taught. I like the idea as it would involve lots of x-curricular stuff and despite some comments to the contrary I don't really think current SG syllabus is set up like this. It will also enable language teachers to get their teeth stuck into global issues such as the environment and citizenship.
part 3 was the now usual update on A Curricuclum for Excellence. Main point was that it will be behind schedule...bloody politicians as per usual who don't know their arse from their elbow.
Robert McKinstry indicated that the curriculum will need to drive (and indeed overtake) the exam syllabus. But can this really hapen if the hallowed SQA are not taking part in the discussions on what is potentially the most groundbreaking development in education for years. If they are not there will be no point in all of this because we will still end up having to conduct the same old exams. I like the idea of student shaving to achieve a min imum level of language competency by S3 and the idea of a language passport recognised europewide is a welcome development.
The last part of the day was a presentation by Robert McKinstry on developing Listening skills. I enjoyed this as it really gave me food for though about what I do in my classroom. Prattling on in TL was recommended...I can do that. The point being that babies learn their language by their parents wittering on all the time...must be something in it. Another point was the idea of developing the skill not just by "doing listenings" but by setting some time aside to maybe read a story or listen to a piece of music in the TL. It doesn't matter that it is relevant to the topic being studied as you would be developing a skill. I am going to try it... watch this space to see what happens.
So much food for thought. Allow me time to digest. Cognac anyone.
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