Information for Secondary Schools
The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies works hard to nurture and expand the teaching and learning of modern foreign languages, film and media studies, and American and Canadian history and literature in schools in the local area.
We offer a range of outreach activities including taster days to give pupils an idea of what it is like to study a subject at university; special events held in schools themselves to give a taster of a particular area of study.
Please see below for details information about each event.
To book any of these events, please complete our booking form.
Events for schools and colleges
Language Taster days - On campus event
The aim of these taster days is to provide school pupils with an insight into studying these subjects at university and to experience being a student for a day. The day's activities may include some of the following: seminar, a presentation on our year abroad programme, question and answer sessions with current students, a taster language session and lunch in the Student's Union (Portland building). These days are primarily aimed at GCSE and A level groups, however aspirational younger groups may be able to attend. Please check with us when you request to book.
Individual Research Question (MFL) tutorials - Online
Academics from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures will provide 15 minute tutorials for those A level linguists preparing for this element of the MFL A level examination. Please note these tutorials are limited due to the availability of my colleagues.
Online language speaking practice sessions - Online
These weekly 30 minute sessions are led by pairs of languages students and aim to build confidence, consolidate knowledge and encourage oral development in GCSE and A level students. Each suite of sessions runs for half a term.
Language revision sessions (A level) - On campus
Students will have the chance to attend a focused session to hone their languages skills ahead of their exams. The session is six hours including lunch and students may attend unaccompanied.
Why Study Languages? - In-school presentations
Pairs of students will lead a 30-minute interactive session to raise awareness of their subject, answer pupil questions and engage the group in enthusiasm for languages!. These sessions work best when delivered to a class of 30. Please be aware that availability of students is a factor in setting dates and times for these sessions.
Being told about real life experiences from the students and just hearing bits from them about the different pathways they’ve taken with and around studying languages was really helpful in seeing the practicalities. It was the aspect of the trip that could be something to consider practically in the future rather than doing something completely different which was interesting.
Previous feedback from a pupil
Just wanted to say a big thank you for helping to organise the Why Study languages event this week. Based on pupils' feedback and their positive engagement on Tuesday, the event was a great success. I am feeling positive that the event hopefully will have a great impact on pupils when deciding their options this week and help boost the currently low numbers in languages.
Previous feedback from a teacher
I thought learning about the different pupils' experience with languages at the university was particularly interesting and helpful, as it can help you to understand how it all works and how learning languages can help you.
Previous feedback from a pupil
Find out more
Please email us for further information.