Teaching Languages Italian
September 2011: Induction Training for modern language teachers in MLPSI Schools - Thank you to all teachers who attended Induction days - please click on the following links to download the material used during these training events:
2. Handouts - including planning templates, information on My ELP and whole school approach guidelines
Spring 2012 - Principals' Seminars: The MLPSI is facilitating Principals' Seminars which will allow Principals to meet colleagues and also be updated on new developments in terms of language policy, supports, projects and planning. These seminars will also be open to Principals who are considering introducing a modern language to their school as part of the MLPSI.
3rd National Primary Languages Training Conference - This one day national training event for teachers involved in the MLPSI was held in the Marino Institute of Education on Friday, April 1st 2011. The focus of the day was Modern Languages – the bigger picture, Literacy, Numeracy and Assessment. Please click on the play button below to see the goodwill video message sent for the conference opening session by Mairead McGuinness, MEP:
Léargas - Léargas is Ireland's National Agency for the management of National, European and International co-operation programmes involving education. Go to http://www.leargas.ie/ for information on:
- Language courses abroad and grants available for Modern Language teachers
- How your school can get involved in a Comenius project
- How to apply for a Language Assistant for your school
- How to apply for the European Language Label for your school
Please click here for information on the new criteria for accessing funding for language courses abroad: 
comeniusinservicetrainingupdate.pdf
Comenius In-Service Training – professional development of teachers and school education staff - Comenius In-Service Training enables teachers and school education staff to undertake training of up to six weeks in another European country, allowing them to improve their practical teaching skills and knowledge and gain a broader understanding of school education in Europe. The training can take the form of a structured course or job shadowing/work observation period in a school or relevant organisation involved in school education. For language teachers, the training must provide teachers with learning and teaching methodologies; only in a few cases are ‘pure language’ courses eligible for a Comenius grant. For further information regarding eligibility criteria for language training please consult the Leargas website at www.leargas.ie/education
An online database of training activities to help applicants identify training which best meets their needs can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/trainingdatabase/
Applicants may also source a suitable course outside this course database.
For further information on Comenius In-Service Training please consult the Education Service website http://www.leargas.ie/education/ or contact May Diamond at (01) 8731411 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TeachNet- TeachNet Ireland seeks to improve student learning by helping primary and post primary teachers to integrate web-based resources into their instructional practice. Through TeachNet, teachers have access to training, curriculum resources, curriculum and technical specialists, grants and a supportive network to further develop their skills.
If you would like further information on the TeachNet project or if you would like to view the many TeachNet projects which have already been completed by MLPSI teachers - please click here to go to the TeachNet website - http://www.teachnet.ie/home/default.asp?NCID=1
CILT - Cilt is the National Centre for Languages in the U.K. They also offer training courses for language teachers and it is possible to obtain a grant to attend one of the many events they organise. Information can be obtained through their website:http://www.primarylanguages.org.uk/home.aspx
Teachers TV -
This is a valuable on-line and television resource which often has programmes featuring early modern language learning - http://www.teachers.tv/
Language Links is a colourful and informative language newsletter produced biannually by the MLPSI team.
• It is an opportunity for students, class and visiting teachers and principals to display and share their language and cultural experiences
• It is an excellent motivational tool for students in the classroom
• It is also an important resource for teachers and principals to acquire ideas for their classroom and school
We encourage all our schools to contribute!
Click on the following link to download the latest issue: Spring-Summer 2010
Due to a recent DES directive, hard copies of Language Links are no longer available. A printer-friendly copy may be downloaded by clicking on the following link:Spring-Summer 2010 - printer friendly
Click here to download previous editions.
Language Links is divided into the following sections:
Celebrations and Seasonal Events
Click here for suggestions on how Language Links can be used by the different personnel involved in the MLPSI Language Teacher, Class Teacher, Principal
Click here to see suggestions on how to use Language Links as a teaching resource
Click here to see guidelines for submissions. The deadline for submissions for the next issue is March 26th 2010. Please download the following submission form and return it completed to us with your submission -
l.links_submission_template
Please click here for Language Links Issue 12:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 13:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 14:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 15:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 16:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 17:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 18:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 19:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 20:
Please click here for Language Links Issue 21:
• Pupils send in examples of poems/stories /posters/songs they have done in class
• 6th class students do a survey with 5th class students about food/hobbies. Record their findings
• Pupils write reports of their trip to the target country/ a cartoon/a film they have seen
• Pupils may send in samples of letters/E-mails they have sent or received from their pen pals
Celebrations and Seasonal Events
• Research national holidays/festivals for the term. Compare these to Irish festivals. Host a cultural day/week
• Invite a guest speaker to the class. Write a report on the event
• Integrate the target language into special school events – School Centenary, Green Flag ceremony, Sports Day etc.
