"As of this month, it’s compulsory for pupils at key stage 2 in England to learn a foreign language.... Students aged seven to 11 will now be required to make “substantial progress” in any one modern or ancient language..."
(The Guardian, 15th September 2014)
Foreign languages have begun to play a more significant role in the education system for young learners aged 7-11 in the UK. Getting a heard start in one of the modern or ancient languages places your child in a more competitive position and ensures they do not fall behind if they decide to further their education in England.
(The Guardian, 15th September 2014)
Foreign languages have begun to play a more significant role in the education system for young learners aged 7-11 in the UK. Getting a heard start in one of the modern or ancient languages places your child in a more competitive position and ensures they do not fall behind if they decide to further their education in England.
Primary: Phonics, English, Maths, Latin, French
Phonics
Phonics plays a key role in all aspects of reading and raises children's awareness between the relationship of writing and speech. From experience, students who have the knowledge and skill in phonics read with better accuracy and fluency, and are better spellers. I will initially identify a child's level of phonetical knowledge and key areas to focus on. Then, according to their needs, they learn about the letter-sound relationships and discover tricky words that do not follow the regular sound patterns. Equipped with these skills, they are able to recognise quickly familiar words and pronounce correctly words they have never met before.
English
At a primary level, it is my first priority to ensure the foundations in English are well established: grammar, punctuation and sentence structures are rigorously instilled. Once the foundations have been laid, it is time to employ and experiment with the rudiments of reading and writing. Many of my students find writing a monumental task- perhaps they can't think of a good plot for a story or they can think only of a few sentences to describe their perfect holiday. To become a good writer, children must first love to read. Stephen King said, "If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that."
I inspire all my students to become book lovers because it is the best way to get inspiration for their own writing; it stimulates the mind and makes one's writing stronger. I assist students with finding their creative side and developing the core literacy skills that enable them to express their ideas to produce interesting pieces of work. I make use of theme-based topics for comprehension and composition, vocabulary building games and word puzzles to make lessons fun and motivating.
At a primary level, it is my first priority to ensure the foundations in English are well established: grammar, punctuation and sentence structures are rigorously instilled. Once the foundations have been laid, it is time to employ and experiment with the rudiments of reading and writing. Many of my students find writing a monumental task- perhaps they can't think of a good plot for a story or they can think only of a few sentences to describe their perfect holiday. To become a good writer, children must first love to read. Stephen King said, "If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that."
I inspire all my students to become book lovers because it is the best way to get inspiration for their own writing; it stimulates the mind and makes one's writing stronger. I assist students with finding their creative side and developing the core literacy skills that enable them to express their ideas to produce interesting pieces of work. I make use of theme-based topics for comprehension and composition, vocabulary building games and word puzzles to make lessons fun and motivating.
Mathematics
I have found that in recent years that many children by the age of 10 are not secure with their times tables up to 12 and even with basic operations, they may still be using their fingers. I help students to develop greater mathematical fluency and ensure that these basic elements become second nature to them. Students feel more confident and subsequent topics become easier to get to grips with and recall. They are prepared to tackle questions drawing on more than one topic and to readily apply problem solving techniques to less straightforward and longer questions.
I have found that in recent years that many children by the age of 10 are not secure with their times tables up to 12 and even with basic operations, they may still be using their fingers. I help students to develop greater mathematical fluency and ensure that these basic elements become second nature to them. Students feel more confident and subsequent topics become easier to get to grips with and recall. They are prepared to tackle questions drawing on more than one topic and to readily apply problem solving techniques to less straightforward and longer questions.
Latin
Latin is a relatively uncommon language in Hong Kong and I often get asked why children would learn a dead Latin language when they could learn French or Spanish. I think a more appropriate question to ask would be "Why not Latin?" when it benefits enormously a child's English and the acquisition of other languages.
Approximately 60% of all English words are derived from Latin roots and five of the most widely spoken Romance languages evolved from Latin. Latin learners frequently pick up new words in English whilst learning new words in Latin. For instance, young learners start with everyday vocabulary such as mater, agricola and ambulat. Immediately they get a good idea of the meanings of maternal/maternity, agriculture and amble/ambulance and are able to form a relationship between the two languages. Older students will notice how exempli gratia (e.g.), et cetera (etc.) and anno domini (A.D.) all come from Latin and realise how Latin is incorporated into the daily usage of English. Children learning French also pick up similarities between the two languages, for instance "porter" in French means "to carry" and "portare" in Latin means "to carry/to bring".
Students also learn basic grammar constructions and translate simple sentences, dialogues and role-plays into English. The Latin stories they read may be based around a Roman family and the how they go about their everyday lives or they could relate legends of Rome. Children are also fascinated by the archaeological findings in the Roman reports and they enjoy reading about Greek heroes and their many adventures.
Latin is a relatively uncommon language in Hong Kong and I often get asked why children would learn a dead Latin language when they could learn French or Spanish. I think a more appropriate question to ask would be "Why not Latin?" when it benefits enormously a child's English and the acquisition of other languages.
Approximately 60% of all English words are derived from Latin roots and five of the most widely spoken Romance languages evolved from Latin. Latin learners frequently pick up new words in English whilst learning new words in Latin. For instance, young learners start with everyday vocabulary such as mater, agricola and ambulat. Immediately they get a good idea of the meanings of maternal/maternity, agriculture and amble/ambulance and are able to form a relationship between the two languages. Older students will notice how exempli gratia (e.g.), et cetera (etc.) and anno domini (A.D.) all come from Latin and realise how Latin is incorporated into the daily usage of English. Children learning French also pick up similarities between the two languages, for instance "porter" in French means "to carry" and "portare" in Latin means "to carry/to bring".
Students also learn basic grammar constructions and translate simple sentences, dialogues and role-plays into English. The Latin stories they read may be based around a Roman family and the how they go about their everyday lives or they could relate legends of Rome. Children are also fascinated by the archaeological findings in the Roman reports and they enjoy reading about Greek heroes and their many adventures.
French
For new learners in French, my first priority is to ensure students get the pronunciation right and to recognise the sounds of letters and letter combinations. Then I introduce phrases and vocabulary through a wide range of challenging teaching material relevant to their ages. These spark interest in the language and it encourages students to speak and interact with me, or their partner if in small group sessions. I make use of songs and rhyme to help students develop their ear and produce perfect sounds. They also love to learn through word puzzles and quizzes, which hone their skills in French, and teach them French culture and interesting facts about France.
Student Shanna, aged 7 from Yew Chung International School, shares with us
some of the things she learns in her Latin and French lessons.
For new learners in French, my first priority is to ensure students get the pronunciation right and to recognise the sounds of letters and letter combinations. Then I introduce phrases and vocabulary through a wide range of challenging teaching material relevant to their ages. These spark interest in the language and it encourages students to speak and interact with me, or their partner if in small group sessions. I make use of songs and rhyme to help students develop their ear and produce perfect sounds. They also love to learn through word puzzles and quizzes, which hone their skills in French, and teach them French culture and interesting facts about France.
Student Shanna, aged 7 from Yew Chung International School, shares with us
some of the things she learns in her Latin and French lessons.
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Vocabulary key for Latin words (from top left)
fructus = fruit panis = bread picis = fish vir = man avis = bird mater et filia = mother and daughter miles = soldier canis = dog discipulus = student puella = girl navis = ship Zeus/Jupiter = King of the gods |