Embedding - Cross-curricular links

Children learn best when they can make sense of their learning. Embedding language learning into school life brings benefits on many levels. It helps children to realise that there are many languages in the world (and in their school) and that speaking another language is normal, natural and valuable.

Experiencing language every day helps children to memorise new words and structures, giving children the confidence to respond to what they hear and to use the new language for real purposes. Integrating language learning into the school day makes best use of the time available and provides coherent links between different subjects of the curriculum.

Number tennis

Children practise the numbers 1-20 in German using 3 simple techniques:

1 Teacher and class say the numbers 1-20 together.

2 Teacher plays an action game of tennis with the class. Using a bat, she ‘hits’ a number to the class and they ‘hit’ the next number back to her. The numbers are in sequence.

3 Teacher taps out random numbers on the table. Children silently count the number of times she taps and then say how many taps they hear. Now the numbers are out of sequence.