South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme has been working with year 7 pupils at Clifton School to create a series of episodes for a French podcast that will be used by their peers, feeder primary schools and other secondary schools. 

Students involved in the project developed skills using Apple Mac software, recording and editing audio and adding music. They were keen to take control of the technology and were happy to stay behind after school to write scripts and record themselves speaking French.

Ruth Wilson, Head of the Modern Foreign Languages Department at Clifton said:

“With regards to the project and the 'perceived impact on learning', pupils who have been involved in producing the podcasts have gained in confidence when speaking French. They are more willing to contribute to class discussions and are keen to help others in the class. They are enormously proud of the work they have produced and this has improved how French is perceived by many other Y7 pupils.”

Other classes using the podcasts have been impressed with the work produced and liked the fact that they were listening to their peers speaking in French - a real confidence boost when learning a new language. The school feels that the project has been fun and motivational for all involved and will continue to use the technology to raise the profile of Modern Foreign Languages in school. 

Working closely with the South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme to deliver the project after school hours, Ruth said;

“The project has been really well organised and we are grateful for the planning that Catherine (SYeLP learning technologist) put in to get the project going and then pull it all together once the pupils had finished recording.

Most importantly the pupils have really enjoyed using the French they have learned in class and have produced a top quality piece of work. Producing the podcasts has given them a situation where their French has been used for a purpose. This is what every Modern Languages Teacher is searching for!”