Supporting Language Learning by Cath Bruzzone
Author and publisher, Catherine Bruzzone has more than 30 years’ experience teaching languages to children and developing innovative language learning programmes. Here, she shares her passion for language learning, with tips on how to engage young children in new languages.
Supporting Language Learning
Yesterday I was with a friend whose little granddaughter understands Welsh, her father’s language, but only speaks in English, her mother’s mother tongue. My grandchildren were on holiday in Spain and France this summer, playing with children on the beach and maybe learning a few words of Spanish and French. And last week, I read about a man who had learnt 50 different foreign languages fluently.
There are so many reasons for learning a foreign language – to communicate every day with family, to exchange a few words on holiday, or to stretch your brain power…to its limits! In fact most people in the world speak or understand more than one language. And you may already speak another language in your family. Did you know that over 300 languages are spoken in London schools?
So whatever the motives for learning, here are 10 tips on supporting a young language learner:
1. Learn with your child. If you don’t feel too confident in the language, this is the ideal time to learn together. And if you’re fluent, you can still have fun playing games together or trying out the same activities.
2. Try to use the language regularly, not in one big splurge. Choose a time when everyone is relaxed and it’s not a big deal or a chore. Keep it short and sweet.
3. Make it fun. Use games and role play. If your child has a snack after school, you could label the food and drink and see if they can ask you for them in the foreign language: please can I have…a slice of apple, some milk, some raisins etc? Suggest some responses: yes, here you are; thanks; this is good. For easy phrases to practice, have a look at b small’s 50 Phrases books – there are ideas on the website for how to have a French or Spanish day, as well!
4. Concentrate on a few key words and phrases. See if you can find lots of different ways to practise them. So, for example, if you want to learn greetings, look for greetings songs, invent greetings role plays, find stories that use greetings.
5. Don’t be afraid of repetition. New words and phrases rarely stick straight away and you’ll need to hear and repeat them over and over. Try different games or activities with the same content and don’t rush on to the next stage. You can have a go at practising with flash cards, like these ones, in English, French and Spanish.
6. Correct mistakes sensitively. There’s nothing more depressing than always being corrected and successful language learners are often the ones prepared to plough on regardless of mistakes.
7. Link the language to real life speakers. Do you have friends who speak the language? Can they join in your games? Start a scrapbook about the countries where the language is spoken. Remember, French is not just spoken in France but in several other European countries and many countries in Africa and around the world.
8. Get together with other learners. Can you start an informal club? Coffee, cake and a few language games. Agree a rough curriculum – what you want to learn – and then take it in turns to prepare the ‘lesson’. Maybe follow the same pattern each time, a song or physical activity first, then a word game, then a story. If you want to join a group of keen language teachers and learners online, join our community on the b small languages hub! We have a dedicated Facebook group and special newsletter.
9. Be encouraging and supportive and give rewards. You can buy stickers, create charts to tick off successful activities or make some badges yourself: Super! I speak French! My name is… Cut them out of card and tape on safety pins – taking care of course.
10. Don’t expect too much…but don’t give up! If your child understands that there is such a thing as another language, that’s success. If they learn a few key words and phrases, that’s success. But if they enjoy learning a language, that’s a huge success and the first step on a very exciting journey.
References
-Guardian article about the man who speaks 50 languages: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/aug/12/experience-i-speak-more-than-50-languages
-Languages in London: https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/discover/languages-london
Cath Bruzzone – studied Italian at university and started her career teaching French and Italian at secondary schools before becoming publisher of foreign language learning materials for Harrap, Pan Books and then starting her own business b small publishing. Learning languages is her hobby and she has two bilingual daughters and three granddaughters who are learning Italian…one only at the babbling stage, as yet.