New language ambassadors announced at ASFA

Four Year 11 students from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi (ASFA) have been selected to become language ambassadors this new academic year. 

The students will offer pupils in Years 7 and 8, whose first language isn’t English, any additional support they may need when it comes to speaking, reading and writing in English. 

The initiative first started in 2019 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.  

Over 40 different languages are spoken in the academy. 

Staff work tirelessly to ensure everyone’s native tongue is represented in the school community. 

This year’s language ambassadors include: 

– Jakub who speaks Polish  

– Nicole who speaks Portuguese  

– David who speaks Italian  

– Mohamed, who is originally from Ethiopia, and speaks Afar, Swedish and also understands Amharic 

The language ambassadors will work closely with students to overcome language barriers by hosting fortnightly reading clubs, translating school work and also attending events that their fellow peers may require assistance with. 

This is with the academy’s language acquisition coordinator, Amanda Gamble’s, help. 

Amanda Gamble said: “We are very fortunate to have another group of confident and proactive language ambassadors this year.  

“It is important that EAL (English as an additional language) students have other students they can go to for support in school. 

“This programme is just one of many ways we create an inclusive community for students.” 

Headteacher, Jo Leech, who joined The Academy of St Francis of Assisi at the start of September, is proud to see an initiative such as this in a school.  

She said: “The language ambassadors are a key part of school life here at the academy and the support they offer to both staff and students is remarkable. 

“I look forward to working with them over the next year.”