Sunday 13 July 2014

Biggest MFL Department in the world - Twitter!

I have finally decided to start blogging, not because I have anything particularly groundbreaking (or even particularly interesting) to say, but as a way of sharing resources and as somewhere to keep track of all of the interesting things I come across. 

I avoided Twitter for a long time, but now...

I'm a convert! I use it almost exclusively for CPD purposes - have done for quite a while now. During this academic year, I have found it an invaluable way of networking, supporting and sharing with other MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) teachers. I am selective about who to follow as I really only want to use Twitter for professional purposes and had no intention of having a second Facebook! (Where I already hear enough about other people's cats and how many eggs they had for breakfast!) 

The teachers that I've come across via twitter (who sometimes mention personal info too - which is absolutely fine by me) love to share. They selflessly provide links for resources and offer help at the slightest hint of a question. 
The drawbacks... 

The only issue I have personally had with Twitter so far is information overload. Initially, I was coming across so many new ideas, apps and links that I could barely keep up! I think I am getting much better at filtering now. I'm hoping this blog will end up saving me time rather than creating more for me to do!
There are, however, problems that I've heard about such as people getting upset when others use their resources without acknowledging. On this issue I will cite one of my favourite mantras, "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." (Harry S Truman.) I live by this, I think that many teachers do. The other point I'd add is that most ideas are recycled anyway, very few are brand new. By sharing and working together we can achieve so much more... The other negative is that, like any social media, people can be quite critical. There's an etiquette that ought to be followed which for me is like in 'real' life... "Do unto others..."
Advice for newbies...

I would advise any MFL teachers new to Twitter to seek out #mfltwitterati and then just keep following anyone and everyone associated with languages. I started like this and then cut down as I got more used to what I was doing and found out who was of interest to me.

When searching for something in particular either search using a hashtag (#) or tweet mentioning #mfltwitterati or a particular person. (Prominent tweeters/twitterers in languages for me are @joedale @JoTidmarsh @HelenMyers @morganmfl @dominic_mcg @janbaker97 @MsVCooke @Langwitch @SylvieBRawlings @dawson_serena @Langnut @amandasalt @missmclachlan - I immediately regretted starting this list because actually I could go on and on!)
So that's it, first blog done!

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