When doing these tasks, adapt them according to the particular topic chosen for that edition of the newsletter
• Have a competition to make the best flashcards for different topics. Encourage students to use colour and images
• Take photos of the language corner and posters they have designed on the different topics of the curriculum
• Each student has to interview someone who has been to the target country. Everyone has to bring three new facts to the class and share them. Make a poster of the most amazing new facts
Projects and Cross Curricular Links
When doing these tasks, adapt them according to the particular topic chosen for that edition of the newsletter
• Make a collage about the target country. Each student has to bring in 2/3 images from the country and stick them on a giant poster in the class
• Pupils attend a music/dance or art event. Students then write a report on their experience
• Pupils do projects about their target country – famous people, food, music etc.
• Pupils visit a local supermarket and find products from their target country
• Pupils take photos of role play/drama activities they have done • Pupils interview their language assistant, highlighting the main cultural similarities and differences they have discovered
• Write a report of a language course that you have attended that you would recommend
• Send in details of your school (name and contact E-mail address), if you wish to set up a correspondence exchange in Ireland or abroad
• Post details of upcoming cultural events/language courses that other teachers might be interested in attending
• Send in website addresses/ new materials etc. you have found useful
• Briefly describe activities that have worked well in the classroom
• Write an article describing your personal language/cultural experiences. This can be from the perspective of a Principal/Teacher/Language Assistant/Past Pupil
• Look over previous editions of Language Links with the pupils and class teacher at the start of the year. Brainstorm ideas together. Have specific aims for the term ahead. Remember to focus on the theme of that particular edition
• Pin your aims/ideas in the language corner in the classroom to remind you of your goals
• Choose different roles for pupils in the class for each term: photographers/editors/writers etc.
• Pin samples of pupils’ work in the language corner as the year goes on
• Brainstorm cross – curricular project ideas with the pupils and add them to the language corner
• Show a display of samples of the pupils’ work sent to the newsletter and previous publications of Language Links at Parent – Teacher meetings
• Display appropriate work in the language corner in the classroom
• In subjects such as Geography/History/Art/Sport, focus on a topic/person from the chosen country and allocate projects to the pupils
• Put a copy of Language Links on display in the staff room
• Have a Language Links display board in a prominent part of the school. Pin up previous editions of the newsletter. Show samples of work sent to the publication
• During assembly congratulate a pupil/class, if work has been published
• In a letter to parents, include the website link (www.mlpsi.ie ), so that parents can be informed and read the newsletter online with their child at home
In an effort to assist schools who wish to submit work for inclusion in the newsletter, guidelines have been produced by the MLPSI team.
Each edition focuses on specific themes. Selected work will be published in the newsletter and/or on the MLPSI website.
Items are chosen in acknowledgement of a student/s’ innovation, creativity and best practice methodologies used in the classroom.
All materials for publication can be sent to the National Coordinator at the Kildare Education Centre or to your Regional Project Leader.
Please refer to guidelines for entering your submissions.
Bear in mind which edition (December or May) you wish the article to be published in. Send in articles regarding festivals/celebrations accordingly.
Keep a copy of all work sent in for your records, as this work cannot be returned.
Please click here to download the Guidelines for submissions
Fáilte, Benvenuti, Bienvenidos, Willkommen, Bienvenue! Last updated May 26th 2008.
Welcome to the new MLPSI website! As part of the support service we offer schools participating in the Initiative and mindful of our obligations to provide information on modern language teaching at primary level in Ireland, this site will contain information for teachers and schools, as well as valuable resources, updates on training events and links to other sites of interest. We would welcome your feedback and suggestions for its ongoing development.
