Ysgol Bryngwyn & Glan Y Mor School Federation
BBC School Report 2016 & 2017
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Why on EARTH study languages?
In response to the decline in the number of pupils choosing to study GCSE in a modern foreign language in Wales, as published by the British Council in its Language Trends Survey last June, Welsh Government has created a new document called Global Futures. Global Futures aims to increase the number of Welsh pupils learning a language so that they can compete in the global market and take advantage of increasing career and travel opportunities.
As the Lead School for Modern Foreign Languages in Carmarthenshire, Bryngwyn School has played an active role in implementing Global Futures, working alongside the other schools in the local authority. Many events and activities have been organised to raise awareness about the importance of languages to increase employability.
Bryngwyn is also actively involved in national activities to promote languages, such as the Spelling Bee competition, the Student Mentoring Initiative and collaboration with the Italian Consulate to introduce Italian in the primary schools.
As part of Bryngwyn pupils’ research into this worrying situation a group of Year 9 and Year 8 pupils interviewed the local MP, Nia Griffith, who is herself multilingual, speaking five languages and learning two more. She was already familiar with the school, having presented the badges to the Language Ambassadors at the training day in Glan Y Mor.
When asked about how languages have enriched her life, Ms. Griffith said that languages have been beneficial throughout her career as it has given her a great deal of opportunities, as she has been able to volunteer in holiday jobs and activity camps in European countries. She added that languages increase confidence and advised pupils to consider studying them for GCSE. She said that;
“It is much better to keep your options open as much as you can”.
Once having interviewed Matthew Whitely, a student mentor from Cardiff University, we discovered that he thinks learning a new foreign language is beneficial for pupils in secondary school as languages are a massive part of everyday life and once you’ve learnt the outlines of French, it will become easier to learn Italian and Spanish. He said that;
“Learning the likes of Spanish and Italian becomes easier as they’re from the same base of Latin”.
In addition, we then had an informal interview with the Treviso rugby team. The rugby players said that they found having seven or eight different cultures an enormous challenge, but it is part of the job. They also said that languages are useful on a daily basis because if there is a new man on the team, they automatically start learning the language without knowing. The Treviso team stated that
“I’m lucky enough to speak Italian exceedingly well, so it’s not that difficult. It is a challenge but that’s part of the job”.
As the Lead School for Modern Foreign Languages in Carmarthenshire, Bryngwyn School has played an active role in implementing Global Futures, working alongside the other schools in the local authority. Many events and activities have been organised to raise awareness about the importance of languages to increase employability.
- A day to train pupils to be Language Ambassadors for Bryngwyn, Glan Y Mor and Strade pupils.
- Talks to Year 9 by businessman, Tim Penn, about the role of languages in preparing for an international future in nine Carmarthenshire secondary schools.
- A visit by Nia Roberts, the school’s STEM Ambassador and a linguist, who works for the Patent Office in Welsh Government.
Bryngwyn is also actively involved in national activities to promote languages, such as the Spelling Bee competition, the Student Mentoring Initiative and collaboration with the Italian Consulate to introduce Italian in the primary schools.
As part of Bryngwyn pupils’ research into this worrying situation a group of Year 9 and Year 8 pupils interviewed the local MP, Nia Griffith, who is herself multilingual, speaking five languages and learning two more. She was already familiar with the school, having presented the badges to the Language Ambassadors at the training day in Glan Y Mor.
When asked about how languages have enriched her life, Ms. Griffith said that languages have been beneficial throughout her career as it has given her a great deal of opportunities, as she has been able to volunteer in holiday jobs and activity camps in European countries. She added that languages increase confidence and advised pupils to consider studying them for GCSE. She said that;
“It is much better to keep your options open as much as you can”.
Once having interviewed Matthew Whitely, a student mentor from Cardiff University, we discovered that he thinks learning a new foreign language is beneficial for pupils in secondary school as languages are a massive part of everyday life and once you’ve learnt the outlines of French, it will become easier to learn Italian and Spanish. He said that;
“Learning the likes of Spanish and Italian becomes easier as they’re from the same base of Latin”.
In addition, we then had an informal interview with the Treviso rugby team. The rugby players said that they found having seven or eight different cultures an enormous challenge, but it is part of the job. They also said that languages are useful on a daily basis because if there is a new man on the team, they automatically start learning the language without knowing. The Treviso team stated that
“I’m lucky enough to speak Italian exceedingly well, so it’s not that difficult. It is a challenge but that’s part of the job”.
We have had an amazing experience both filming and interviewing some inspirational people. We have learned that modern foreign languages are definitely essential in everybody’s life, and are beneficial for success. I think you have all realised the reasons for taking a language at GCSE, and have come to a conclusion that languages are very worthwhile. I hope you’ve enjoyed, and we’ll see you next year!
Credits:
Freya (Studio reporter, and interviewer).
Director& script maker
Holly (Studio reporter, and interviewer).
Co-director& link provider
Amy (interviewer).
Writer
Ellen (interviewer)
Legal researcher
Sophie (interviewer)
Writer
Maddy (Researcher)
Legal researcher
Elliot (Interviewer)
Written report editor
Callum (Interviewer)
Written report editor
Josh (editor)
James (editor)
Many thanks also to Mr Angelone, and Mrs Bozkurt for editing and directing us throughout the experience.
Credits:
Freya (Studio reporter, and interviewer).
Director& script maker
Holly (Studio reporter, and interviewer).
Co-director& link provider
Amy (interviewer).
Writer
Ellen (interviewer)
Legal researcher
Sophie (interviewer)
Writer
Maddy (Researcher)
Legal researcher
Elliot (Interviewer)
Written report editor
Callum (Interviewer)
Written report editor
Josh (editor)
James (editor)
Many thanks also to Mr Angelone, and Mrs Bozkurt for editing and directing us throughout the experience.
Download or view our languages fact sheet below.
| Languages Factsheet |