The Language Revolution

Several of the podcast episodes so far have looked at alternative approaches to teaching language and languages in school, such as creative translation, multilingual poetry, and introducing concepts from the science of linguistics more explicitly from an early age. But why do we need to reform language education? Is it the rationale? The pedagogy? The policies supporting it? In this episode, I’m talking to a Head of Modern Languages in a secondary school, a blogger and activist who is calling for fundamental curriculum reform for language education. He goes by the nom de guerre ‘Transform MFL’ on Twitter. Let's talk revolution! 

Wondering how translation works, or why translation is important? Won't Google Translate and AI just take over from human translation soon anyway? In Episode 14, Cate talks to Dr Charlotte Ryland, director of the Stephen Spender Trust and Queen's College Translation Exchange, about what translation is, and why it just might be the answer to the UK languages 'crisis' in schools. Read the accompanying blog on our website here.

English is a mad pidgin language made up of archaic rules and brand new ones, and constantly changing. Grammar is not fundamental to learning a language: stories and images are fundamental. Kate Clanchy argues that idioms are the most important thing, and that all the unlistable connections, and the ineffable processes of learning language can be captured through the immersive process of sharing and writing poems. Her EAL/ESL pupils have won awards for their poetry, and learned English in the process. How does she do it? Is she multilingual? What about dyslexic children? Listen to find out her secret ingredient.

Is poetry the preserve of the elite, or can anyone, from anywhere, write a poem worth reading? In Episode 12, Cate talks to award-winning poet, teacher, and encourager of creative writing Kate Clanchy. Her students come from diverse and sometimes difficult backgrounds, and now find themselves writing poetry in a school in Oxford, England. Listen to their life stories, their poems, and how writing poetry is helping migrant children find their voices in unexpected ways.

Our voices matter to us, and having a voice is central to our experience as humans. But what if our voice is silenced, or gets taken away, or manipulated by the media? This is the experience of many refugees and migrants. In Episode 11, Cate talks about talking to the founder of Conversations from Calais, Mathilda Della Torre, who is using her graphic design skills to help re-humanise the refugee crisis by giving a voice to migrants in Calais. Some of the content is highly emotive. All of it is true.

In this extended episode, we hear Michael Rosen on education and this thing called 'Literacy'. Is it the same as literature? Is Literacy a good approach for teaching children about languages and how we use them? What tips does Michael have for teachers to encourage children to love words? Is teaching abstract grammar useful? Is there such a thing as 'proper' English? And what does happen to the bear at the end of We're Going on a Bear Hunt?

If children love the sound and feel of words, then why don't we all grow up to be writers and poets? In this episode, Cate talks to poet, writer and children's literature expert Michael Rosen about how we go from playing with language as young children, to becoming confident (or not-so-confident) adults who use language for reading, talking and writing. Why does he think being silly is a good idea sometimes? Doesn't writing or poetry have to be deadly serious? And why is learning through talk so important to both children and adults, not just in arts subjects but in scientific contexts, like hospitals, too?

What's the scariest two-word horror story? English grammar. If linguistics is the Mount Everest of subjects, then grammar contributes to altitude sickness in all but the most experienced climbers. In this episode, Cate talks to linguistics expert Professor David Crystal about why linguistics matters, how we can untangle ourselves from grammatical confusion, and start playing with words again. Children are, after all, natural rap poets and learning grammar is just like driving a car, taking us to exciting new places.

Scouse? Cockney? Received Pronunciation? Do you speak with an accent? Join Cate in discussion with Professor David Crystal and Ben Crystal about English accents past and present. What did a London accent sound like in Shakespeare's day compared to today? Is there a 'standard' accent we should aim for? Find out in Episode 7 of The Language Revolution Podcast.

If Shakespeare were alive today, would he be a public speaking coach helping business leaders and professionals 'talk like TED'? In the sixth episode of The Language Revolution Podcast, Cate talks to actor, writer and producer Ben Crystal about oracy and the art of speaking in public, and whether Shakespeare could be a route into helping foster a love of talking.