11th Wales China Schools Forum takes place

On 28 February 2017, 40 teachers and Modern foreign language practitioners gathered at Venue Cymru in Llandudno to attend the 11th Wales China Schools forum and engage in workshops provided by colleagues from the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools.

Language teachers from schools across Wales participated in three workshops – ‘Kick-starting Mandarin in Primary and Secondary Schools’ Breathing life into Chinese Learning and Creatively’ and transition between Primary and Secondary schools.

The workshops were led by Meryl James and Judith McKerrecher who are based at the University of Strathclyde and who work extensively with schools in Scotland, providing CPD sessions and training for Confucius classrooms and Classroom assistants, and presenting at Conferences both in the UK and abroad.

As well as these workshops, the forum was attended by Welsh Government colleagues David Heath and Abigail Williams who provided an update on the Global Futures Initiative, which is now just over a year into the plan to improve MFL uptake in Wales. This was also an opportunity for teachers at the forum to give their thoughts and ask questions about the MFL situation in Wales.

The forum also gave the opportunity to hear from Lisa Williams of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni who attended the Confucius Institute Annual Conference in Kunming, China, in December 2016. Lisa spoke enthusiastically of her experiences and urged other teachers to take advantage of the opportunity next year.

Feedback from the event was excellent with participants relishing the opportunity to hear about different ideas and techniques for engaging pupils in Language learning, as well as welcoming the time to speak to, and network with other schools engaged in teaching Mandarin.

We look forward to working closely in the future.