Lynne Tommony (Lead Primary Languages Consultant, Stockport)

It is with pleasure that we introduce the first of our 'Five minutes with...' primary languages personalities. Find out how you can nominate someone for Five minutes with...

What is your background in languages?

I started learning French in Year 6 and have always loved the language so continued with it at university, along with Latin and Italian. Recently, I started to learn Spanish - a challenge I'm enjoying. There are so many comparisons to make with the languages I already have.

How do you think languages can be life enhancing?

All I can say is that I wouldn't give up my background in languages for anything. It has certainly proved to be life enhancing for me. I have long-standing friends in several countries - people like Virginia Calore, my Italian penfriend of nearly 42 years.

The languages I have studied, especially Latin, have deepened my understanding of English, to the point where these days I fear I'm fast becoming a grammar pedant. I'm frequently lamenting some current English usage, the use of the apostrophe for example! But at the same time I realise that language constantly changes and evolves and in doing so, achieves its main aim of efficient communication.

Tell us about recent developments in Stockport

Training offered in Stockport this year has a more strategic flavour to it. We are concentrating on subject leadership as well as planning, assessment and progression. Our main event for this year, National Languages Strategy Briefings (primary and secondary) for Headteachers, took place recently. We were privileged to welcome Dr Lid King, National Director for Languages, and Nick Warren, now a private consultant, to deliver many of the key messages.

The Foreign Language Assistant programme is one our of successes that continues to go from strength to strength. There are now 37 primaries participating and we also are planning an event with the British Council to encourage even more schools to take part in the International School Award.

Looking ahead to January, CILT will help us deliver training to secondary heads of languages on the '5 Transition Bridges' from which we hope a strategic working party will emerge. The summer term will see new language courses for teachers and there will be further investment in the future as we run our first 20 hour course for Newly and Recently Qualified Teachers.

But even with all these activities going on, be assured that we are not losing sight of the enjoyment factor! We have just launched our Global Christmas music project (Christmas songs in Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish), and have planned Take 10 workshops for the summer looking at combining languages with P.E.

What are your main challenges locally?

One or two schools have yet to engage properly. For example, by involving class teachers to ensure that languages becomes fully embedded across the curriculum. Some schools still buy in a teacher to deliver language lessons for PPA cover or rely too heavily on a visiting secondary teacher. Language competence and confidence still remains a real barrier for some teachers. 

What do you find most rewarding about your position?

There are many things I find rewarding about the job, including how much primary children enjoy their language learning. A highlight for this year has been working with children in Special Schools, children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and many non-verbal children. The 'Every Child' aspect of entitlement really is totally inclusive.

I also love working with young teachers. Their enthusiasm, creativity and capacity for change seems boundless and feeling that I might be helping to mould their practice in some small way is incredibly rewarding. 

Most of all though, I enjoy being part the national languages network. It feels like belonging to a family, such is the warmth, generosity, support and fraternity. I'm reliably told that this isn't the same for other subjects.

And finally, what piece of advice would you give to anyone starting out teaching primary languages?

This question is probably the easiest to answer. Very early on I adopted the mantra, "You can do a lot with a little and it's better to do a little well". This still serves many of the teachers with whom I work well. It comforts and reassures them and often gives them a foothold on the confidence ladder.

Nominate a colleague for the next Five minutes with...

Is there someone you know in the world of primary languages you would like to see featured in Five minutes with...? If so, let us know! Send your Five minutes with... nominations to ruth.churchill@cilt.org.uk