Internationalism is not just about linking with and learning about other countries, it is strongly embedded in language learning.  As part of our community outreach projects not only are we offering Russian, Estonian and Chinese to our primary schools, we are also offering these languages to our VI Form as part of their enrichment classes. 

Now that we are resident in our brand new International Centre, we are investigating offering these languages together with French, German and Polish to the wider community via evening classes.  We are talking to the local police and to the HSBC bank about offering Polish language classes specific to them.  We are also looking at offering the International Centre as a venue for the Polish community to hold a social evening once a month.  For the first time this year, the school will be employing four Modern Foreign Language Assistants.  Joining our Chinese Assistant will be French and German Language Assistants and an Estonian Assistant engaged through Comenius. 

We are also investigating ways in which we can improve the use of the school’s fantastic videoconferencing facilities to enable all the pupils in the school to participate fully in all the link activities.  It would be nice if all pupils could have the opportunity of visiting these amazing countries for themselves, but many factors influence pupils’ ability to fully participate.  Video conferencing will enable more pupils to become actively involved in these projects and to feel a sense of “ownership”.  There are many smaller, international projects in which the school can get involved, such as the international Christmas Card project.  A fantastic introduction to the concept of internationalism for our Year 7 pupils and an opportunity for them to share their experiences with other children from all over the world.

Our pupils are predominantly white and have little contact with people from other racial groups. The benefits to them are easy to see. Our international links address racial issues in an accessible way and enables pupils to begin to view themselves as global citizens. Internationalism works because it forms part of the taught curriculum. It is reflected in the school environment and related to real people with whom our pupils can communicate. 

For more information on Modern Languages at Polesworth-ILC, click here