Taking the Lead with Languages
Have you ever considered how languages could be the key to unlocking leadership potential? Well, this might be the ideal moment to give it some thought as we investigate Scotland’s Languages Leadership Programme as a route worthy of exploration towards leadership opportunities.
Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) in partnership with Education Scotland, has developed the nation’s flagship professional learning programme for languages: Scotland’s Languages Leadership Programme (SLLP). This well-established and highly regarded professional learning programme, which began as Train the Trainer (TTT) back in 2014 when the first TTT summer school was held, has evolved over the past 9 years, undergoing a complete overhaul during session 2020/21 when lockdown was at its peak. Since 2019, regardless of the programme’s title or iteration, over 350 educators and aspiring leaders of languages have been supported and encouraged to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take languages forward in their individual context. Endorsed by the General Teaching Council Scotland, the SLLP provides an opportunity for participating educators to gain the award of GTCS Professional Recognition. This involves participants successfully completing a series of in-depth reflective tasks based on their learning from the core days, the choice elements and critical incidents in the workplace. Up to this point, 118 educators have received Professional Recognition as a result of their participation in the SLLP. It is noteworthy that all participants have the dedicated support of a Critical Friend throughout the duration of the programme, most of whom have undertaken the course themselves previously.
Having taken part in the LLP (as it was known in 2018/19) as part of my own leadership journey, I can confirm it remains the best professional learning experience for me to date. In fact it was a pivotal moment. The programme’s content provided me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to drive forward the development of languages in my school. I wanted to ensure the school’s team was well-equipped to implement Scotland’s languages policy, ‘Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach’ effectively and provide language entitlements for all learners. My participation in the LLP programme allowed me to achieve my objective. Attending various Summer School workshops and seminars, listening to and learning from those leading the way with languages was truly enlightening and inspirational. I felt empowered and motivated to take my learning from the LLP back to school and apply it in my school setting. This began by developing a new programme of study for L2, in addition to providing tailored CLPL sessions for staff to support language teaching in the primary classroom. Inspired by an LLP target language phonics workshop, I replicated some of the ideas and activities with staff. While everyone understood the role of phonics in developing literacy skills in English, no-one had considered its relevance in teaching another language, until this point.
Fast-forward to 2023 and registration is now open for this year’s SLLP. How time flies! With the pandemic, the programme moved to an online format and has continued to run in this manner. Regardless of geographical position, educators and aspiring leaders can join the programme from the remotest parts of Scotland to meet, learn and network with like-minded colleagues in an online setting. What’s more, the programme is free to all state schools and applications from educators with a minimum of 3 years’ teaching experience or equivalent in developing approaches to language learning and implementing change in their individual setting will be considered.
Teachers come through different pathways and may have relevant experience to make them suitable for the LLP and whilst having experience of leading on languages is desirable it is not essential for applications.
The programme is well-structured and offers successful applicants flexible and personalised pathways through Masters level professional learning. Apart from 2 core days of professional learning in June, between August ’23 and March ’24, participants can choose from a variety of online workshops, hosted in conjunction with local authorities, RICS and other external partners. Participants have the flexibility to select and attend the workshops that are relevant to them and their context. The flexible nature of the programme allows participants to work in a way that suits them with four reflective journal submissions spread across the duration of the programme.
Could the SLLP be for you?
Further information about the programme, including testimonials from recent participants, can be found here. In addition, an information session is due to take place on 23rd March online so keep a look out on the SCILT website for more details. If you’ve already made your mind up and the SLLP ‘24 is for you, you can register your details using the QR code on the attached flyer. If you have any queries, please drop us an email at scilt@strath.ac.uk.
We’d love to hear from you!
