I was lucky enough to be at CILT on the 8th of February to get a first look at MYLO and be part of a productive feedback session. MYLO (MY Languages Online) is a brand new online learning tool designed to get young people engaging with languages in an innovative, creative and imaginative way. Initially aimed at Key Stage 3, it will be available in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin. Isabelle Jones has done an excellent job of summing up the project on her blog - so for a full update go there:
Just to note though that it was exciting to get a chance to have some input into MYLO at the development stage, and that I am looking forward to being a MYLO ambassador, and working with local MFL teachers to put it to good use. As Isabelle notes,
"Ambassadors are a point of contact for local MFL teachers, giving advice on the use of MYLO and reflecting on the experiences of others thus disseminating good practice."
MYLO's open-ended "challenges" look like great fun and, importantly, tackle the "why learn languages" question directly with aspirational tasks - designing a menu for a top Montréal chef, for example. I particularly like the integration of social networking functions into MYLO - students will be able to look at work by their classmates and by pupils from across other schools, giving an opportunity for collaborative work and peer assessment. You will also be able to keep your pupils' work private if you so wish. Excitingly, students will not only be able to write on the site, but some challenges will allow them to record their own voice onto it.
MYLO quite rightly encourages "learning to learn" - the videos we saw on language learning techniques looked great. I love anything that demystifies the language learning process for pupils!
Whilst MYLO is currently a work in progress, the openness of the project (for example, all materials will be downloadable) and its flexibility bode very well. There is a very thorough consultation and feedback process in place, so MYLO should meet teachers' needs very well. Watch this space, and have a look on the MYLO website for a sneak preview!
Hi there
Thanks for the mention!
I have decided to keep all MYLO-related links under the MYLO tag on my Diigo account. This should help to share the information.
http://www.diigo.com/user/isabellejones/MYLO?tab=250
Isabelle
Posted by: Isabelle Jones | 02/16/2010 at 05:52 PM
Hi Simon, I was just checking out the CILT website and spotted your name on the link for MYLO. Did you go to Durham uni? Trevs college? I think you were my academic parent! My name is Kate Lawley but I was called Borsbey then. I'm also a languages teacher, in Preston. If this is not you, apologies but looking at your blog and red haired character with a rugby ball I think I may be right??!!
P.s. sorry if I've put this in a funny place, I was having trouble finding my way around. I signed up for twitter but don't have a clue how to use it!
Posted by: Kate Lawley | 03/21/2010 at 12:52 PM
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