Mixed Age Learning Adults and students learning languages

Mixed Age Learning Adults and students learning languages together © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education These materials have been designed to be reproduced for internal circulation, research and teaching or training purposes. They can be reproduced for free provided that this material is acknowledged as Crown copyright, reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. www. linksintolanguages. ac. uk

Aims of the project • Improve student motivation and attainment • Engage adult learners • Build a flourishing mixed age language learning community • Meet the community cohesion agenda © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

The model(s) - Comberton • NVQ Spanish Level 2 • 14 Yr 10 learners with 3 years prior Spanish • 5 adults- absolute beginners © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

The model(s) - Northgate • Year 9 Spanish class x 2 • 30 Year 9 students – beginners in Spanish • 2 adults – also beginners © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

What did we do? - Planning • Initial letter drafted • Letter sent out to local communities • Parents of students in the relevant classes informed by letter of the project plans • Appropriate safeguarding measures put in place • Introductory meeting held with adult learners © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

What did we do? - Teaching • Ongoing creation of materials to support the delivery of mixed age/experience teaching • Reflective practice involving regular contact between project teachers to evaluate and share experiences • Inter-school observations • Gathering feedback from adults and students • Additional ‘out of lesson’ support for adult learners © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

How well did we achieve the aims? Students • Greater maturity and focus compared to previous years • Consistently excellent behaviour right from the outset • Students approaching their work with greater purpose and concentration • High(er) achievement • Knock-on positive effect in their French lessons (Northgate) © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Adults and Year 10 students working together at Comberton Village College © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Example of student NVQ Level 2 Spanish Speaking Assessment 1 © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Example of adult NVQ Level 2 Spanish Speaking Assessment 1 © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Both students and adults highlight the benefits. This article will be downloadable as part of the project resources from the Linked UP website. © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Collaboration and competition! Vocab Express Leader Board – Mixed Age Learning project February 2011 © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Behaviour – even in cover lessons without adults! “I was expecting a difficult cover lesson but behaviour was exemplary. They did ALL the work including the work from Tuesday which some of them hadn’t completed. I think they deserve praise from their teacher to make them realise teachers don’t only talk about bad behaviour. Thanks PS: Your plan of mixing adults and teenagers is working fantastically. ” © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

How well did we achieve the aims? Wider benefits to schools • The adults’ feedback is highly reflective and instructional for teachers • Adults’ world, cultural and linguistic knowledge contribute to the students’ learning experience • Adults model good study skills and good learning habits and students benefit from this modelling • Adults are adept at using the language they learn creatively and personally from the outset • The appetite for learning that adults display has exposed short-comings in the materials we offer in terms of homework and independent learning © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Summary of successful outcomes • Positive effect on students’ attitudes, behaviour and therefore progress • Contribution to parent-whole school liaison and the community cohesion agenda overall • Quality of adults’ feedback generating improvements in teaching and provision • Strengthening of the role and reputation of the school within the community © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education

Further information The Linked Up website will soon have available: • • Detailed project report Sample adult learner recruitment letter This overview presentation Feedback article from adult and student participants • Project teaching resources (NVQ Level 2 Spanish and Year 9 Spanish) © Crown copyright 2010, Department for Education