2025 Trainee Teacher Event

Index

Click on the heading to jump to the section:  (Helen is very proud that she can do this now and has uploaded a video of the process in a YouTube here in case anyone is interested!)

Thanks

THANK YOU so much to the staff of the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies  for offering to  host us at Senate House this year and for looking after us so well.    Cathy Collins coordinated everything,  Jenny Stubbs welcomed us and had set up all the signs and the tech, (we loved her arrows) and it was a real bonus that Dr Joe Ford could join us at the start to tell us about the work and wonderful facilities of the Institute. Thanks also to Professor Charles Burdett for his support.

Thanks to the trainee teachers who came along  – not an easy time of year for people who have just started their placements.  We were delighted that there was representation from several institutions: St Mary’s University, Twickenham, Goldsmiths University of London, Kings’ College London, University College of London, National Institute of Teachers, the University of Reading and National Modern Languages SCITT.

Goodies

Those  who attended took away analogue goodies  – magazines, fliers, ‘Top Tips’ books, promotional material about ALL and sweets/ juices!  Digital versions of some of these are available as follows:

    • A ‘Top Tips’ booklet produced by the committee a few years ago can be downloaded here for free. (Thank you, Linguascope, for producing the hard copy and hosting this on your site and for offering to produce an updated version.  We’re on the case!).
    • Languages Today Magazine – there are digital samples on this page
    • Flyer: Reasons to join ALL

Photos

There are fewer photos this year as Helen’s mobile phone camera was not reliable, but there are enough to capture the happy atmosphere and thanks to Fatima who got some action shots of Helen taking photos..!:

2025-10-13 18.10.58

Presentation

Here is a link to the PowerPoint presentation shared: ALL London Trainee reception Oct 25 pdf for attendees final

After Wanda’s ‘Find someone who’ ice breaker (which revealed many hidden talents amongst the trainees), Joe Ford talked enthusiastically about the events and projects of the institute including the following:

Helen Myers (Chair) talked about the work of ALL London and especially asked people to save the 2025-2026 dates in our calendar, in particular Saturday 17th January 2026 at the BFI.

Some members of the ALL London Committee then shared some tips:

  • Darnelle Constant-Shepherd showed how a ‘sac surprise’ could add interest to practising prepositions  with countries (students hold cards with words ‘from + a country’  – individual students draw  an item or card out of a ‘sac surprise’  and guess from which country it comes)
  • Wanda Marshall demonstrated superb modelling skills as she led us through how to make a mini-book and shared ideas as to how this could be turned into a way of recording languages in a fun way (e.g. a diary)
  • Liz Fotheringham showed how easy access to colourful and stimulating photographs from the target language can support guided and spontaneous speaking e.g. odd one out – ask and answer a set of questions (who, why, what , where, when, how etc.); see part of a picture and guess what is happening)
  • Nick Mair shared a game to practise describing a picture  -actions taught for ‘to the left’ – ‘to the right’ – ‘seated’ – ‘standing’ – then a competition between groups in the class to decide who would get to leave the classroom first – with some important advice about how to keep everyone involved and focused (group responsibility) and how to avoid picking on individuals!  (They all need to be on board and focused!)

Finally, our VIP guest,  ALL’s Co-President Anna Lise Gordon outlined the professional benefits of being a member of ALL and in particular urged Trainees to do whatever they could to attend the vibrant 2-day conference ‘Language World’.  Anna Lise commented on what a lovely group of trainees attended, and there is a lovely photo of her with some Goldmiths students in our album -we’ve chosen that picture as our front cover.

Special thanks go to Fatima Khaled  for treated us to delicious Baklava and to ALL London committee member and Past President, Judith Rifeser,  who shared a lovely message and photo of her new-born son.  So sweet!

‘To do’ checklist

We suggest this as a ‘to do’ list for teacher trainees following the meeting.  We have extracted the advice from the PowerPoint presentation.

You can download a copy in word here: Trainee Teacher 25 To do list

Checklist:  20 things you can do now!

  1. Join ALL as a student : See range of packages available; Go straight to join as an ECT .  Use the code 35TENOFF for a 10% discount (valid util 14th November) or ECT10 (valid until 30th November). This gives you access to load of benefits including access to the Language Learning Journal and the popular magazine Languages Today (useful for assignments) and maximum discount on events
  2. Register for the ALL London January Event– Saturday 17th January 2026 at the lovely BFI, Southbank. This will have a session dedicated to you – supporting CV writing and interview preparation., plus job-seeking opportunities and offers. (Free to you). https://tinyurl.com/alljanevent26
  3. Sign up for the Language Show online and come along to our Show and Tell slot on Saturday 15thNovember 5.30 – 7. Tell us if you’d like to present a quick idea by filling in the Google form on this page: https://all-london.org.uk/event/all-london-teachers-show-and-tell/
  4. Visit  our webinars page. https://all-london.org.uk/webinars/Watch the latest (number 199) from Jérôme Noguès on setting up your professional social media profile.
  5. Join our ALL London Regional Branch LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14368554/
  6. Follow our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ALLLondonpage/
  7. Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/all-london.org.uk
  8. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alllondonbranch/
  9. Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/alllondonbranch
  10. Send us your mobile number if you want to join our WhatsApp social group. Email: info@all-london.org.uk
  11. Explore the London: City of Languageswebsite for events, resources, activities and news https://londoncityoflanguages.org.uk/
  12. Launch the London: City of Languages Logo competition in your school: (Closing date Monday 4th November 25) https://londoncityoflanguages.org.uk/activity/london-city-of-languages-logo-competition/
  13. See ready-made PowerPoints to help the launch here: https://londoncityoflanguages.org.uk/resources/
  14. Recognise the unique contribution of Home Heritage and Cultural Languagesto language learning. See what Hackney does here: https://londoncityoflanguages.org.uk/activity/language-of-the-month/
  15. Explore the HHCL Special Interest Group’s ideas : https://www.all-languages.org.uk/research-practice/language-zones/home-heritage-community-languages/
  16. Register for ALL’s flagship 2-day conference ‘Language World’. Maximum discount for trainees https://www.delegate-reg.co.uk/lw2026
  17. Register for ALL’s online Trainee social webinars led by Steven Fawkes. Weds 19th November 18:30 on Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/SocialNov25
  18. Explore ALL’s webpage for Trainees : https://www.all-languages.org.uk/student/
  19. Explore the Barry Jones archive, packed with practical ideas: https://www.all-languages.org.uk/student/barry-jones-archive/
  20. Follow up on links given by Dr Joe Ford about the work of the Institute of Languages, Culture and Sciences:

Initial invitation

The  invitation:

🎓 Welcome Event for Trainee Language Teachers
Hosted by the Association for Language Learning – ALL London

🗓️ Date: Monday 13th October 2025
🕓 Time: Arrive from 4.30 pm | Start: 5.00 pm | End: 6.00 pm
📍 Venue: Room 349, Senate House | Malet Street | London WC1E 7HU | UK

Are you training to become a primary or secondary language teacher?
Come and meet fellow student teachers at this FREE and friendly social event!

✅ Connect with other London-based trainee teachers
✅ Discover what the Association for Language Learning (ALL) offers
✅ Pick up a free booklet of Top Teaching Tips
✅ Hear from experienced teachers (primary & secondary)
✅ Enjoy refreshments and a relaxed, informal vibe
✅ Meet Professor Anna Lise Gordon, Co-President of ALL (2025–2026)

🎉 Whether you’re just starting or nearly qualified, this event is for YOU!

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