Able Linguist Days — a collaborative approach between a university and schools

Abstract

ABSTRACT This is a challenging time for sectors traditionally associated with modem foreign languages (MFL) education. MFL departments in secondary schools are striving to encourage their able linguists to continue with their language studies at Key Stage 4 (KS4); further education colleges are trying to make their numbers viable to run AS and A2 courses; MFL departments in universities are hoping to encourage students to study languages at degree level; and Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers are experiencing problems recruiting to target. The following paper describes an event held at the University of Portsmouth which tries to address these concerns. It describes collaboration between university departments, how that work has impacted on partnerships with schools and how languages can be promoted by an Able Linguist Event. The paper investigates the need for such an event. It presents the pre-session preparing and planning for able linguists and gives a brief account of how the event is organised. Finally, it notes some of the benefits reported by the parties involved.