Shropshire Languages Society

Shropshire Languages Society (sometimes also known as Shropshire Languages, Shrop Langs or SLS) is an organisation based mainly in Shrewsbury which promotes the study of languages, and supports the related study and careers issues. The society has connections with many of the schools and colleges nearby to whose students it offers the language learning and careers service.

Background

The society caters for all people over the age of five and it is comprised from a team of professionals, several of whom are amongst some of Shropshire's most talented, successful and respected linguists. Some specialists actually speak their language as a mother tongue. Its services are free of charge and funding for resources is gained through charitable status and fundraising. Specialist provision in a number of foreign languages for a variety of age groups is coordinated by a professional team of Learning Consultants overseen by the senior members of the team including the President and Chair. It is sometimes described as similar to Connexions, the careers service for young people. The society has bases within public places around Shrewsbury and also operates in venues such as cafés. Since introducing British Sign Language (B.S.L) into the specialist provision, the society has also moved on to act as an inclusion service to strive to eliminate discrimination for those who have language or physical communication impairments such as dyslexia.

Students aged 14 are encouraged to take a language post the age of 14 and, from 2011, can have their studies at GCSE supplemented by a bridging course from GCSE to AS level. The society has an outreach service and also provides valuable resources which has no statory funding for the local academic community. Since introducing Expressive Arts as a subject which they combine languages with into the enrichment they are able to hold a Drama club. In January 2012, they produced a foreign languages musical which allowed AS/A level language students to combine their studies with Expressive Arts. There is also a Student Union which enables students of foreign languages to come together and share their views and organise events.

The society formed in around December 2006 from the amalgamation of some other language societies which specialised in one foreign language. The history of these organisations dates back to around 1962. Since the Victorian Era, people in Shrewsbury had met to converse in languages other than English.

New specialisms are occasionally introduced, which expand the range of services the society can offer. Links are being formed with linguists in other countries enabling possible language exchanges. The society is independent from the council and the local authority, although occasional liaison takes place. In 2012, the Society officially gained charitable status from HM Revenue and Customs allowing fundraising and charitable activities to raise funding for the resources for which no statutory funding is available. CPD can be offered to enhance teaching in the primary sector where subject specialists are not available due to languages being such a specialist subject.

Awards are given out by the society for achievement in the subject area of languages. These are often dedicated to deceased members of the society's staff. There are also competitions ranging from translating song lyrics into English to the Languages Enterprise which helps to combine language learning with business.

Offerings

Outreach service = a connection with several local schools and colleges which enables students to use the society's services. LP14 = studies of Languages Post 14. ICT Support = support using ICT when learning languages. LP16 = studies of Languages Post 16. General learning and progression advice related to languages.

History

The society has effectively existed in two different versions:

2006 – 2010

In its original incarnation of Shropshire Languages effectively remained the same as its predecessor organisations, whilst it catered for French, German, Spanish and occasionally Italian and Portuguese. Later it began to promote languages and from January 2007, it introduced the sharing of an audio-visual library between a few centres.

2010 – present

From 2010, the society received a makeover to bring it up to date for the decade and so could appeal to a wider and younger audience. Many new languages were introduced as was Sign Language which led to the society supporting the inclusion of groups with sensory impairments such as deafness. New specialisms were also brought in and the society has effectively now evolved into a learning and careers service. It still remains an exempt charitable trust and gains external funding.

Function and activities

The society acts as an learning advice and enrichment body for modern foreign languages and English. It assists learners of all ages over 5 to find language courses appropriate to their level. It also supports people in the workplace who suffer from sensory impairments such as deafness or blindness.

Theatrical specialism

The society holds annual shows which are specially written to reinforce the grammar content studied in foreign languages at AS/A level. The parts in these are offered to local students taking GCSE or AS/A level in a language and drama or music. Due to numbers they have to date only been offered in French. The most recent of these was Le Rêve du Charpentier, a modern nativity set in Nazareth, France (not Nazareth in Israel). The musical numbers in this were confected to help learners master verb tenses in a similar way sometimes used for learning times tables at a younger age. There are plans for a further musical which is being written at present.

Other versions

Due to the unique approach and success of Shropshire Languages Society, the society is expected to be recreated in the Gloucestershire area which will target similar support and services at local schools and colleges.

See also

  • Connexions
  • Cervantes Institute
  • Goethe Institut
  • Routes into Languages
  • Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS)
  • Confucius Institute