The Welsh Government and Bangor University are strengthening their commitment to promoting International Languages across North Wales through a growing school support initiative aimed at boosting language learning and supporting teachers through major curriculum changes.
Led by Nathalie Thomas and Ruben Chapela-Orri, and developed in close collaboration with education stakeholders across Wales, the International Languages Project is working directly with schools to support language departments, encourage pupil uptake, and help prepare for the Curriculum for Wales and the introduction of new GCSE specifications.
The project has already supported a wide range of secondary schools across the region, including Rhyl High School, Ysgol Maes Garmon, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Ysgol Dinas Brân, Ysgol John Bright, Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol y Creuddyn, Ysgol Tryfan, Ysgol Maelor and Ysgol Y Grango, alongside primary schools in the Holywell cluster and Maesglas.
Support delivered through the initiative has included curriculum planning, GCSE teaching strategies, departmental development, Key Stage 5 recruitment strategies, and guidance on film and literature components. A series of webinars have also been delivered with support from Bangor University Business Link Manager Darren Morley.
Teachers involved in the programme have praised the support being provided.
Staff at Ysgol Maes Garmon said: “Nathalie agreed to meet with the department during one of our INSET days to deliver support with planning for the new curriculum and GCSE. The talk was friendly and contained a plethora of ideas, with the offer of practical support which will be of invaluable help to our department. Long may the new initiative continue and be allowed to develop and flourish.”
Meanwhile, teachers at Rhyl High School highlighted the responsiveness and ongoing support provided through the project.
“To date, it has been really great collaborating with Nathalie,” they said. “She offers such helpful support, guidance and advice, and she always takes the time to answer my questions. She is incredibly efficient with e-mails and always responds quickly, and she is very efficient at setting up Teams meetings whenever needed too.”
Schools have described the International Languages Project as “a breath of fresh air” and “a lifeline” for departments adapting to significant curriculum changes, with teachers praising the practical advice, rapid support and renewed confidence it has brought to International Languages teaching in Wales.
The project’s impact and ongoing development have also been shared with Bangor University’s Community Board as part of wider efforts to strengthen collaboration between schools and the university across the region.
