ICT

ICT supports and integrates the Oracy and Literacy strands of the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages. It enhances interactive teaching and learning styles and provides many opportunities to develop children’s creativity. It has the potential to stimulate curiosity about how languages work, raise the level of cognitive challenge, and extend children’s ability to be independent in their use of the new language.

The opportunity for children to develop an interest in other cultures through comparison with their own is an integral part of Primary Languages entitlement. ICT can provide a real environment in which children can be exposed to and have contact with other cultures where the new language is spoken and through which they can access and research information from across the globe.

Video conferencing

Videoconferencing enables children to experience life beyond their immediate environment. Communicating with schools abroad is a powerful motivational tool in the language classroom; it gives a real purpose to learning a language and a real chance for first-hand experience of a new culture. Having a friendly audience, which is both expert and learner at the same time, is a fantastic opportunity for developing children’s speaking and listening skills, both in the new language and in English. Working with other schools in this way encourages collaboration (both locally and worldwide) and has the potential to bring native speaker expertise into the classroom where visits would not be practical.