British Academy Schools Language Awards 2013
Aiming higher! Encouraging take-up and progression to higher levels in language learning
The British Academy is again offering a series of Awards throughout the UK for the encouragement of excellence in language learning. The focus this year is on activity that encourages larger numbers of students to take languages to advanced and degree level. Applicants must demonstrate innovative and attainable plans for improving take-up and enthusiasm for language learning beyond the age of 16 (S5/S6 in Scotland). Projects which involve collaboration between sectors (e.g. between schools/colleges/universities, or with business or employers), or which target learners from less advantaged social groups or areas of the country, are particularly welcomed.
A total of 15 Awards of £4,000 each will be distributed to successful applicants throughout the UK
One UK national winner will receive £8,000
Download the complete information pack and apply now!
Deadline 31 May 2013
Register your interest and receive a reminder near the closing date by e-mailing baslas@britac.ac.uk.
See last year's winning projects.
Further information and FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for an Award?
Which languages do the Awards cover?
How can I apply for an Award?
What information is needed?
What is the deadline for applications?
Why is the British Academy offering these Awards?
How will the applications be judged?
What sort of activity is eligible?
Does the project have to have been started already, or can it be a new idea?
When will I be informed whether my school has won an Award?
How will the 15 Awards be distributed?
What will my school receive if it wins an Award?
Are there any conditions to fulfil if we receive an Award?
Can my school apply if it was a winner last year?
Which projects won Awards last year?
What if we don’t have a Sixth Form?
Information for applicants from Scotland
What if there are no advanced level exams in the languages we teach?
What is the difference between these Awards and the European Language Label?
Can someone answer a question about the Awards which is not covered in these FAQs?
If you would like a printable version of the FAQs and the documents they refer to, download the complete information pack.
Who is eligible to apply for an Award?
The Awards are open to all of the following based in the UK:
- Secondary schools (all types)
- FE and Sixth Form Colleges
- Supplementary or complementary schools*
- Organisations providing support to any of the above
- Partnerships involving one or more of the above with other organisations
*There is no official definition of supplementary or complementary schools. They vary in nature and size but generally, they are voluntary schools, organised by minority ethnic and linguistic groups to serve specific linguistic and/or religious and cultural groups, particularly through community language classes.
Reference: National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum (NALDIC)
We welcome applications from all parts of the UK.
Which languages do the Awards cover?
All languages count. The British Academy is strongly committed to helping to increase the range of languages learnt as well as encouraging greater numbers of students to take those which are commonly taught in schools and colleges. The only limitation is that projects may only involve English if it is being learnt in conjunction with another language.
Please complete the online application.
Click to see the list of questions on the application form in advance.
You will need to provide:
- Basic information about your organisation
- Current numbers of students taking languages to higher levels (i.e.beyond GCSE/Standard Grade)
- A description of the activities you intend to implement in order to increase these numbers.
Click for a document containing the list of questions. You can use this to prepare your application, then cut and paste your responses into the online form.
What is the deadline for applications?
31 May 2013
Why is the British Academy offering these Awards?
The British Academy wants to see increased numbers of students taking languages to a higher level. This will bring benefits for:
- the students themselves - employability and international opportunities
- the health of language study in the university sector
- British employers and the UK economy as a whole.
The British Academy Schools Language Awards are designed to support schools to implement imaginative new ways of encouraging more students to take language learning to higher levels, and to address the social imbalance in the profile of language learners at higher level. The Award scheme seeks to identify and stimulate good practice in this area which can be shared more widely.
See also Speak to the Future, the campaign for languages, also supported by the British Academy.
How will the applications be judged?
By a committee of judges appointed by the British Academy. The criteria will be:
- The extent to which the project is innovative and imaginative in bringing new approaches to improving take-up at higher levels
- The capacity of the organisation to implement the project in a sustainable way
- Whether the project would serve as an effective model which could be replicated elsewhere.
A small number of projects will be selected to receive a visit from a member of the organising team in order to verify the information provided and capacity of the applicant to implement the proposed project.
What sort of activity is eligible?
