About

Cambridge Bilingual Groups is the umbrella organisation for a network of local community groups and schools that teach bilingual children their heritage languages and cultures. The basis on which this network operates is the exchange of information.

Mission Statement

Cambridge Bilingual Groups exists to support community heritage language groups in and around Cambridge.

  • We consider any school or group a ‘community heritage language group’ that primarily exists to teach (a living) language and culture to bilingual children.
  • Community heritage language groups can be unincorporated, a charity, CIO, CIC or a private company

Cambridge Bilingual Groups …

Photo by Brian Gordillo on Unsplash
  • knows that heritage language groups and schools require extra support with management and governance
  • strongly emphasise the equal value of every and any language and culture. Anyone who wants to start a group in their own language can get support from us
  • believe that bilingual children need particular teaching approaches to learn their home language. Experience shows that neither first nor foreign language teaching approaches are appropriate
  • recognise the specific challenges that teachers and parents face in passing their language on. Children develop identities different from their parents and teachers, and abilities in classes are extremely wide-spread

The support we offer:

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
  • Training sessions for teachers, for example on lesson planning, assessment, teaching techniques, special educational needs, differentiation, behaviour management, … 
  • Training sessions for leaders and teachers on curriculum development, insurance, safeguarding, finances, …
  • Networking opportunities for managers, headteachers and teachers
  • 1:1 support for new and established groups
  • Relevant news through a facebook page
  • Dedicated WhatsApp groups for headteachers and safeguarding leads
  • Liaising with other organisations and initiatives and lobbying