Come and join us for a selection of presentations, workshops and resources for primary languages teachers.

With the emphasis on delegates receiving excellent professional development from leading language practitioners, this CPD conference for teachers offers the opportunity to learn new classroom strategies, take part in practical sessions, benefit from the latest ideas and resources, be inspired and have fun!

KEYNOTE: Transition and continuity KS2-KS3 - Catherine Cheater (45 minutes)
Bridging the gap between primary and secondary school

Catherine will explore ways in which teachers in primary and secondary schools can help children to cross this bridge as smoothly as possible. From sharing information in a manageable way, to sharing ideas for the learning environment, the suggested strategies might help children to look ahead with confidence and cross the bridge happily, rather than look down at the possible rising floodwaters.

WORKSHOPS: (90 minutes)

Using books and multimedia resources in the KS2 classroom - Catherine Cheater
Bridging the gap between home and school

Catherine will show how, in the school in which she teaches, books, audio CDs, DVDs and other resources are used as a tool to gain extra languages time in the curriculum, to stretch children and encourage independent learning, and to bridge the gap between home and school.

Sing a song of languages - Philip Campagna
Introducing, utilising and exploiting songs in different languages to reinforce language learning

In this workshop we will consider how to use songs to revisit and consolidate language learning throughout the school week. We will look at cross curricular approaches using songs and performance.

Promoting spontaneous speaking in the Primary classroom - Belinda Dean

With small amounts of language, pupils can be very creative and produce stunning outcomes through word and sentence level activities. Belinda will explore how to encourage spontaneous talk in your classroom using tried and tested methods.

Getting started with French - Niveau bleu et blanc - Philip Campagna
Enabling your non-specialist colleagues to support language teaching and learning in your school

This workshop will provide teaching resources and support so that non-specialist classroom teachers can start to teach French in Key Stage 2. The course is based on teaching materials devised by the French Embassy. You will leave with a USB stick of materials which you can show to your non-specialist colleagues and they can use immediately in their classrooms.

Presenter profiles

Catherine Cheater is a Primary Languages Consultant and a recipient of l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques. Catherine has over 30 years' experience as a teacher, consultant and author in the field of primary modern languages. Formerly on the team of the Schools Advisory Service, Croydon, she became Senior Language Teaching Adviser at CILT, The National Centre for Languages, and was one of the writers of the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages. She is the author of The Catherine Cheater Scheme of Work for French and other resources published by Golden Daffodils Ltd.
She is currently working as a consultant for the Institut français du Royaume Uni (IFRU), in collaboration with The Association for Language Learning (ALL) and Network for Languages, to provide Primary French Project materials aligned with the new Programme of Study for Key Stage 2.
Catherine teaches French in 2 Bradford primary schools, and works with individual schools, school partnerships and local authorities.

Belinda Dean is an experienced primary teacher and primary language specialist/trainer in schools around Bath. With a commercial background in travel publishing, she has a lifelong passion for travel, exploring and discovering other cultures. She is keen that children should have the opportunity to experience other languages and cultures in a dynamic, purposeful and memorable way.
Belinda teaches on Bath Spa University's Primary PGCE programme and runs courses for Network for Languages South West.

Philip Campagna is SW Regional and National Director for Network for Languages and Network for Learning. He is a Senior Lecture and PGCE Course Leader for Secondary MFL and PGCE Primary MFL Coordinator at Bath Spa University. Philip was Head of MFL Faculty for six years at a large Wiltshire Community College. He worked for ten years as a Primary Languages Coordinator in Wiltshire. He regularly presents for Network for Languages, both in the South West and other regions. He has also presented both at National and International Language Conferences.

Feedback from delegates on previous conferences

I am inspired - thank you for a really useful, informative day. I have learnt so much I can take back with me.
It was very interesting and helpful: some wonderful ideas to put into practice. It was nice to be able to exchange with others and to learn about different approaches. A superb event – thank you very much.
Really helpful, not only in terms of assessment requirements, but also the key reason we do it – real language use!
Inspiring and good to be kept up to date with what’s happening in primary languages.

Cost: £75 per delegate which includes lunch and resources; £99 for two teachers from the same school