INDEPENDENT  LEARNING  IN
MODERN  FOREIGN  LANGUAGES


In 1994/95 The Hertfordshire Education Services (HES) secondary advisers were asked to bid for a sum of money to be allocated to departments in their subject area.  The Adviser for Modern Foreign Languages was successful in such a bid.  Below is a brief outline:


PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Raising pupil achievement in Modern Foreign Languages via independent learning in Key Stage 3 and 4 was the focus of the bid.  The main aim of the project was to promote independent learning via a variety of strategies.  For example, dictionary work, use of the computer or reading for pleasure.  Schools would be invited to take part in the project by identifying an area of development, then research, devise, plan, implement and monitor their own individual project.

The two main outcome criteria were identified as follows: enhanced pupil motivation and performance in Modern Foreign Languages.

Five schools were eventually identified:  Longdean (Hemel Hempstead), Sheredes (Hoddesdon), Simon Balle (Hertford), Sir Frederic Osborn(Welwyn Garden City) and Tring (Tring).  A maximum of £500 was allocated to each school to be spent on researching, planning and implementing their own identified area of development.

Accounts of what took place in each of these five schools will be featured on this page over the next five months.

The focus for this month is Simon Balle School, Hertford.


If you have any comments or questions regarding the Independent Learning in Modern Foreign Languages Project please contact:

			Mike Short
			Adviser for Modern Languages
			Hertfordshire Education Services
			The Education Centre
			Butterfield Road
			Wheathampstead
			Herts   AL4 8PY
			(01582 830368)