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Region's schools visit York to forge closer ties

Posted on 12 July 2013

Language and linguistics staff forge closer ties with schools and colleges through presentations of research and key concepts.

Researchers from the University of York's Department of Language and Linguistic Science hosted a free one-day workshop for English Language A-Level teachers as part of a project to develop and expand its relationships with schools and colleges.

The widening participation event was attended by 15 teachers from schools and sixth form colleges across Yorkshire and the Humber, including York's All Saints RC School and Fulford School.

The continuing professional development (CPD) workshop covered core areas of the English Language AS/A2 curriculum where the Department has particular research expertise - language change, language acquisition and the properties of spoken language.

Feedback from delegates included: "A genuinely thought-provoking and highly practical day", "Lots to take back and share with my department and students" and "All sessions were eye-opening and excellent curriculum links".

Each session involved the presentation of a research paper by its author, hands-on data analysis designed to transfer directly to the classroom, and suggestions of further readings/resources and potential topics for language investigation coursework projects.

Organiser Dr Sam Hellmuth, from the Department of Language and Linguistic Science, said: "This initiative forms part of the Department’s commitment both to widening participation in higher education, and to external engagement with potential end-users of the world-leading and internationally excellent linguistic research generated by our staff."

Development of the bespoke workshop materials was funded by the University of York Widening Participation Fund as part of a wider project to develop and expand on existing relationships with schools and colleges.

Any schools or colleges wishing to find out more about future workshops or who would like to discuss the possibility of researchers from the Department of Language and Linguistic Science visiting their school or college can contact linguistics@york.ac.uk.

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