Modern foreign language student mentoring

The Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Student Mentoring Scheme was launched in 2015 and is funded by Welsh Government.

The project places undergraduates and postgraduates from Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities into local schools to mentor pupils and encourage them to consider international languages when choosing their GCSE options. The project has also developed a digital programme which connects secondary school pupils and university students online. This element of the project is being updated in response to COVID-19.

Hear more about our project from the pupils who benefit and the mentors themselves.

Our mission

The purpose of the MFL Student Mentoring Project is to:

highlight the benefits of learning a language at GCSE, A-level and degree level
broaden the horizons and aspirations of learners by highlighting wellbeing, career and mobility opportunities available to those with language skills, such as working and studying abroad
raise expectations, improve motivation and strengthen the persistence and personal resilience of learners studying languages
create sustainable links between higher education modern languages departments and partner secondary schools
offer classroom experiences and opportunities to university students, with a view to encouraging a greater number to consider teaching as a possibility.

Our vision

Our programme encourages pupils to be curious about all languages and cultures. We endorse the idea of a global community as no society is mono-lingual nor mono-cultural. Ultimately, we aim to demonstrate that globality is a mindset, an outlook and an attitude that is not dependent on actual mobility. It should be open to all, regardless of which language pupils are learning or of their proficiency. By approaching languages in this way, we aim to give pupils agency over their language learning and their sense of personal and global identity.

Project structure

Mentors apply during the summer months each year and are formally trained during either September or October.
We accept mentor applicants from all disciplines. Mentors must have a drive and passion for broadening and opening minds to international cultures and languages.
Each academic year we deliver two cycles of mentoring, one six week period during October-December and one six week period February-March.
Mentors will participate in the delivery of Award and Recognition Ceremonies at their university.
Mentors will receive a bursary in acknowledgement of their commitment to the project.