Multilingual Mentoring in Primary Schools was a pilot project modelled on the MFL Mentoring project that was delivered during the 2024-25 academic year.
The project partnered university students who spoke more than one language with Cardiff primary schools to encourage learners aged 9-11 to develop an enthusiasm and motivation for language learning. The mentors did this by running face-to-face sessions and workshops about language, culture and identity.
An exciting development of the new Curriculum for Wales is the earlier introduction of International Languages at primary level. This project offered much-needed support to the primary sector as they began developing their exciting languages provision. With this in mind, the project’s mission and vision was to:
- encourage learners to be curious about all languages and cultures
- challenge perspectives and assumptions about others
- promote a sense of global community
- celebrate cultural and linguistic diversity
- highlight how languages support wellbeing and personal growth
The project was funded by The South Wales Civic Engagement Partnership (administrated by the University of South Wales) and ran across four Welsh Higher Institutions: Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of South Wales, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
If you would like more information about this pilot project, please contact Ana Carrasco at carrascoa@cardiff.ac.uk