TTLH Team

Tracy Williams

Hub Lead Arthur Terry

Languages:  French, Spanish (and a little bit of Latin!)

Current Role:  Trent and Tame Language Hub Lead, ATLP Trust Lead for Languages, Arthur Terry SCITT Languages Lead.

Experience:

Since completing her PGCE in 2005, Tracy has taught French, Spanish and Latin in two secondary schools. She has been a French subject lead and a Core Leader for Languages.  She is currently the MFL Subject, Pedagogy and Assessment Lead for the Arthur Terry SCITT and the ATLP’s trust lead for Languages.  As Trust lead, Tracy supports the ATLP’s 6 secondary Language heads of department to implement their innovative and comprehensive curriculum plans in in KS3, KS4 and KS5.  Over the last five years, she has also been responsible for the design and resourcing of a KS2 ATLP French Curriculum which has included extensive CPD for non-specialist teachers. Much of her work as Trust Lead focuses on developing understanding of and implementing elements of the 2016 MFL pedagogy review. The impact of this work can be seen in healthy take-up of languages at GCSE level and beyond alongside the steadily improving outcomes at GCSE across secondary schools in the trust.

As Hub Lead for the Trent and Tame Language Hub, Tracy is excited to bring language teachers and leaders across the region together to create a strong and sustainable network of passionate linguists who share best practice and find innovative solutions to the challenges we encounter on a daily basis!

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Explicit teaching of phonics,
• Cognitive Science,
• Developing Intrinsic Motivation for language learning
• Finding ways to get young people actually SPEAKING different languages.

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

When I was in primary school, my parents used to have ‘secret’ conversations at home in French every time they wanted to say something but didn’t want my siblings and I to understand.  I was determined to be part of these conversations and decided to try really hard in French lessons.  I was delighted when aged about 14, I was able to join in the conversations!  By that point, I was hooked!

Clare Oberman

Hub Lead  Painsley Catholic College

Languages:  French, Spanish, German and Latin

Current Role:  Trent and Tame Language Hub Lead, The Golden Thread Teaching School Hub director, North Mids Maths Hub Senior Leadership Link, Behaviour Hub Strategic Lead and the Manager of The Bell Foundation Centre of Expertise for the West Midlands

Experience:

Clare has taught French, German and Spanish for nearly 30 years. She has worked in a range of schools in both rural and urban settings and in areas of high disadvantage.  She has led large MFL departments and has previously been responsible for establishing a Language College in a school setting under SSAT.  As a lead of four Hubs, Clare is passionate about professional development of all staff to improve outcomes and life chances for children and to support the recruitment and retention of practitioners in all school settings.

As Hub Lead for the Trent and Tame Language Hub, Clare is committed to increasing the uptake of modern foreign languages and developing high quality local and regional language networks to support practitioners within the Hub reach.  As a collective of schools within the Hub, Clare is eager to collaborate with others using evidence-informed practice to support language learning and strong outcomes for students.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Metacognition and self-regulated learning
• Oracy and language acquisition
• Explicit teaching of phonics,
• Disciplinary literacy

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

My family has always advocated the importance of learning about and from others.  My very first language teacher when I was 8 was wonderful.  She was patient, kind and pushed me to be my very best.   I was very lucky to have inspirational language teachers throughout my own schooling and many opportunities to travel abroad.  I always wanted to learn more and experience new cultures.

Chris Parry

Specialist Teacher – Painsley Catholic College

Languages:  French, German

Current Role:  NCLE Specialist Teacher in the Trent and Tame Language Hub, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Painsley Catholic College

Experience:

Since completing a BA (hons) in French and Management at The University of Leeds, and a PGCE at Keele University, Chris has taught French and German and been Head of Languages in two secondary schools.  Chris is currently Head of MFL at Painsley Catholic College, leading a team of five teachers to deliver French, German and Spanish to GCSE.  Chris is excited to join the Trent and Tame Languages Hub in 2024, and is keen to share his love of languages and language pedagogy with colleagues in other schools.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Developing motivation and self-belief amongst language learners.
• Making languages accessible to all.
• Cognitive science.
• Broadening horizons and developing global awareness.

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

Since being brought up bilingually in English and French, I have always had an inherent love for languages.  This developed further when I was at school and I had a teacher who inspired me to learn German.  I have always enjoyed travelling, and my love for languages and other cultures grew further when I spent six months travelling the world following my degree.  Entering the teaching profession gave me the opportunity to inspire learners to develop their cultural awareness and their love for language learning.