Tanya Flanagan, National Coordinator and the Regional Project Leader team.
MLPSI featured in INTouch:
An extensive article outlining the work of the MLPSI is featured in the May issue of the INTO's newsletter, INTouch. An article on the possibilities of using ICT in the language class, also submitted by the MLPSI team, is also included.
The newsletter is issued to all primary schools and can also be viewed online at their website - http://www.into.ie/ROI/publications/InTouch/CurrentIssue/File,8503,en.pdf
Temporary Position of Regional Project Leader (Spanish):
As advertised in the national press, a temporary vacancy currently exists for the position of Regional Project Leader within the MLPSI support team. Closing date for applications for this position is May 30th 2008. Please click on the following links to download the job advertisement, application form and job specification. Further details on the position can be obtained by contacting the Director of the Kildare Education Centre or the National Coordinator of the MLPSI, tel. 045-530200.
National Conference - March 7th 2008: 
Many thanks to all of you who attended and facilitated at our National Conference and in doing so helped ensure it was such a success!
A report on our recently held national conference is available on the News & Events section of the site. You can download the presentations and material used at the National Conference - all downloadable files have been uploaded to the Courses section of the site. A selection of photos from the event is available to view in our Gallery.
Pictured: Minister Micheal Martin addresses the conference.
Begleitlehrer für Sprachkurse im Sommer in Deutschland:
Der Pädagogische Austauschdienst (PAD) lädt jedes Jahr besonders gute SchülerInnen des Faches Deutsch im Junior Cert für 3 Wochen nach Deutschland ein. Department of Education & Science suchen zur Zeit noch irische Begleitlehrer, für die dieser Aufenthalt auch eine gute und kostengünstige Gelegenheit zur Fortbildung wäre. Click here for more information
IT Certificato exams from Universita Roma Tre - further information on these exams being held shortly in the Istituto Italiano di Cultura is downloadable from the Italian section of the website.
MLPSI-Consejería de Educación-Instituto Cervantes workshop: See section on Courses for details of forthcoming events.
Consejería de Educación: See section on Courses for information on summer courses and working opportunities in Andalucía
Release of Council of Europe report:
The Department of Education and Science and the Language Policy Division of the Council of Europe have jointly published a Language Education Policy Profile for Ireland. The Profile is the result of a process of reflection by the Department on its language education policies, facilitated by a Council of Europe expert group led by Professor Daniel Coste, Emeritus Professor of the École Normale Supérieure Lettres et Sciences Humaines.
Commenting on the report the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD said "I welcome this thorough analysis of the role of languages in education and in Irish society generally. The signposts for future directions outlined in The Language Education Policy Profile will be of great assistance in planning for the future." The Language Education Policy Profile was published simultaneously this week in Strasbourg and in Dublin. It is available of the websites of the Council of Europe (www.coe.int)) and of the Department of Education and Science (www.education.ie). The Profile presents an analysis of the current state of language education in primary and second-level education in Ireland and outlines a range of policy principles and action priorities for the future. The Minister said, "In a changing Ireland, language policy and provision are important factors in promoting social inclusion and cohesion. The Council of Europe expert group recommends that language policy is not just a matter for the education system. It requires more than the initiative and action of one government department."
Please click here to download the full report from the Department of Education and Science's website: http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/language_education_policy_profile.pdf?language=EN
Concours pour les élèves de français de l’Initiative pour les Langues Modernes dans les Ecoles Primaires - Vous êtes invités à participer au concours ‘L’Informatique dans la classe de langue’ !
We want you to get into groups (2-5 people) and create a PowerPoint Presentation based on one of the following themes: • Classroom Language and School • Food and Shops • Colours, Weather and Holidays • Body and Clothes • My Hobbies.
It is up to you what you do! Use the French Language and Show Some French Culture!
Date limite : Envoyez votre projet sur cd et une lettre d’accompagnement avant le 18 avril 2008
Adresse : Concours L’Informatique dans la classe de langue MLPSI, Kildare Education Centre, Friary Rd, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
For more detailed information, click here: concours2008-details
Correspondence Projects - If your school is involved in a correspondence project (penpals or e-twinning) as part of your modern language class, and you would like to share your experience with other teachers at the upcoming National Conference in March, please contact your Regional Project Leader or the National Coordinator.
