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languages at an early age

multi-lingual kids

The power of multilingual learning

By Education, languages at an early age, reading
by Helen Abbott
Subject Leader for Languages at Banstead Prep School

Why learning two or more foreign languages at primary level boosts success

If my younger self were to have given my rather more mature self a piece of advice, it would probably have been to avoid teaching French and Spanish alongside one another. They look and sound too similar and young children are, arguably, still trying to get to grips with their own language.

However, experience has taught me otherwise. Primary school children are incredibly flexible: their minds are not entrenched in notions about how language should behave and their ability to mimic sounds is at its peak. Telling them that the French word for yes, oui is spelled, well, like that, does not phase them, just as showing them that oie sounds more like a crying baby than a slightly rude interjection, does not confound them; they accept more readily that some things are just done differently. Besides, shouting “Oie! Oie!” (or “wa wa” as it actually sounds) is fun at the age of eight but excruciatingly embarrassing at the age of 15!

Make each language distinct
The key to success is to make each language as different as possible. Visual and physical separation, such as having coloured folders for Spanish and exercise books for French, distinct sides of the classroom to display each language, opposing colours to represent each, different seating plans for each lesson, and varying teaching styles all work well. Additionally, because French remains the main language at our school, the children can expect to do more writing in these lessons, while Spanish is packed to the rafters with games and oral activities. This approach ensures that both languages have unique identities in the students’ minds.

Making connections between languages
On the other hand, while I don’t teach grammar explicitly in Spanish, it is easy to allude to it by comparing it to French. Students who grasp grammatical concepts like gendered nouns and adjective agreement in one language can quickly transfer that knowledge to another. You start to witness inspirational bulbs lighting up every lesson as the children see how much Spanish, French and English are connected.

Recognising familiar words also accelerates learning. The word for bread in Spanish, “pan”, is a piece of cake to pronounce (every pun intended!) French, on the other hand, has “pain” – which looks like it should be more about sore feet than a sandwich – until you realise it’s actually pronounced similarly to the Spanish “pan”. Once children make that connection, they have mastered two words in two different languages – no pain involved!

The overwhelming message is that learning two modern languages does not completely bewilder them but instead opens up extra learning possibilities and deeper understanding.

A fresh start and renewed enthusiasm
The main advantage of introducing a new language is that it injects new energy into the learning of all languages. The excitement of a new subject is palpable, and the fact that they are learning how to use the language orally, rather than worrying about being assessed at every corner, makes the experience more enjoyable for them and they relax into their learning.

Breaking the myth of confusion
Do children confuse the two languages? Sometimes. But it’s more a case of them not being sure which language we’re studying when they want to look something up than combining the two languages – “Are we in French or Spanish?” is frequently asked halfway through a lesson. Interestingly, however, they seem to categorise instinctively all the words they learn together, so that, even though they may not be sure which language all those animal words they’ve just learnt belong to, they know they are the same language, and they don’t cross over into the other. They are far less confused by the acquisition of two languages than my GCSE students were, because they are learning them at a slower pace and within clear topics. I’m certain that by the time they get to secondary school, they will know which one is which!

The long-term benefits
When children begin school, they are still mastering their native language. It may seem ambitious to expect them to leave Year 6 with a solid foundation in French, Spanish and even some Latin (with a touch of Ancient Greek). Yet, over the past three years, I have seen students at Banstead Prep achieve exactly that.

Languages are more than just words; they’re windows into different cultures. Teaching two foreign languages at primary level doesn’t confuse students – it broadens their horizons, strengthens cognitive skills and fosters a lifelong love of languages. And seeing young learners make connections and embrace new languages? Totally worth the challenge!

Helen Abbott is the Subject Leader for Languages at Banstead Prep School, a coeducational nursery, pre-school and prep school for children aged 2 – 11. For more information please visit www.bansteadprep.com

The importance of storytelling

By Early Years, Education, environment, Language, languages at an early age
by Jack Esplen, Assistant Principal Juniors
Shoreham College

In a world that has already made the leap from the page to the screen, what is the value of storytelling, and will it really help our children to thrive?

So, you’ve been told this before: early reading is crucial. It has a profound impact on children’s development and their success in later life. You’ve seen evidence too – statistics about how many books, or even words, children should have read before they even start nursery. Have one more fact for your parenting arsenal: it is estimated that a child who is read to daily will have heard 296,660 words by the time they are five years old, compared to just 63,570 words if they are read to once or twice a week.

So yes, reading to your child is important. Storytelling might be even more important – and it helps to understand why.

Children need opportunities to hear stories; they are imperative to help them engage with the world around them and to develop cognitive, social and emotional skills. They give children plots, characters, settings and the chance to fully immerse themselves in worlds and adventures that expand the known experiences at a young age. The pages they have read to them give them an endless library of worlds and characters, prompting a curiosity and the chance to ask thousands of questions as they begin to understand the world around them.

Storytelling lays the foundation for personal, social and emotional development. How many of us think of Disney’s ‘Bambi’ as our first experience of grief, or learnt about the value of true friendship through the lens of Pooh Bear and Piglet? Experiencing the highs and lows of a beloved character’s story, the decisions they make and the pain they endure, enable children to begin to understand what real emotion feels like in a safer, ‘fly-on-wall’ way. Through storytelling and the conversations it sparks, we can teach our children how to communicate, interact and empathise.

Don’t underestimate the impact that quality stories can have on our young people’s ability to problem solve and build resilience. When children follow a character’s journey through challenges and obstacles, they learn that struggles are a natural part of life. The way these characters overcome adversity offers children a road map for how they might face difficulties in their own lives. Whether it’s a hero navigating through conflict, or a character learning from their mistakes, stories allow children to witness failure and triumph, and most importantly, the process in between. This helps them develop a growth mindset, teaching them to see setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up. It is through the act of storytelling that children are able to build both their inner strength and their ability to persevere.

So, in a world dominated by technology and screens, it’s crucial we continue to make space for these timeless traditions that foster emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, and empathy – essential skills for thriving in today’s complex world.

Please call 01273 592681 to find out more about what Shoreham College can offer you, or to arrange a personal visit at any time of the school year.
www.shorehamcollege.co.uk