This document provides an agenda for a professional development service for teachers event focused on modern foreign languages. The all-day event on November 7th 2015 at Maynooth University includes sessions on using assessment for learning in the MFL classroom, effective use of technology like iPads, literacy strategies, active learning approaches, the Common European Framework of Reference, and scaffolding writing techniques. Target language sessions are offered in French, German, Spanish and Italian. Participants will receive resources and have opportunities for networking during lunch and tea/coffee breaks. The event aims to support teachers in bringing modern foreign languages alive in their classrooms.

1. Professional Development
Service for Teachers
An tSeirbhís um Fhorbairt
Ghairmiúil do Mhúinteoirí
TIME
9.00 - 9.30
9.30 - 9.40
9.40 - 10.20
10.20 - 10.35
10.35 - 11.00
11.00 - 11.30
11.30 - 12.00
12.00 - 12.30
12.30 - 1.00
13.00 - 14.00
14.00 - 14.30
14.30 - 14.45
14.45 - 15.00
15.00 - 15.45
15.45 - 16.00
REGISTRATION
WELCOME - Rachel Farrell, PDST Deputy Director and Caroline McHale, PDST Team Leader
‘In conversation with...’ Embassy & Léargas Representatives... Nathalie-Zoé Fabert (French Embassy),
Adolfo Carbón (Spanish Embassy) and Nellie Tattersall (Léargas) - Facilitated by Claire Matthews, PDST Advisor
Assessment for Learning in the MFL classroom - Maria Harney, PDST Associate
Scoilnet and other useful sites - Richard Egan, PDST Associate
TEA/COFFEE & CONVERSATION
FRENCH - Main Room GERMAN - Breakout 1 SPANISH & ITALIAN - Breakout 2
TARGET LANGUAGE SESSIONS
Effective use of iPads in the MFL classroom -
Dervla Murphy, PDST Associate
Effective literacy strategies for improving
listening comprehension -
Trisha McNeill, PDST Associate
Fostering an interest and a passion for the
target language country to help motivate
student’s learning - Ellen Barrett, PDST Associate
What a French class looks like in 2015! -
Ursula Bracken, PDST Associate
Planning for the integration of Literacy,
Numeracy & AfL - Trisha McNeill &
Aoife Healion, PDST Associates
Active Learning in Spanish & Italian -
Richard Egan & Ellen Barrett, PDST Associates
Shared learning session facilitated by
Anne Grills
Shared learning session facilitated by
Trisha McNeill & Aoife Healion, PDST Associates
Shared learning session facilitated by
Richard Egan & Ellen Barrett, PDST Associates
LUNCH AND NETWORKING
CEFR and the MFL Classroom with Frédérique Rantz (Language Advisor, Post Primary Languages Initiative)
Scaffolding Writing - Claire Matthews, PDST Advisor
PDST’s Active Learning Toolkit for MFL - Claire Matthews, PDST Advisor
TeachMeet
Distribution of Resources and Evaluation
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Alive
7th November 2015
Maynooth University, John Hume Building
@PDST_Ireland #MFLAlive15
Special thanks also to the following PDST MFL Associates & Facilitators: Angela Hughes, Niamh McGuirk, Ruth O’Callaghan, Bernie O’Shea,
Claire Redmond and Joanne Weir