The Languages Bridge^©

An innovative, web-based programme of multilingual materials designed to teach how languages work. Researched and trialled in fourteen schools, it uses examples from nine European languages, Mandarin and Japanese.

The aim of The Languages Bridge© is to equip children with a toolkit of language and communication skills through teaching a core of knowledge about language structure in a coherent programme of activities for children aged 7 to 14. By raising curiosity and developing a deeper understanding about how languages work, confidence and motivation for language learning will increase.

The innovative, multilingual teaching materials appeal to the curiosity of young learners through the use of narrative and active learning and remove the fear of attempting other languages.

From 2004 -2007 The Languages Bridge© team researched pupils’ language learning styles, identified key elements of language learning and created six Building Blocks, each featuring progressive skills in a continuum of learning (General sound discrimination, Sound and word recognition, Word classes, Word properties, Sentence types, Real purposes and real audiences). The materials were trialled in 12 primary and 2 secondary schools.

During the three year research phase of the project, 60 lessons were observed, 1120 pupils and 25 teachers were involved and in-depth pupil learning logs and teacher evaluations kept. The project has been externally evaluated annually.

National and international dissemination has led to a web-based Online Community of Practice accessing the materials and contributing to their further development.

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