MFLO was an Aimhigher-funded aspiration and attainment raising partnership between MMU and the University of Salford. It was launched in 2004 and welcomed approximately 600 year 8 and 9 pupils a year to modern language taster days at the two universities.
Pupils spend the day improving their skills in a language they already study, tasting a new language and engaging in quizzes, competitions and games for prizes. European food is provided and language students act as student ambassadors for the events, talking to the young people about possible careers in languages and what it is like to study at university.
In 2008 when Aimhigher funding could no longer fund the project, MMU agreed to continue to offer these days a part of its commitment to Widening Participation. In January 2009 almost 600 Year 9 pupils were welcomed to MMU over 4 days to discover more about the benefits of studying languages, to develop their skills and to sample a new language. Feedback has been extremely positive and it is hoped to continue the days in the future.
Over the past three years, specialist developers have built up a portfolio of accessible and fun language activities. In 2007 additional funding was granted to allow the development of language materials for parents and guardians.
These materials are now available for teachers to use in schools click here <link to MFLO Materials below> to access materials.
If you would like to find out more about the project, please contact Peter Riley (p.riley@mmu.ac.uk).
The Department of Languages at MMU is also the lead institution in the Greater Manchester Routes Into Languages Consortium which is developing and delivering sessions in community and lesser taught languages (Urdu, Mandarin, Arabic for example). If you would like information about this or other outreach activities in languages, please contact Lynn Ashby (l.ashby@mmu.ac.uk)