Teachers' Contributions - We would like to devote space on this website for resources developed by MLPSI teachers. If you would like to share resources you have developed for use as part of your Modern Language teaching, please contact your Regional Project Leader.
Linguistic & Cultural Exchanges for Children - En Famille is a non profit organization based in France, that offers six-month cultural exchanges for young children. The two children spend a year together, 6 months in their own country and 6 months in their exchange partner's country. It is also a team of enthusiastic volunteersand highly motivated parents (and children) who work to help other families. For further information, please click on the following icon - enfamille or click here to go directly to their website - www.enfamille.com
Spanish Competition - Last September, to mark the fifth Rugby World Cup and celebrate the presence of Spanish in the tournament, magnificently represented by the Argentinian squad, the Consejeria de Educacion of the Spanish Embassy and the Union Argentina de Rugby jointly launched a competition for all Irish schools, both primary and secondary, with Spanish in their curriculum and with five Argentinian shirts as prizes. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those 500 primary pupils who entered the competition for their great enthusiasm and hard work, as well as to congratulate the lucky ones who have obtained one of the shirts: Ciaran Fitzgerald from Ballyboughal NS (Co. Dublin) and Diarmuid Egan from Cullina NS, Killarney (Co. Kerry) . They received their prize from Felipe Contepomi at a ceremony in Dublin.
MLPSI Expansion - 90 new schools join the Initiative
The MLPSI is delighted to welcome 90 new schools to the MLPSI this term. All of these schools have members of staff who will undertake the modern language teaching and this increase in the cohort of schools is a hugely significant development for the MLPSI. We look forward to meeting these new colleagues at our training events (see our Courses section for further details) and to engaging with the new schools during the academic year.
School Profile Form - please return as soon as possible!
All MLPSI schools should have received their School Profile Form by post. Please fill it in and return it to the Kildare Education Centre. The School Profile Form can be downloaded by clicking here: schoolprofile0708
See our Foreign Links sections for information and applications forms on hosting teacher trainees from our partners Institutions.
MLPSI My ELP
Many schools are using their copies of the MLPSI My ELP as part of the language learning this year. Further information on the MLPSI model of the European Language Portfolio is detailed in the ELP section of the site. For a summary page of the Key Features of the resource, please click here - infodocelpsept07
European Day of Languages, September 26th 2008 
September 26th is a special day to encourage people of all ages to start learning a new language and to encourage people to take part in events that celebrate speaking and learning about other languages and cultures. Please click here for some ideas to celebrate the European Day of Languages in your school or classroom edl_08
Useful websites:
Celebrating Languages website : http://language.e2bn.org/index.php
European Award for Languages 2008
The European Award for Languages – The Language Label recognises creative and inventive ways to improve the quality of language teaching and learning. Schools, colleges, universities, businesses and other institutions engaged in language initiatives are invited to apply.
Applications should be innovative, effective and replicable.
The priorities for 2008 are: · Intercultural Dialogue · Languages and Business · Language Learning and Technology.
These priorities are not exclusive and applications from all kinds of language projects will be welcome.
Closing date 31 March 2008.
For application forms and further information contact: Ivanna D’Arcy, Léargas 189 Parnell Street Dublin 1 Tel: (01) 887 1258 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web: www.leargas.ie/education
MLPSI Italian Competition - Ispirato da...!
Thank you to our Italian schools who entered this recent art competition - the winners were Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Alainn and St. Mary's on the Hill, both in Cork! Auguri a tutti gli insegnanti e alunni in queste due scuole!
MLPSI French Competitions - Vivre dans la Francophonie! & Notre ville est unique!
Thank you to our French schools who entered the recent competition - Notre ville est unique! - For details of the winners - please click here: frenchcompresults
Images of some of the winning entries are available to view here by clicking on the following links: 
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coolock1-400 
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deravoy1-400 
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drogheda1-400 
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knocknagrave1-400 
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rathbirr1-400 
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ruesheriff1-400 
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rathdowney1-400 
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One of the winning entries from St. Peter's N.S. in Drogheda:
To read more details of the winning schools from last year's competition Vivre dans la Francophonie! - and view some of the outstanding entries, please visit our News & Events section at the top of the page.