 

Languages:  French, German

Experience:

Since completing a BA (hons) in French and Management at The University of Leeds, and a PGCE at Keele University, Chris has taught French and German and been Head of Languages in two secondary schools.  Chris is currently Head of MFL at Painsley Catholic College, leading a team of five teachers to deliver French, German and Spanish to GCSE.  Chris is excited to join the Trent and Tame Languages Hub in 2024, and is keen to share his love of languages and language pedagogy with colleagues in other schools.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Developing motivation and self-belief amongst language learners.
• Making languages accessible to all.
• Cognitive science.
• Broadening horizons and developing global awareness.

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

Since being brought up bilingually in English and French, I have always had an inherent love for languages.  This developed further when I was at school and I had a teacher who inspired me to learn German.  I have always enjoyed travelling, and my love for languages and other cultures grew further when I spent six months travelling the world following my degree.  Entering the teaching profession gave me the opportunity to inspire learners to develop their cultural awareness and their love for language learning.

 

Shelley Walklate

Specialist Teacher – Painsley Catholic College

Languages:  French, Spanish, Italian

Current Role:  NCLE Specialist Teacher in the Trent and Tame Language Hub, Head of MFL at Painsley Catholic College, Cheadle

Experience:

After completing a BA (hons) French & Italian at The University of Birmingham, and some time spent working as an ESOL teacher in the north of Italy, Shelley began her teaching career in the UK. Having now taught in a number of different secondary schools, in a variety of settings, Shelley is presently Head of Department at Painsley Catholic College leading a team that is passionate about inspiring students with a lifelong love of MFL. Shelley is excited to be working as a specialist teacher for the Trent and Tame Language Hub, keen to share her own passion and motivation with other teachers who strive to make MFL accessible, useful and enjoyable for every student.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Cognitive science
• Self-belief in language learners
• Phonics

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

It all started with a teacher….! My GCSE Italian teacher made the language easy and made me believe that I could speak Italian! I’ve always loved English, and reading, and was fascinated by the links I began to see between English, French and Italian. I genuinely felt like a new world was opening up to me as I became increasingly more proficient in other languages, and I’ve been passionate about sharing that excitement ever since!

Elizabeth Franklin

Affiliate School Advocate – Birmingham

Languages:  French, Spanish

Current Role:  Head of Languages at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, Affiliate School Advocate for the TTLH

Experience:

Since completing her degree in French and History at the University of Warwick, Libby has taught French, Spanish and a little bit of German across three secondary schools. She was previously Second in Languages at The Arthur Terry School before moving on to Head of Languages at Sutton Girls.  At Sutton Girls, Libby has worked alongside the team to implement significant and impactful changes to the curriculum at KS3, and to develop the provision of the new GCSE. She is now the Affiliate School Advocate for the Trent and Tame Languages Hub.  In this role, Libby works with affiliate schools in the hub to identify and share best practice, and she supports Tracy Williams in the delivery of CPD at the TTLH events. Libby is enthusiastic about networking with MFL colleagues across the region and working collaboratively to support each other and our learners.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Lessons learned from cognitive science about MFL teaching
• Improving uptake at KS4 and 5
• Developing engagement and motivation through super curricular activities

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

As a child, we spent our family holidays in France. I have many fond memories of summers spent in Eurocamp sites across the country, with my parents and siblings. On these holidays, I was constantly frustrated by my inability to communicate with the French children that I encountered. My efforts to communicate by speaking English in a French accent were not successful. After learning French in secondary school, inspired by my fantastic teachers, I was delighted when I could finally begin to speak and use the language ‘in real life’. This fuelled a love of learning languages and deepened my understanding and appreciation of French culture. My motivation for teaching is to share this passion with my students.

