A round-up of Languages (and edu!) in the news and online:
What makes a language attractive – its sound, national identity or familiarity?
Matthew Jenkin @ The Guardian, UK
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jul/17/what-makes-a-language-attractive
The allure of a language may have more to do with perceptions of that country’s status and social values than its actual sound.
Primary Languages starter pack
Materials to support teaching of Languages in UK primary schools
https://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/sites/so/files/files/Primary%20Language%20Starter%20Pack%282%29.pdf
Give Languages a fair shout
We need policy to foster foreign language study at all levels of education, says Jocelyn Wyburd
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/comment/opinion/give-languages-a-fair-shout/2015503.article
How the job of a teacher compares around the world
http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/sep/05/how-the-job-of-a-teacher-compares-around-the-world?CMP=twt_gu
Chinese teachers are treated with the greatest respect, while Finland’s education system offers the best value for money
What makes a parent love a teacher
Jennifer Gonzalez @ Corkboard Connections
http://corkboardconnections.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/what-makes-parent-love-teacher.html
Identity: yours, mine, ours is an exhibition at the Immigration Museum.
It is about identity – who we are, who others think we are, and what it means to belong and not belong in Australia.
http://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/identity/about-the-exhibition/
There is a strong Languages presence in the UK Media at the moment – wouldn’t it be great to see Languages featured more in the Australian media! Please send links and recommendations to [email protected]