C'est fantastique! Hitchin Children Celebrate European Day of Languages
| Published: 23rd September 2008 20:06 |
A day-long festival of language learning is set to enthuse teachers from across the county this Friday, the European Day of Languages which celebrates language and cultural diversity.
From September 2009, the government has decided that every seven to eleven-year-old in the country must learn a foreign language. Most Hertfordshire schools have already taken up the challenge, with children from the age of three enjoying language lessons.
Friday's festival, at Robertson House in Stevenage, is designed to inspire teachers and demonstrate different ways to make learning a new language fun. A wide range of books and interactive resources aimed specifically at younger children will be on display, and Lucy Adamson from the National Centre for Information on Languages will give the keynote speech.
Children from a number of schools will show how it's done with 'live' language lessons to observe, including the William Ransom Primary School from Hitchin.
Keith Emsall, Executive Member for Education said: "For many adults the challenge of learning a new language is rather daunting and it is all too easy to find a reason not to make the time. I'm delighted that in Hertfordshire schools and nurseries, children as young as three years old are showing us how much fun it can be to communicate in a new way.
"Hopefully these young linguists will grow up able to communicate in another language for business and pleasure, while gaining a more thorough understanding of English at the same time."
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