Overview
I am a PhD student in the School of Modern Languages, undertaking applied research that evaluates and informs promotional language learning initiatives in Wales, by exploring motivational factors in school-age learners. My PhD focuses on the pan-Wales Routes into Languages Cymru project, and is funded by the ESRC and sponsored by the British Council Cymru.
I studied a BA in French and Spanish at Cardiff University from 2008-2012, during which I spent a year abroad at La Universidad de Granada in Spain, and the L'Universite de Savoie, France. I completed a Masters in Social Science Research Methods in 2018.
I have previously worked in policy and communications roles in the third, public and private sector here in Wales and over in Brussels.
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Rwyf yn myfyrwraig doethuriaeth yn yr Ysgol Ieithoedd Modern ac wrthi yn cwblhau gwaith ymchwil sy'n edrcyh ar gymhelliant disgyblion yng Nghymru tuag at dysgu ieithoedd dramor er mwyn gwerthuso a diweddaru mentrau yng Nghymru sy'n hyrwyddo hyn. Mae fy noethuriaeth yn canolbwyntio ar y brosiect Llwybrau at Ieithoedd Cymru, ac yn cael ei ariannu gan yr ESRC a'i noddi gan British Council Cymru.
Fe wnes i gwblhau gradd mewn Ffrangeg a Sbaeneg o Brifysgol Caerdydd yn 2012 ac yn ystod hynny treuliais i flwyddyn dramor yn Sbaen a Ffrainc. Derbynnais gradd Meistr mewn Methodoleg Ymchwil y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol yn 2018.
Rwyf wedi gweithio yn y gorffennol yn y maes polisi a chyfathrebu o fewn y trydydd sector a'r sector cyhoeddus a phreifat yng Nhymru a draw ym Mrwsel.
Research
Research interests
My current research examines how outreach initiatives that aim to promote language learning influence motivation in pupils in schools in Wales. Using Routes into Languages Cymru as a primary case study, my PhD uses mixed methods to research motivation among Key Stage 3 pupils in Wales and how this changes through engagement with the project. This will then be compared with similar initiatives being implemented in other countries.
This research is being undertaken thanks to an ESRC Wales DTP Studentship, with fieldwork sponsored by British Council Cymru.
My PhD is being supervised by Professor Claire Gorrara (School of Modern Languages) and Professor Roger Scully (School of Politics).
My other research interests include:
- Bilingualism and Multilingualism/Dwy- ac Amlieithrwydd
- MFL in primary education/ITM mewn addysg gynradd
- Language policy/Polisi iaith
- Language teaching methodology/Methodoleg dysgu ieithoedd
- Multilingual identity/Hunaniaeth amlieithog
Presentations
November 2018. Poster Presentation: Building a multilingual learning environment at primary. Conference: The Future of Educational Research in Wales. BERA and Welsh Government.
January 2019. Presentation to the Welsh Government's 'Global Futures' Steering Group. Building a multilingual learning environment at primary.
September 2020. Paper presentation: Student Language Ambassadors: from learners to facilitators. Conference: InnoConf 2020, Innovative Language Teaching and Learning at University, Newcastle University.
November 2020. Interactive workshop: Exploring our multilingual selves. At Trwy Brism Iaith Symposium, organised by the Learned Society of Wales. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toMlygRaQXY
Publications
November 2020. Language Trends Wales 2020. Blog - Finding your 'Route': the role of outreach projects in motivating pupils to learn languages
Awards
2019. £1k funding received from Creative Multilingualism to host a conference: Multilingualism and multi-identities in Wales: a creative approach to research and practice. Cardiff; Cardiff University, 6 November, 2019. Organised with Elin Arfon (MLANG) and Kaisa Pankakoski (WELSH). Conference write-up available at: https://www.creativeml.ox.ac.uk/blog/exploring-multilingualism/bilingualism-multilingualism-promoting-language-learning-wales
Teaching
2018/19 - Swansea University. Tiwtor Ffrangeg (Cyfrwng Cymraeg)/French tutor (Welsh Medium). Modules taught - French Language (Year 1), French-Welsh Translation (Year 3), French for Professional Purposes (Year 3).
2019/20 - Cardiff University. Seminar Tutor. Modules taught - Introduction to Translation Methods (French) (Year 1), National and Global Perspectives on France (Year 1).
2019-2020 - Welsh for All Tutor, Cardiff University.
Supervisors
Professor Claire Gorrara
Dean for Research and Innovation for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor of French Studies
Publications
2020
- Gorrara, C., Jenkins, L., Jepson, E. and MacHin, T. 2020. Multilingual perspectives: preparing for language learning in the new curriculum for Wales. Curriculum Journal 31(2), pp. 244-257. (10.1002/curj.11)
- Gorrara, C., Jenkins, L., Jepson, E. and Llewelyn Machin, T. 2020. Persbectifau amlieithog: paratoi ar gyfer dysgu ieithoedd yn y cwricwlwm newydd i Gymru. Curriculum Journal 31(2), pp. e70-e84. (10.1002/curj.46)