Creativity and commitment at heart of schools' language films
Last updated | 13/03/2008
A special presentation to the Lifelong Learning Committee today (Wednesday 12 March 2008) will highlight a creative approach to modern languages learning by Perth and Kinross schools.
Three of the Council's secondary schools (Perth High School, Blairgowrie High School and Breadalbane Academy) have written, directed and produced short films in different languages, with Breadalbane Academy's film, in Gaelic and Chinese, believed to be the first of its kind.
Committee members will see the films as part of the presentation, with introductions from pupils at Perth High and Blairgowrie High.
Breadalbane's film is based on a Chinese fable with the theme of good and evil, and a pearl and two creatures at its centre which are transformed into a loch and two mountains. This seemed an ideal match given the freshwater pearls that can be found in the River Tay and the school's proximity to Schiehallion and Loch Tay. Work on the film brought together pupils from P6 to S6, with a focus on transition from primary to secondary education.
Blairgowrie High's film involved pupils from S1 to S6 and was in both French and German. It looks at language learning, with Hamish the Hamster finding an unique solution out and about in the town!
S4 pupils at Perth High produced a film in German which took the theme of 'There is nothing on TV!', taking a look at Perth itself and playing on the Scots language for humorous translations.
The films were developed following an initial proposal to all modern language departments in June 2006 to look at making a short film in either French or German. Pupils have put their ICT skills and talents in writing, art and animation to good use to make the films, supported by modern languages, art and English teaching staff in schools and officers from Education and Children's Services.
Inspiration and advice on film making came through visits to the Discovery Film Festival for children and young people held at Dundee Contemporary Arts and meetings with scriptwriters and film industry professionals.
Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Liz Grant said: "These are excellent examples of creative thinking about learning and commitment from pupils and staff to develop something interesting and unique. The short films are genuine cross-curriculum activity that has given different departments and pupils across the age range in each school the chance to work together in a new way. I am delighted that the Committee will have the opportunity to see the films and witness the collaborative work being taken forward in our schools."
