SYTL Language Adventures - Flipbook - Page 7
Language Adventures: Embracing Languages and Cultures in Primary School
1.3 Ideas for practical application
Language policies
A language policy, which allows and encourages pupils to use languages other
than the language of schooling both in school and as part of the learning
process, can contribute greatly to the pupils9 understanding of the connection
between languages and cultures. Firstly, teachers and principals who
demonstrate an interest in diferent languages and cultures act as powerful role
models, boosting pupils9 conodence and curiosity. A language policy should also
give a role to parents and guardians, to reinforce that encouragement.
Pupils can learn words and can also learn about facial expressions, hand gestures
and intonations associated with diferent languages, by observing classmates
interact in other languages.
They can learn this explicitly via pupils teaching other
pupils but they can also learn this incidentally (for
example, a pupil speaking Italian in class or in the yard
may use their hands more, and potentially sound bit
louder than usual, etc.).
Pupils might observe that
some classmates may
assume diferent postures
and perhaps, look more
