Having recently been appointed as Head of Modern Foreign Languages at St. Monica's R.C. High School, I was eager to expand the range of languages that were offered on the curriculum. Having been successful in previous applications for funding under the Comenius scheme, I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to acquire a third modern foreign language, Italian following an Italian Language, Culture and Methodology Course at Centro Fiorenza in Florence, Italy. Having started as an absolute beginner, I have worked hard to maintain, develop and practice language that I learnt during my time at Centro Fiorenza and have funded several trips myself, to the same institution, in order to establish a strong sense of continuity in my learning. The opportunity to return to Centro Fiorenza, motivates me enormously and in this way, I have been able to rapidly improve my language ability, due to the preparatory work that I complete throughout the year and the intensity of the programme and experience that I immerse myself in. I am now proud to say that I teach French, Spanish and Italian to GCSE level. In a school where modern foreign languages is a core subject, I am delighted that I am able to offer pupils the opportunity to study all three languages. With a significant community of pupils of Italian origin, the language has proved very popular. I am constantly seeking to expand my Italian vocabulary, communicate more fluently and have an understanding of increasingly complex grammar. It is for this reason that I aim to return to Centro Fiorenza, as I am confident that my learning is hugely accelerated in these conditions. The experience alters my teaching. As well as studying various areas of teaching methodology, I find that my experience as the learner is absolutely invaluable. I frequently refer to my recent/current language learning experiences to demonstrate to my pupils that I am in tune with the frustrations, challenges and successes that they feel during their foreign language journey. I think that I am a positive role model and a live example to the pupils in my charge, that the desire to learn more, accomplish more and experience more, adds to the diversity of life and should be a life long objective. As the only teacher of Italian in the school, my project proposal is for myself, but the impact of my training will expand beyond myself, to the pupils I teach, the members of my department, the staff at my school, the colleagues I network with from other schools in the Local Education Authority and the regional staff with whom I am connected during the facilitation programmes that I deliver. I would develop my teaching and learning skills even more by participating in a 2 week x 5 day course: "Italian Language, Culture and Methodology Course" in August 2014. The couse outline includes; Methodology and pedagogy of teaching languages: different teaching-approaches for L2 acquisition, input to the learner/ output and production, linguistic behaviours, various social and external variables that influence learners, student-teacher-interactions, accelerated learning (learning-styles, mental training, learning barriers, high-energy vs. low-energy-activities, creation of a positive learning environment, flow – achieving high concentration) In terms of Italian language ; Introduction of new grammar-structures and communicative activities, phonetics, lecture/ written exercises/ language,drama and improvisation and extended writing. Developmental ideas from my training would be developed and implemented in September 2014. As Head of Department I am responsible for designing and delivering departmental training. I have a reputation of consistently seeking improvement and enhancing strategies, practice and protocols that are in place. In the final year of the GCSE course my pupils would benefit from my enhanced command of the Italian language and I would be able to collate relevant material for them to use in class, as a result of my training project. With enough interest, as a result of the impact envisaged, I would very much like to propose a study visit to Florence organised and supported by Erasmus+. In this way, my own training would serve as a springboard for my learners to also experience a similar project and profit from the diversity of skills it provides. This would be a project that I would like to plan involving 2 year groups; Leavers 2014 and 2015. Regarding long term benefits developed by such language projects, I would intend to develop pupils skills for life through their interaction with Italian partners, another school and the wider community, as global citizens, along with an ongoing understanding on the issues of respect, diversity and tolerance. I am an enormously committed teacher, learner and leader and I am truly passionate about this project. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be able to be able to aspire to my teaching, learning and leading goals.