The Association for Language Learning (ALL) is the UK’s major subject association for teachers of modern foreign languages, at all levels, and in all sectors. ALL’s annual conference, Language World, held in March this year, is the key national event for language teachers, bringing them together to share ideas, offer mutual support and plan for the future of languages education.

Many of us know a special language teacher who inspires pupils through superb teaching and supports colleagues by sharing their expertise and ideas. They show initiative, stimulate an interest in languages within the classroom and deliver imaginative lessons. The Association for Language Learning has worked to establish the Language Teacher of the Year Awards, as a means of recognising and celebrating such talent. The Awards support and promote language teaching and raise the profile of the profession by recognising exciting, motivating practice amongst language teachers and celebrating imaginative teaching that inspires language learning. We are grateful to receive sponsorship from two of ALL’s Corporate Members: - Linguascope - sponsors of the Primary Language Teacher of the Year Award and Halsbury Travel - sponsors of the Promising Newcomer: Secondary Language Teaching 2018.

The presentation of the awards took place at the Language World 2018 Conference, at Jurys Inn, Hinckley Island, Leicestershire on Saturday 24 March 2018.

Primary Language Teacher of the Year is Juliet Lawson, a primary teacher at Bromet Primary School in Watford

Promising Newcomer: Secondary Language Teaching 2018 is Virginia Alfaro, a Spanish teacher at Queen Katherine Academy in Peterborough.

Virginia was nominated by Jane Driver, Head of Department who said: "Virginia is in her 2nd year teaching, working in challenging circumstances. She has risen to every challenge and more, working hard daily with excellent humour to motivate and instil a passion for language learning in every student in the Academy – for which they adore, respect and admire her – a mean feat to achieve." Virginia has organised and judged in Spelling Bee and Translation Bee events, run Language Leaders, set up a languages YouTube channel for students to make songs and poems in Spanish and she has run exchange activities with Spanish and German partner schools.

The Association for Language Learning would like to congratulate both our winners and thank all of the teachers and judges who took part.