The New Alliance: Pedagogy and Student Experience in Intercultural Professional Learning Hazel Crichton Brian Templeton

Background to study The two courses (FLE/PGDE) Findings Outcomes Discussion

Aims of Research Effective Practice in Host university Comparison of perceptions of theory- led and practice-led pedagogies

Background- Masters FLE year 1 Acquisition of French as a foreign language; Linguistics; French and francophone culture and literature; Phonetics; Pedagogy

Masters FLE year 2 PGDE/teaching pathway Business pathway Academic research pathway

PGDE 36 weeks 18 in Faculty 18 on placement in schools 3 components: Understanding learning and teaching; evaluating learning and teaching; subject methodology Teaching and learning organised in seminars and collaborative groupings

The Student Cohort 4 women, 1 man All with degrees in French literature and language All had previously lived and worked abroad All wanted to teach

Semi-structured interviews 5 weeks into the first term (Faculty only) At end of the course (Faculty + school placements)

Initial Findings from first interviews I think university in France is designed to make you a researcher. Its a very theoretical approach. (Student 5) I cannot find any similarities actually … in France most of the time, I wont say were passive, but its not the same way of teaching so were more into taking notes and listening for hours… (Student 4)

Collaborative Learning I did the training for the CAPES, but its not the same; its more about academic excellence in the theory, rather than if you have a good personality for a teacher (Student 5) Here you are asked to work in groups. I like it because you can learn from others. Its not just the teachers; its also about us. (Student 3)

Findings from second interviews The good thing is that its really complementary with what weve done (Student 4) … when you are in the university you have the whole time for the reading and theory and in school you put it into practice and reflect on why youre doing it. (Student 3)

Reflection The way of reflect as well, the way of learning by writing a journal; in the beginning it was quite tough … but now its like a companion, its something really useful. (Student 1) [Reflection]s not something we do quite naturally … At the beginning it was hard, working and always reflecting, but very useful. (Student 4)

Collegiality …its better for teachers to have opportunity to share their way of teaching and their feelings. I think that collegiality doesnt exist in France. (Student 2) I like that you work in a team with your department, because in France youre really on your own … you dont share resources.(Student 1)

Action points regarding PGDE course Greater input on Scottish education system, more closely focussed on CfE Use of buddies (pairing FLE student with Scottish student)

Areas for further investigation Follow-up interviews at end of probation year New round of interviews with present cohort Three way buddy system for mutual support with FLE student, UK national and ex-FLA assistant Further investigation into research led and research active programmes