Marie-Claire D’arcy Barron

Affiliate School Advocate – Stoke and Staffordshire

Languages:  French, German, Spanish

Current Role:  Affiliate Schools Advocate in the Trent and Tame Language Hub, Assistant Principal & Head of MFL at Blessed William Howard School, Stafford

Experience:

After completing a BA (hons) French & German & Linguistics at The University of Salford, and some time spent working in Dusseldorf, Germany, Marie-Claire began her working life in IT using her languages. After 5 years she felt a need to make a difference and work in education, following in the footsteps of her parents. She began her teaching career in 2004 and has since taught in a number of different secondary schools, in a variety of settings. Marie-Claire is passionate about the vocation she has chosen. She is now leading a team of equally passionate linguists inspiring the next generation of language learners. Marie-Claire is excited to be an affiliate advocate for the Language hub to help share good practice and spread the word about the wonderful work going on in the MFL classroom.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Students with community home languages
• Bridging the gap between KS4 and KS5
• Linguistics and patterns in the language

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

I was raised bilingually, my mother-tongue being French, and my grand-parents were Spanish, so I guess I was really lucky. At school I studied German and my German teacher added a quirkiness to her lessons which I’m sure has rubbed off on me, as I love to add a song into a lesson where possible. I am fascinated by how our mind can process different languages at once, it really is a superpower. My favourite moments are speaking spontaneously with the students around school and teaching them idiomatic expressions and funny phrases.

Traciean Richards

TTLH German Advocate

Languages:  French, German

Current Role:  Head of French at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, German Advocate for the TTLH

Experience:

Since completing her degree in European Languages and Business at the University of Leeds, Traciean has taught French and German at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls. At Handsworth, Traciean has worked with the department to design and implement significant changes to the KS3 provision with a primary focus on communicative function and fluency. She is leading the department through the changes in the KS4 curriculum in line with the new GCSE in 2026.  She is the Foundation Leader in Education for Languages at the King Edward VI Foundation Trust and works alongside the 13 other schools in that Trust to enhance teaching and learning in languages. Traciean is also the German Advocate for the Trent and Tame Languages Hub.  In this role, Traciean works with affiliate schools in the hub to identify and share best practice and promote the love of learning German. Traciean is enthusiastic about networking with MFL colleagues across the region and working collaboratively to support each other and our learners.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Developing fluency in KS3
• The importance of motivation as a driver for outcomes
• Designing a culturally rich curriculum to inspire language learning

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

My initial motivation to learn a language stemmed from my inspiring teachers at my Secondary School, and, whilst at school, I was fortunate enough to go on a residential school trip to Lyon. Visiting Lyon sparked my curiosity and made me realise how enriching language learning can be, motivating me to explore more. Studying Impressionism as part of my French A Level deepened my appreciation for French culture, revealing a world beyond Birmingham!

During my degree course, I spent a year in Nuremburg. This was a transformative experience for me that further ignited my passion for language learning. Immersed in a new environment, I realised how essential language is for building connections and understanding culture. Engaging with colleagues and locals, I felt a strong desire to communicate more effectively and I wanted to connect with that broader experience and explore diverse perspectives through language.

Isobel Eddy

TTLH German Advocate

Languages:  German, French, Spanish

Current Role:  Head of Languages The Dean Academy, TTLH German Advocate

Experience:

Isobel completed Teach First after obtaining her degree in Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University. Since then, Isobel has taught a mixture of German, French and Spanish across different schools in England and Wales. Isobel is now Head of MFL at a secondary school, which is part of The Isbourne Language Hub (TILH), in The Forest of Dean. Isobel has a passion for ensuring that all young people get the opportunity to experience the world through their language study and fully believes that Modern Foreign Languages do Make Future Leaders as they equip learners with the skills and knowledge to thrive across international settings. Isobel is a German Advocate for the Trent and Tame Language Hub and is really excited to work collaboratively with everybody involved within the TTLH

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Developing engagement and motivation in MFL
• Exploring different homework opportunities within MFL
• Exploring opportunities for students to work collaboratively on national and international projects so that learners develop the skills and knowledge to be international leaders

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

I have always loved exploring other cultures, countries and identities. From my very first French lesson in Year 7, I found the ability to discover so much about yourself and others through language fascinating. Since then, I have always had a passion for learning other languages and I truly do believe that knowing different languages is such a privilege for every language gives you a different perspective through which to view life and experience the world. It is my passion to try to provide every young person with opportunities to experience just how enriching languages are and to explore the world through their language learning.

Farhat Nazir Mushtaq

Home, Heritage and Community Languages Advocate

Languages:  French, Urdu

Current Role:  Teacher of Urdu at Eden Boys School.

