Why+do+it?

What it does for young people - //by Rachel Hawkes, Comberton Village College//

The Language Leader Award develops student leadership skills and linguistic skills. Learners of all abilities gain a tremendous amount of satisfaction and confidence from sharing what they know with others. It is also known that we retain the knowledge that we teach actively to others far more effectively than that which we take on board in a more passive way.

Here is a summary of the principal gains of the Language Leader Award programme:

• rewards their language learning • gives them a purpose and context for their language skills • develops their generic communication and leadership skills • gives them a better understanding of themselves as learners • gives a better understanding of the role of the teacher • enhances their self-esteem and confidence • improves their evaluative and analytical skills • increases their personal attainment in a foreign language