Zooming towards EDoL:
Six inspiring ideas that are out of this world!
This years EDoL interactive crib sheet
At the start of every academic year, we find our minds drawn towards the language celebration on or around 26th September… European Day of Languages!
At PLN, we offer a range of resources linked to a particular theme, plus an archive of previous themes available to members on the Primary Languages VLE.
This year, our theme is all about rockets, positivity and also Eurovision!
1) I am a rocket
Thanks to the wonderful Joanne Eccleshare, we have another fabulous song to practise with our language learners. Full of positivity, hopes and dreams for the future and available in French, Spanish and English, this song will bring languages to life in school (and quite possibly get stuck in your head!!) With audio files and backing tracks, teachers can join in the singing with the children and have fun consolidating prior learning and picking up some new vocabulary too!
2) Rocket word art
Sticking with the rocket theme, the children can then go on to create Word Art rockets in French, Spanish or German. The two rocket templates can be filled with colour words or a countdown from September to May… when the UK will be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest!
3) Ukrainian basics video
It’s important to remember why the UK are hosting Eurovision in 2023, and that is on behalf of Ukraine. Why not have a look at our YouTube video featuring some basic Ukrainian language and phrases… or there may be Ukrainian children in your school who could teach you some more of their native language, what a great opportunity!
4) Eurovision performance
Perhaps the children will enjoy the rocket song so much that they are inspired to have a mini-Eurovision-style performance in school! There are so many great songs that Joanne has created over the years, and this is a way of really bringing this languages celebration to life. Imagine each year group performing a different song, from Rainbow of Love for EDoL 2020, the Sea Shanty journey song from last year and this year’s Rocket song – what an incredible show that would be! And if the children enjoy performing, they could put on another show in May…
5) Microphone of positivity
But no performance would be complete without a microphone, I hear you say! This is no ordinary microphone… this is our Microphone of Positivity! As the rocket song is full of positive vibes and affirmations, the children could decorate their microphones with lyrics from the song, feelings phrases learnt in language lessons, positive phrases in another language they know… the possibilities are endless!
Or if the children are feeling creative, they could make a 3D microphone with a kitchen roll tube, use a toy microphone, or even use a hairbrush!
6) Hopes and roles
In UKS2, the hopes and roles unit could be a great extension activity or lesson. Part of the song includes professions, and this unit allows the children to express what they would like to be when they’re older. Use the professions PowerPoint to introduce the professions and phrase in French, Spanish and German.
So, there you have our six ideas for European Day of Languages 2022, all featured on the EDoL 2022 PDF along with the podcast to talk you through these ideas. I hope you find them inspiring and enjoy celebrating languages in your school!
