THE CHILDREN ARE SO EXCITED AND PROUD OF THEMSELVES THAT THEY HAVE STARTED LEARNING SOMETHING NEW, WHICH NOT EVERYONE GETS A CHANCE TO DO. THEY TELL THEIR FRIENDS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL THAT THEY ARE LEARNING SPANISH AND TELL THEM WHAT WORDS THEY KNOW.
PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENT
In an effort to improve the uptake of modern foreign languages, many schools are forming meaningful partnerships designed to inspire a generation of linguists. These initiatives enable pupils to discover new cultures and experiences, meet new people and grow in confidence.
The club was inspired by the success of another collaborative programme called ABC to Read, which focuses on boosting the literacy skills of primary school pupils. It was felt that teaching younger children languages would also be good practice for the older pupils at Bradfield, and so began this mutually beneficial partnership.
Bradfield College runs a Spanish after-school club, led by pupils in Years 10 and 11, for two local state schools; Basildon CE Primary School and Theale CE Primary School. Our pupils plan all of the lessons, which include fun songs and games, and deliver them to partner schools once a week throughout the academic year. By having ownership over the classes, Bradfield pupils improve their communication and organisational skills, and are challenged to be creative as they try to encourage the younger pupils to embrace and learn a new language. The pupils running the club are split into two groups of four, and they take it in turns to deliver the lessons every half term.
Teachers from the primary schools have said they are very excited to be able to offer a languages club, which they have not been able to do for a few years, and the programme has also been welcomed by parents, too.
