Foreign Languages - Resources
Languagenut Free Tryout Everyday schools in the UK, and around the world, register for our full access free tryout. Around 70% of schools then go on to subscribe. Click this link to register.
Languagenut announce the launch of their first stories. More details.........
Some Feedback More Details.........
Tools for Schools French
Tools for Schools are CILT new resources for primary language teachers. They have been developed as easy-to-use interactive whiteboard materials compatible with Smartboard and Promethean. Developed and piloted in classrooms, they include graphics, stories, games and audio files following the Schemes of Work developed jointly by QCDA and CILT.
The first CD ROM containing French Units 1-6 for the whole Year 3 is now in stock and available to buy from the CILT website (www.cilt.org.uk/shop.aspx) or through our distributor Central Books (tel: 0845 458 99 10, fax: 0845 458 99 12). The French Units for Years 4, 5 & 6 are scheduled for release in September 2010, with the German and Spanish Units following at a later date. More information........
Learn a language through stories, songs and actions
GrowStoryGrow is a multi-lingual online library. You can learn Mandarin, Urdu, Arabic, Tamil, Portuguese, French, Spanish and English. There are 100 stories to choose from. Children can read about world culture, listen to a traditional tale, expand their general education or simply enjoy a good story, whilst improving their language learning skills. The stories are uniquely written as they 'grow' using High Frequency Words. More...
The Easter Story is now available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish and English (EAL). There are flashcards and scripts to download as well as a set of questions you can use to ask your children about the story.
Please note that there are many other stories now available: Jack and The Beanstalk, Four Friends, Sleeping Beauty and The Wind and The Sun.
Remember that GrowStoryGrow will be available for an annual licence of £40 to all those who register before May. You can teach the whole of the KS2 framework through the stories so I think you'll agree it's very good value.
Just logon or register at www.growstorygrow.com
Une Dizaine de Ten original songs to support the teaching of French to young children. The songs are simple and short and the song lyrics help to teach basic, everyday routine language. More details.......
Using ICT to enhance language learning
2Do It Yourself (2DIY) – Create your own interactive Flash resources, activities, games, puzzles and quizzes. With this software teachers and primary school children can create cross-curricular, personalised resources. From dressing teddy to platform games, save your creations and share them with everyone. You can use them on your whiteboard, upload them to your school website, email them around the world and even use them on your Learning Platform!
2Simple French – Learning French is simple with “2Simple French”. It contains over 200 varied and engaging activities to reinforce vocabulary. This program will quickly instill confidence in the non-specialist primary teacher and will support any scheme of work you follow. Children learn correct pronunciation by listening to the French speaking robots and watching how their lips move. There are also many creative screens where children create cards, cartoons, diaries or posters to apply the language they have learnt.
2Simple Online Tools – These tools put the creative element into Learning Platforms. With a mixture of classic and new tools such as 2Design and Make and a simple word processor, 2Simple Online helps online learning environments become more accessible for all primary users. Children will be able to access some of their favourite 2Simple tools anywhere!
More details........ www.2simple.com
Key Stage 2 Schemes of Work for Languages
Schools can now order Key Stage 2 schemes of work in French, German and Spanish (Units 13 - 24). Units 1 - 12 are already available in print. A free copy of all units for one, two or three languages can be ordered via the QCA.
Schools that received a free copy of Units 1 - 12 should order a free copy of Units 13 - 24 to complete their set and they may also order a free set in other languages. Secondary schools supporting primary schools in language teaching may order multiple copies but should provide justification if ordering more than ten copies. Units will be distributed in early summer 2009. A flyer with ordering details is sent to schools.
Fresh Water Theatre Company - Leap into Language
Leap into Language is a new range of accessible drama activities to support MFL teaching. We are offering inspiring and magical storytelling performances for large groups of KS2 children. Traditional tales are told in an energetic, interactive format in French, Spanish and German. We also have Lets Communicate, a unique communication workshop for Y2 to prepare them for MFL.
Freshwater Theatre Company is a theatre-in-education company based in East London.
French Language Passport Booklet
Gill Hennebry, lead teacher for Tunbridge Wells, has produced a personalised Languages Portfolio based on ideas from the European Languages portfolio as a personal record of pupil learning and a transition document. She is happy for anyone to use/adapt it if they wish.
Putting Languages at the Heart of the Primary Curriculum
Link and Learn produces creative teaching materials for primary languages which enable modern foreign languages to become an integrated part of the curriculum.
Gaston la Goutte - le voyage de la petite goutte de pluie
A beautifully illustrated big book and accompanying Resource CD which focuses on days of the week, weather and adjectives, and also enables French to be linked through the topic of water in a meaningful way to Science, Geography, Literacy, Music, Design Technology, Drama and Dance. Lesson plans linked to the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages are included for Years 3-6, along with all teaching materials, including powerpoints, presentations, flashcards, science experiment instructions, dance video, class assembly script and more! More....
Une année en France - an intercultural journey through the French calendar: KS1 and KS2 CDs
A bumper Resource CD which follows the festivals and seasons of the French year, providing cultural information and a range of activities for pupils for each month. Suggested teaching ideas and all materials included - flashcards, stories, powerpoints, presentations. Available for both KS1 and KS2. More...
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Help with Pronunciation for Non-specialist Language Teachers
If you would like to use more of the taught language in your classroom on a day-to-day basis but are unsure of the correct pronunciation for such things as classroom instructions and praise, use Babelzone to support you. Just click on files 12 & 13 to hear encouragements and classroom instructions pronounced by a native speaker and use the transcripts (the button to the right of the audio files) to read what they are saying.
Off the Shelf Courses for Key Stage 2
Tout le Monde published by Heinemann. An interactive, online, easy to use course favoured by non-specialist teachers of MFL. Available on free trial from the link.
LCP Primary French Resource Files published by LCP. In a familiar format with schemes of work, lesson plans, flash cards, flipbook and much more. Available as a free inspection copy from the link.
Rigolo published by Thomas Nelson. A flexible and easily adaptable French course for use by the specialist and non-specialist alike.
Sonica Spanish by RM. A comprehensive resource for KS2 Spanish including a dance-mat and other interacyive activities.
If you require further help with choosing appropriate resources for your KS2 pupils, please contact your local specialist language college or lead teacher as shown on The Structure Chart.
Resources for foreign language learners with severe learning difficulties
Special Educational Needs website
Article by David Wilson Harton Technology College, South Shields
Software for Language Learning
Little Tails of the Unexpected (KS1-2) A CD-ROM ideal for young learners of French. The CD comprises of four classic children’s fairy tales, each with an unusual twist at the end.
Language Martians is a CD-ROM A complete course for Key Stage 3. Each section of the CD focuses on a different curriculum topic and has been designed to be used as a stand-alone resource or, using a projector, with a whole class. A pack of complimentary materials provides for easy integration into the classroom and reinforcement of language.
If you are interested in either or would like to order a demo disc, please contact: Val Thornber
Tel: 0131 467 2180
Learning World magazine is now available. It is the British Council's magazine for UK teachers in primary, secondary and sixth form colleges. Its aim is to highlight opportunities to build an international dimension into learning and to showcase best practice. View the new version of Learning World
This issue focuses on school culture, with features and ideas on a wide range of activities and resources. To order a free copy of the magazine visit Learning World.