Experts from Cardiff University emphasize the importance of a multilingual approach in young people's education to encourage the study of international languages later on.
The MFL Mentoring program, designed to promote international languages like French, Spanish, and German at GCSE level and beyond, has received three years of renewed funding from the Welsh Government due to its success. Professor Claire Gorrara and Lucy Jenkins, founders of MFL Mentoring, suggest integrating international languages early in the Curriculum for Wales.
They advocate for increased training for primary school teachers to enhance their skills in delivering multilingual language learning experiences. Cross-linguistic collaboration is also recommended to leverage connections between all languages, including English and Welsh. Professor Gorrara highlights the need for continued investment to promote language learning benefits among young people.
MFL Mentoring, with a decade of experience, operates in over 100 secondary schools in Wales. University students are trained as mentors to guide year 8 or 9 learners. The program involves six sessions where mentors share their language learning experiences, career opportunities, and personal benefits with younger peers. A recent evaluation shows that 68% of learners changed their perception of language learning.
Lucy Jenkins, Project Director of MFL Mentoring, emphasizes the mentors' role in shifting attitudes towards language learning. Gwilym Morgan, a Cardiff University student mentor, notes the program's impact on his skills and desire to become a language teacher. The mentoring sessions often change students' initial reluctance to learn languages, highlighting the value of languages in terms of travel, job opportunities, and cultural understanding.