As a Specialist Language College, Trinity School set up the Primary Languages Project in 2001 in an attempt to spread enthusiasm for foreign languages amongst the younger age group in the local community. Language teachers from Trinity go into a number of local primary schools to help their own teachers to introduce French, German, Spanish and Italian. The project has been really successful. Children enjoy their lessons and make good progress. A feature of the project has been to teach children through stories in the foreign language, both traditional and more modern tales.

Following the success of our last two summer schools with the theme of the Eurovision Song Contest, we decided to change the format slightly this year and welcomed 24 children from a range of local primary schools to our two-day workshop on the theme of Europe's Got Talent! The workshop took place at the very start of the summer holidays and was an opportunity for any local children in Year 5 and Year 6 to come along and enjoy languages in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, whatever their previous experience of foreign languages might have been. Children were given the opportunity to improve their skills in two languages, either French and German or Spanish and Italian. Everybody learned how to introduce themselves in both languages and then took part in activities such as singing simple songs, reciting short poems and even telling very basic jokes in their chosen languages. On the second day they created hats to represent a European country and then practised the act that they were going to perform to the other participants. At lunchtime on both days the children were introduced to a selection of European foods which they were very enthusiastic about sampling! After that they played games such as French boules outside. The performances were great, especially considering how little time there had been to learn new language. We watched and listened to songs, puppet shows and even some jokes told by people who had only started to learn that languages the day before. Find out how much the children enjoyed it by looking at their pictures and reading some of their comments:

I thought that the languages workshop was 'fenomenal!' because it was cool and a great thing to do.
The best bit was all of it! (Lucy)

I thought that the languages workshop was 'prima!' because it was interesting and I learned a lot.
The best bit was performing the acts and meeting new friends. (Kiera)

I thought that the languages workshop was 'muy bien!' because I didn't know any Spanish or Italian.
The best bit was making the hats. (Emily)

I thought that the languages workshop was 'fenomenal!' because it was interesting to try different languages.
The best bit was the show at the end of the last day. (Georgina)

I thought that the languages workshop was 'fenomenal!' because it was fun and the people around you were kind.
The best bit was learning more Spanish and Italian and the talent show was amazing! (Ellie)

I thought that the languages workshop was really good because of the food and learning different languages.
The best bit was lunchtime!!! (Matthew)

I thought that the languages workshop was 'fenomenal!' because I love learning languages.
The best bit was the show/food. (Oliver)

I thought that the languages workshop was 'fenomenal!' because you did lots of fun things.
The best bit was being able to try new languages. Thanks. (Tom)

I thought that the languages workshop was spectacular because doing different languages is fun.
The best bit was everything. (Steven)

In 2005 we were delighted to be awarded a European Award for Languages. This was awarded jointly to Trinity and Rockcliffe CE Primary School, one of our partner schools, for a German project entitled Märchen und Mehr! which in translation means 'Fairy tales and more!' Fairy tales that the children had worked on include stories written down by the Grimm brothers in their original language, German, such as Schneewittchen (Snow White), Rotkäppchen (Little Red Riding Hood), Der Froschkönig (The Frog Prince) and Die drei kleinen Schweinchen (The Three Little Pigs). Winners of the EAL are encouraged to expand their project into other schools, and children in many of our partner schools now enjoy working on a variety of stories in different languages, in addition to their other language work.
You can find out more about The National Centre for Languages by clicking the above logo.

Since 2006 Trinity School has hosted the Carlisle and North East Cumbria Local Support Group for Early Language Learning. This is part of a network funded by the National Centre for Languages (CILT) and provides 5 free twilight support sessions a year for anyone involved in teaching or supporting languages to younger children in any educational sector.

Details of sessions for 2009-2010:
Session 1: 29.09.09 KS2 - Cross-curricular theme (music) 'From the Blue Danube to the Three Bears' Living Room: Ideas for synthesizing KS2 music and language objectives'
Session 2: 19.11.09 - Using a resource from the LSG collection. Teachers will show how they have used an item from the Trinity resources bank in the classroom.
Session 3: 28.01.10 - KS2 to KS3 transition in MFL and the European Day of Languages. Follow-up on initiatives started last year but of interest to all involved in KS2 or KS3 MFL, whether they attended last year or not.
Session 4: 09.03.10 - Responses to frequently asked questions e.g. 'What do I put in a PML policy?' 'What will Ofsted expect from PML?' 'What’s the best way to collate evidence in PML?'
Session 5: 26.05.10 - Cross-curricular theme (literacy) A poem is a poem whatever the language. The benefits of using poetry both for language learning and for linking with literacy.

All sessions scheduled to take place 4.15 - 5.45 (refreshments from 4.00) in the Chapman Libraryl.
You can read reports of past sessions on the Primary Languages website (www.primarylanguages.org.uk/link/lsgs.aspx). This website can also give you information about other LSGs and up-to-date advice about all aspects of teaching languages to KS1 and KS2. Information about individual sessions will be emailed to schools in advance of each session with a reply slip. If you wish to register now for any or all of these sessions, simply send an email to the LSG co-ordinator, hke@trinity.cumbria.sch.uk (and make a note in your diary!). Everybody is welcome and refreshments are provided.