In our very first episode of Speaking Your Language, we caught up with a fantastic and inspiring member of our MFL teaching community – Esmeralda Salgado! She has taught languages for 20 years in a variety of school settings, and at all Key Stages, in roles including Advanced Skills Teacher, Head of MFL and Digital Lead. She won a Silver Pearson National Teaching Award as Secondary School teacher of the year in 2022 and has run many collaborative projects between schools. Esmeralda also has vast experience as an MFL consultant, writer, blogger and CPD provider.

We talk about her love of languages, tried and tested teaching approaches, and her best best thing that learning a languages has given her. So, put those books and laptops to one side, sit back, relax and enjoy. ¡Vamos!

Feel free to check out Esmerelda's blog here: https://mflcraft.blogspot.com/

Episode 1: Engagement and Challenge in the Language Classroom with Esmeralda Salgado

Have you ever wondered what your former students are up to? Fiona Pryce interviews her 2 former A-Level students about their journey from studying 2 languages at Cleeve School, to studying 3 languages in their final year at Exeter University. They talk about their love of languages, their year abroad and how to convince Year 9 that language learning is a superpower skill they just can't miss out on!

Episode 2:  Studying Languages at University – with Matt Button and George Meech.

Fiona Pryce interviews the wonderful Rosie Goldsmith, who is the perfect ambassador for the importance of language learning, as she has been a passionate linguist her whole life.  Rosie has had a hugely successful career as a journalist and champion of the arts. She has interviewed leading cultural and literary figures and now combines journalism with chairing, judging and curating arts events in the UK and across the world.  She presented the literary podcast “The Words” and created the online and print magazine The Riveter.  In 2010 Rosie founded and became director of the European Literature Network - https://www.eurolitnetwork.com/.  Listen and find out how speaking other languages facilitated her route into journalism and shaped her early career.

Episode 3: Where languages can take you – with the award-winning BBC journalist Rosie Goldsmith.

Fiona Pryce interviews the renowned MFL consultant, and international conference speaker, Joe Dale.  His work champions teaching languages, using the latest tools and technologies, and he is an expert in this field.  He has also worked tirelessly to create communities of like-minded teachers to share ideas and network - The Guardian have called him an 'MFL guru' and 'the man behind the #mfltwitterati’.  His Twitter handle is @joedale, where you will find information about the countless CPD events, webinars and podcasts that he produces. Listen and find out more about how Joe’s language learning journey began and the inspiration behind his career.

Episode 4: Languages and Ed Tech - with the founder of #mfltwitterati, Joe Dale.

Fiona Pryce interviews Paul Thomas, the headteacher of Parkwood School, a wonderful primary school in Finsbury Park, London.  It is also a Spanish International School, the only one of its kind in the UK. They are leading the way on embedding a love of languages in primary school for all students from nursery to Year 6, with huge improvements on uptake at secondary level, to encourage our young linguists of the future. Fiona also interviews two Year 6 students at Parkwood.  Listen and find out about their experience of speaking Home, Heritage and Community Languages, their positive experiences of learning Spanish at school, and advice for other children on why they should also embrace language learning.

Episode 5: Parkwood Primary School – a Spanish International School – with Paul Thomas and Year 6 students

Fiona Pryce interviews Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, who is a Deputy Mayor in Hackney, about the pioneering approach to Spanish immersion teaching in their schools, starting in nursery and primary, which has led to wonderful outcomes on language uptake at secondary level. Listen and find out how the work is underpinned by a strong sense of community; empowering learners and their families, and also celebrating the community’s rich diversity, and wide range of languages spoken. 

Episode 6 - Hackney Borough Council – an award-winning case study in immersion language learning – with Cllr Anntoinette Bramble.

Fiona Pryce interviews Crista Hazell, a highly regarded MFL consultant, trainer, blogger, examiner, development manager for ALL (The Association for Language Learning) and keynote speaker at many webinars and conferences. Her inspirational book Independent Thinking on MFL was a finalist in the 'Educational Book Award’ category in the Education Resource Awards 2021 and is published by Crown House. Follow Crista on LinkedIn or on X. Listen and find out about Crista’s passion for language learning, how to develop positive relationships with your students, and the importance of protecting your own mental health and wellbeing as a teacher. We also talk about the importance of primary languages and supporting Home, Heritage and Community Languages.

Episode 7: Crista Hazell – The Teacher of teachers

This podcast is here to generate a conversation about the importance of language learning and the pivotal role it plays in developing a more well-rounded, accepting and diverse generation of the future. With the help of key thought leaders, education specialists and students, we're embarking on a journey to uncover today's languages classroom as well as the best ways to help languages thrive. Join us!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the panel and guests on the show. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Pearson.

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