Support Services for MLPSI Schools:
The academic year 2006/2007 marked a new departure in the Department of Education and Science’s vision for the Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative (MLPSI). In line with other curriculum support programmes, support to all MLPSI schools now operates on a regional basis. Each region now has an assigned member of the Project Leader team working across the four target languages of the Initiative. The Project Leaders work to provide a support service which builds on the Initiative’s work to date and recognises the evolving needs of schools as they work towards developing a more integrated language policy and whole school approach to language teaching.
Services provided by your assigned Project Leader/Language Adviser include the following:
Support and advice for Principals and teachers in terms of language methodology, resources, cross-curricular activities etc.
Facilitation of a whole-staff presentation on Modern Languages in Primary School
School visits to assist in the implementation of a whole school approach to language teaching and the Modern Language curriculum
Support through the MLPSI National Coordinator and Kildare Education Centre
Support through the MLPSI websites at www.mlpsi.ie and http://www.eckildare.ie/
Language specific support through in-career development days
Facilitation of Induction days for new teachers
Ongoing contact and support by ‘phone/e-mail/post
Schools receive a resource grant from the DES for the first two years of their participation in the MLPSI
Ministerial Launch of the MLPSI's My European Language Portfolio in the Kildare Education Centre
Pictured is the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., with the National Coordinator, Tanya Flanagan, and teachers and pupils from Scoil Phadraig, Ballyroan, Dublin, at the recent launch of My European Language Portfolio at the Kildare Education Centre (See also our News & Events page).
Background, Rationale & Aims of the MLPSI
“This is a very exciting project, which will foster positive attitudes to language learning through the use of active learning approaches including drama, songs, and games and by promoting an awareness of being European among the pupils. It is my intention that classrooms participating in this project will be lively stimulating environments where there is a strong emphasis on enjoyment.”
Mr. Micheál Martin, Minister for Education, November 1997
Background
The Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative has been in operation in many Irish primary schools since September 1998. It aims to introduce modern languages at primary level. The Initiative involves the introduction of Italian, Spanish, German and French into 5th and 6th classes. Initially set up by the Department of Education and Science (DES) as a Pilot Project scheduled to run for two years, it was designated a Modern Languages Initiative in 2001.
Ms. Antoinette Ni Ghallchobhair chairs the Project Management Committee, which manages the Modern Languages Initiative. The Project Management Committee reports to a Consultative Group made up of the Partners in Education, also chaired by Ni Ghallchobhair. A National Coordinator was appointed to steer the Initiative in September 2001. Ms. Tanya Flanagan was appointed to this position in December 2002. The Initiative is administered by Kildare Education Centre, under the directorship of Ms. Dolores Hamill and receives funding from the Department of Education and Skills and the National Development Plan.
The Regional Advisors currently working in the four target language areas are Ms. Pascaline Horan (Italian), Dr. Kènia Puig i Planella (Spanish), Ms. Gina Reilly (German) and Mr. Brendan Duignan and Ms. Frédérique Rantz (French). Their role is to facilitate and support Initiative teachers on the ground. Regional Advisors also design and deliver incareer development days on a regional basis and follow up this training with individual school visits. They evaluate language-teaching resources for the primary language class and develop materials specifically tailored for use in the Irish primary classroom.
Rationale
There are many reasons for an early start. Learning a language can develop self-esteem and confidence and enhance cultural awareness. Younger children are very receptive to new experiences. There is an educational value in that more time spent on a language means improved pronunciation skills and communicative competence in the long-term. It can promote autonomous learning. Across Europe many countries introduce a foreign language from the beginning of primary school education and indeed in some cases, in pre-school. In Ireland many schools already offered a foreign language as an extra curricular option outside the main timetable.
Aims
The Initiative aims to foster positive attitudes towards language learning, to encourage communication in the four target languages and to promote diversification in the range of languages taught. Further aims include the establishment of links between language teaching at first and second level. The Initiative also strives to enable a greater number of children in a wider range of school types to study Modern Languages in our primary schools (DES Circular 45/97).
Further Information on the MLPSI
If you would any further Information on the MLPSI, please contact the National Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , tel. 045-530200.