Scottish Catholic Observer

A Catholic secondary school in Glasgow has received an award for its work combining languages with workplace experience.

St Roch’s Secondary School received the European Language Label award for its innovative Skills for Life and Work course, which is delivered through the school’s Business Education and Modern Languages departments.

Award

The award, which recognises innovative and effective practice in language teaching and learning, was presented to St Roch’s last Monday, to mark the European Day of Languages, at a ceremony at the European Commission’s UK office in London.

The school was also commended for its work with business partners, Halcrow Engineering, John Lewis and Novotel, to develop new skills and show pupils the relevance and importance of languages in their careers.

A total of 11 awards were won by schools and colleges in the UK, along with awards for excellence in education-business partnerships involving foreign languages.

Achievement

Bailie Jean McFadden, Glasgow City Council’s executive member for education, expressed her delight at St Roch’s ‘great achievement’ and commended the staff and pupils involved with the project.

“This is fantastic news and I congratulate everyone involved, particularly the staff who designed the course, giving young people the chance to take part in a subject designed to suit their very needs,” Ms McFadden said.

The course has been on offer at St Roch’s since 2008. It links the teaching and learning of languages and work experience with the school’s business partners. Under their guidance pupils gain hands-on experience in the city’s business industry.

Skills and confidence

Jacqueline Gallagher, principal teacher of modern languages at the school, said the project has seen ‘a massive change in pupils’ confidence.’

“Not only has it improved their employability skills but it’s helped them engage in the learning process with enthusiasm so that they will have confidence in their own abilities,” she said.

The European Label is awarded to local, regional, or national projects that have found creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivation of students, and making the most of available resources.

Projects must demonstrate creative thinking and be innovative, effective and replicable by others in the UK and other countries. So far, 20 schools in Scotland have requested material from St Roch’s.