Background Having participated in Council run language courses,staff members identified the need to further develop their language skills and understanding of European culture. In addition to this, modern languages had been identified as a priority for school improvement in relation to Curriculum for Excellence and the new 1 + 2 Language policy. Following discussions with the 1+2 language development officers and researching courses the teachers identified the LFEE courses as the best tool for their needs. The application was completed after discussion by school management to confirm their support and enthusiasm for the project. Objectives The teachers' objectives were to develop teaching strategies and methods, increase language knowledge and expertise and develop a whole school ethos which embraced modern languages and other cultures. Their aim was to share this with colleagues across the school and authority. Participants Four class teachers attended LFEE courses in July 2015. Two traveled to Spain and two to France. Description of Activities The teachers attended an intensive 7 day immersion course in their chosen country. They worked in small groups participating in activities which were designed to both improve their own language skills and to provide them with a range of ideas and resources for teaching modern languages in primary schools. The courses immersed the individuals in French/Spanish culture and language. The teachers also took part in cultural trips and activities designed to heighten their awareness of the culture and traditions of their host country. Results and Impact The key actions this session are as follows: French in the Classroom All teachers now deliver some everyday commands/routines in French and many do their morning register in French. The staff often greet each other and the children in French. This has resulted in a culture where staff and pupils are welcoming and receptive to other cultures and languages. All classes receive direct teaching of French each week. Teachers who attended the course use songs and videos as well as teaching ideas from the course as part of the children’s learning experiences. These have been shared effectively with other staff. French Word of the Week and Resource of the Week Each week we have a French word and resource of the week to motivate staff to use French weekly and to give them an area of French to focus on. Many of these resources were recommended on the course including the ‘Alain le Lait ‘songs and videos which are used frequently by staff and loved by the children. The seasonal resources provided by LFEE have allowed children to develop an insight into the culture of France and the children have developed knowledge of how Christmas, New Year, Shrove Tuesday and Easter are celebrated in France. Teaching Ideas Training - One of the teachers led a teaching ideas training session for all staff on 25th September. Many of the ideas from the LFEE course (fortune tellers, puppets, songs and games) were shared and staff participated actively. Staff were updated on some current usages of French language from the course. From observation of classrooms, it is clear that many of these ideas are now being used throughout the school. Languages Week and European Day of Languages We held a languages week in November 23rd – 27th where all classes produced a piece of simple written work to display in school. Throughout this week teachers focused on French language teaching and many of the ideas from the training in September were evident from observation and discussion throughout the week. During Languages Week every class learned ‘Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes‘in French to sing at assembly. Resources We have built up a range of modern language resources, many relating to activities from the course. We have also developed a range of games and activities for staff to use with their classes. Planning All staff are now planning for modern languages using the agreed format and this will be monitored by management in forward planning meetings. French Assistant We have a French assistant this session and have supported her and guided her in her teaching throughout the year. She has been provided with teaching ideas from the course and has been working on these with the classes. She has also been encouraged to share French culture and traditions with the children. French Experts We have appointed ‘French Experts’ in the school who are those with a good knowledge of the language who will help with vocabulary and pronunciation. This has ensured less confident staff have someone to go to for advice in these areas. Spanish The teachers who traveled to Spain have adapted their teaching ideas for French and shared them with other staff. They will play a greater part in the promotion of Spanish as our L3 language launches next session and will also support staff who wish to take on small scale L3 projects in Spanish this term.