Experience:

As an Urdu and French teacher with a robust academic background and a passion for language education, Farhat is excited to take on the role of Home and Heritage Community Language Advocate. Farhat’s education journey began with an undergraduate degree in French at Aston University, where she developed a strong foundation in the language and its cultural nuances. This academic experience ignited her passion for teaching and inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in education at the University of Birmingham, focusing on effective pedagogical strategies that cater to diverse learning needs.  Farhat has been employed by Star Academies since obtaining her PGCE in 2010 initially as a teacher of French and more recently as a teacher of Urdu.  She also served as Head of Department for 8 years.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of teaching both Urdu and French, allowing me to connect with students from various backgrounds. My relationship with learners is outstanding and I am an innovative thinker who creates and engages learners in my subject. My experience in the classroom has highlighted the importance of cultural heritage in language learning. I believe that language is not just a means of communication but also a vessel for cultural identity and community connection. This belief aligns perfectly with the mission of the Home and Heritage Community Language Advocate role, where I can contribute to the preservation and promotion of community languages.

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

My passion for learning, discovering other cultures, and traveling has always been a driving force behind my desire to learn new languages. When I was six years old, my parents moved from Pakistan to France. As the eldest child, I was tasked with quickly mastering the French language, as my family relied on me to translate all communications with locals. I was so passionate about French that, after school, I would teach my brothers the language to help reinforce and retain new vocabulary.

At the age of 11, I developed an interest in learning Urdu to connect more deeply with my cultural roots. I was fortunate to have an aunt who could read and write Urdu, and I began learning from her after school. My understanding of Urdu grew further as I started reading short stories from the Pakistani newspaper Jung, which was delivered weekly to my uncle’s house. I vividly remember eagerly waiting for my uncle to finish reading the paper so I could read it myself. Later, my love for Bollywood and Pakistani dramas helped me become fluent in both Urdu and Hindi. Watching these dramas not only improved my vocabulary but also played a significant role in refining my pronunciation and comprehension, as I could mimic the dialogue and understand the nuances of the language more naturally.

In secondary school, my inspiring language teachers encouraged me to learn English and Spanish, which led to excellent GCSE results. We moved to the UK in 1996, and since I already had a foundation in English, I was able to become fluent in English in a short period of time.

Being fluent in multiple languages has greatly enriched my travel experiences, allowing me to engage more authentically with local cultures. I believe that every language opens a door to a new way of life, deepening my appreciation for the world around me.

 

 

Tuğçe Çankaya Simpson

Home, Heritage and Community Languages Advocate

Languages:  Turkish, English

Current Role:  Lecturer in ESOL, Stoke-on-Trent College, The Bell Foundation Licensed Practitioner

Experience:

Holding a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature, MA in ELT/TESOL and PhD in English Literature, Tuğçe is a Cambridge DELTA-qualified language teacher and a Cambridge certified teacher trainer. Having taught over 25 nationalities since 2006, Tuğçe has been in the language teaching sector in different contexts such as secondary, HE and FE, and in various capacities, as a teacher, teacher trainer, assessment specialist, coordinator and Department Head.

Teaching ESOL learners at Stoke-on-Trent College, Tuğçe has taught English as a foreign language to different levels ranging from teaching pre-entry EAL students to Entry 1 ESOL learners, from undergraduate level to postgraduate learners in various universities both in Turkey and England.   Her journey into teacher training started in 2009 and Tuğçe now also works as a TESOL Turkey trainer and a Bell Foundation licensed trainer.  As an assessment specialist and assessment reviewer working with high stake awarding bodies in the UK, she is also a researcher in language and literature and a published author of five books and several articles.

Having learnt English as a foreign language in her teens, Tuğçe is passionate about languages, and is happy to support language teachers to increase Modern Foreign Languages uptake in GCSEs and beyond, as well as networking with teachers in the region.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Second Language Acquisition
• Cognitive Theories and Brain-based Language Learning and Teaching
• Using literature to enhance language learning and teaching.
• Developing oracy and literacy skills in all ages (including very young learners to adults)

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

I grew up with published short stories in newspaper columns written by my grandmother, who was known to speak seven languages and, who I could never meet. She became my role model, along with my grand-uncle, who was a prolific and well-known poet in Turkey.  Over time, I became fascinated by literature and I grew a special interest for British literature.  Being able to read the authentic works in their original language became my main motivation to learn English. I started to study English at the age of 12, and I remember my family’s efforts to keep up (financially!) with my love of books written in English, which were not easily accessible in those times.  I was lucky to be accepted to the faculty in which there were 33 language-literature departments, and this gave me the chance to take some courses in German and Russian.