Any activity, or combinations of activities, which will move your students on to higher levels of study and motivate them in their language learning. For example:
- Different teaching approaches or curricular arrangements (intrinsic motivation)
- Careers activities or work experience (extrinsic motivation)
- Specific interventions to combat drop out
- Extra-curricular clubs or projects
- Visits, exchanges, masterclasses, etc.
- Combinations of any of the above.
The activities can involve GCSE/Standard Grade students, Sixth Formers or younger pupils, as long as the ultimate goal is to increase numbers studying languages beyond the age of 16.
We will also consider proposals in which students pick up a new language in the Sixth Form (S5/S6), as long as the ultimate aim is for them to take it beyond beginners level.
Does the project have to have been started already, or can it be a new idea?
You need to show that the way you want to use the £4,000 is going to be effective, so if it is something you have already successfully trialled, that will help to make the case, but it’s not essential.
The judges welcome new ideas too, but you must be able to convince them that your school is committed to making a success of them.
When will I be informed whether my school has won an Award?
All applications will be acknowledged by 31 July 2013. Winners will be notified by 30 September 2013.
How will the 15 Awards be distributed?
7 x Awards of £4000 each for mainstream schools and colleges, to be distributed as follows:
1. North (North East, North West, Yorkshire & Humber)
2. Midlands (East and West Midlands, East of England
3. London (including inner and outer London boroughs)
4. South East and South West
5. Scotland
6. Wales
7. Northern Ireland
7 x Awards of £4000 each for supplementary or complementary schools, on merit UK-wide
1 x Award for the best project overall, chosen from the above.
One overall winner will therefore receive 2 x Awards of £4000 = £8000
What will my school receive if it wins an Award?
Winners will be notified in September 2013 and the funds will be released in two stages:
1. 50% in October 2013 on receipt of a budget breakdown
2. 50% in March 2014 on receipt of a progress report
In addition to the cash prize, your school will be invited to an Award Ceremony at the British Academy in London. (An allowance for travel and subsistence will be paid). Winners will also receive a trophy and a certificate.
You will be expected to complete a full evaluation at the end of your project, and you may also receive a follow up visit from a Fellow of the British Academy. Your project will be promoted in the press and other media, and you will be encouraged and supported to publicise it locally.
Are there any conditions to fulfil if we receive an Award?
You will be required to provide an outline budget breakdown (October 2013), a short progress report (March 2014) and a final report on the success of your project in achieving its aims. A form will be provided for that purpose.
Can my school apply if it was a winner last year?
Yes, as long as the project is different from the one which won before and targets different groups of students.
Which projects won Awards last year?
Examples of last year’s winners are provided here.
Please be aware that this year’s awards have a particular focus on moving students on to higher levels of language study beyond the age of 16. The criteria for judging the awards are therefore slightly different from last year.
What if we don’t have a Sixth Form?
You can still apply, if you can show that more of your learners are going on to study languages elsewhere.
Information for applicants from Scotland
In Scotland, proposals seeking to increase uptake for languages in S5 and S6 (Higher and Advanced Higher), as well as through into university, are eligible.
What if there are no advanced level exams in the languages we teach?
Teachers can measure progression to higher levels of competence by using the Common European Framework of Reference, the Languages Ladder, or other types of certification available in this country or abroad.
We welcome applications relating to all languages!
What is the difference between these Awards and the European Language Label?
The British Academy Language Awards are different from the European Language Label in the following ways:
| British Academy Language Awards | European Language Label |
| UK wide, funded by the British Academy | Europe-wide, funded by the European Commission |
| Includes projects not yet started | Only covers project which have already been running for some time |
| Applicants must show that they have the capacity and the commitment to carry out the project they propose | Applicants must show their project has already been effective |
| Focus for 2013 is on progression to higher levels | Covers projects at all levels of language learning |
| Run by the British Academy | Run by CfBT Education Trust |
| Closing date 31 May | Closing date 21 April |
Link to information about the European Language Label
Can someone answer a question I have which is not covered in these FAQs?
Please email your question to: baslas@britac.ac.uk
