How can I support my child at home with Languages (Chinese, French & Spanish) in Years 7-9? Many parents ask what they can do to help their child learn Chinese, French or Spanish at home, especially when they have little or no knowledge of the language themselves. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions and a list of suggested resources and strategies. Q: How much Independent Learning should my child be doing every week? Students will be asked regularly to complete Independent Learning tasks (1-2 times per fortnight). In Years 7 & 8 tasks will be recorded by teachers on the VLE and emailed to students and parents. From Year 9 onwards students are expected to take responsibility for noting this themselves using a diary or laptop. If the task requires a longer explanation, teachers may also email the instructions to the students or place tasks on Google Classroom. Other than this, the main out-of-school learning we ask students to do is regular (at least 2-3 times per week) learning and revision of vocabulary, regardless of whether a vocabulary test or dictation has been set by the teacher. A language is best learned and improved through frequent exposure to the language, and we therefore expect students to make a habit of setting aside short periods of time to review and extend their knowledge. If preparing for a vocabulary test or dictation, they should spend as long as they need to ensure they know how to write the words from memory. We expect students to take responsibility for finding a method that suits their own learning style (effective methods are discussed with students in class). Please see the section below for ideas for vocabulary / language learning to suit different learning styles. At least once a term, students also need to revise for Common Assessment Tests (this could be a formal “test” or a project). Students will be advised of the dates of the assessments in advance and should write details of these in their diaries. Teachers will discuss effective revision strategies in lessons so that students can prepare at home. Please see below for suggestions. Q: What resources can my child use to learn vocabulary / to extend their learning? ALL LANGUAGES (FRENCH, SPANISH, CHINESE): 1. PRO VOC: This a free vocabulary trainer for MacBooks that we ask students to download. Students can input their vocabulary lists and use the “training” functions to practice vocabulary recognition and spelling. It also has a “history” function so that students can see the progress they make over time. For more information: h ttp://www.arizona-software.ch/provoc/screenshots.html (NB Pro Voc has not been retired, despite the notice on this website). 2. QUIZLET: This is a free website that includes flashcards, study and game modes. There are ready-made sets of Chinese, French and Spanish flashcards; students can create their own sets and teachers often create and share sets with students. a. http://quizlet.com/subject/Chinese/ b. http://quizlet.com/subject/french/ c. http://quizlet.com/subject/spanish/
3. MYLO: www.hellomylo.com . Students can create their own account and work their way through fun and interactive games linked to topics. They can gain “kudos” points for completing activities, which they can then use to decorate their avatar. French, Spanish and Chinese B only. 4. SIS VLE / Learning Gateway: http://vle.sis.edu.hk/ . Students will find links to various resources, listening tasks and key course information here. FRENCH & SPANISH ONLY 1. LINGUASCOPE: www.linguascope.com (username: sislib password: lrc1819). This website has two levels suitable for Year 7 students – “elementary” and “beginner”. Year 8-9 students should start at “beginner” level. The activities include presentations of vocabulary and many fun games to practice spelling and pronunciation. 2. LANGUAGES ONLINE: www.languagesonline.org.uk . Students can click on “español” (Spanish) or “français” (French) on the left-hand menu, and practise grammar or vocabulary, or choose to play vocabulary games such as “speedword”. 3. ZUT / OYE: www.zut.org.uk (French username: 6681, password: sis) or http://oye.languageskills.co.uk/index.html (Spanish username 1242, password: sisspanish1). Students can choose from a variety of topics and listening, reading and vocabulary training activities. 4. EXTRA: http://www.francais-extra.co.uk/ (French) and http://www.espanol-extra.co.uk/ (Spanish). Spanish username: southisland password: sis12345 5. DODDLE: Teachers will assign work on this website for students to complete by a deadline. It includes topic and grammar presentations and a variety of quizzes and assessment which provide instant feedback on learning. Students can also choose extra sections to complete to extend their learning. www.doddlelearn.co.uk Teachers will give out usernames and passwords for this resource. 6. LYRICSTRAINING www.lyricstraining.com Change the language to French/Spanish and have fun listening to songs in your chosen language and filling in the gaps/multiple-choice activities. SPANISH ONLY 1. ACTIVELEARN - https://www.pearsonactivelearn.com/ This is the online version of the textbook with lots of interactive activities. Students will have individual usernames given to them by their teachers that they should write down and keep safe. A generic password will be set - sis12345 2. VIDEOELE www.videoele.com A website featuring videos in Spanish, with subtitles in various languages. Accompanied by interactive exercises. CHINESE ONLY 1. NCIKU: http://www.nciku.com/. A n online English and Chinese dictionary for Pathway B students.
2. http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php An online English and Chinese dictionary for Pathway B students. 3. ZDIC: http://www.zdic.net/. An online Chinese dictionary for Pathway A students. 4. C-READ: http://cread.cp-edu.com/. An online reading programme for Pathway A and AB students. 5. MANDARIN MATRIX: http://www.mandarinmatrix.com/. A reading programme for Pathway B students. 6. ARCH CHINESE: http://www.archchinese.com/mobile . For learning Chinese characters and radicals. 7. WRITTEN CHINESE : https://www.writtenchinese.com/ . For learning Chinese vocabulary, Chinese characters and radicals. Q: What other resources are available to students to extend their language skills? A wide range of magazines, reference books and books are available in the school LRC. Students may also find a range of Chinese learning materials in their local library. We recommend that Pathway A and AB students in particular do regular reading at home. There is also a wide range of “apps” available for iPad, iPhone or other smart devices, many of which are free. Examples of useful applications include: - Duolinguo (turns language learning into a game) - free - Memrise (good for visual learners) - free - Babbel – requires subscription - Learn Chinese by Brainscape – free with in-app purchase - Wordreference.com (dictionary) – free NB we do not recommend that any students use Google Translate for any aspect of their language learning, as the translations are often incorrect and students tend to use it as a shortcut. Q: What learning strategies can my child use to prepare for vocabulary tests / dictations / Common Assessment Tests? We recommend that students use strategies that best suit their learning style. Here are some ideas: - Making colourful mind-maps of key vocabulary to stick up in their bedroom (peripheral learning, plus the brain responds well to colour) - The “look, cover, write, check” method – old-fashioned but it works for lots of students! - Getting someone to test them, and re-test them on any words they got wrong. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak the language yourself, you could ask your child to spell the words to you or to write them down. - Making a song or rhyme up to help remember the words - Using the test feature in Quizlet - Get your child to teach vocabulary in a foreign language to you or a sibling! We often learn by teaching others. Q: Does my child need a private tutor? It is not necessary for any Year 7 students to have a private tutor in Chinese, French or Spanish. If you feel your child needs extra support, please contact the appropriate Head of Department so that
we can arrange further support from our Language Assistants and review in-class differentiation. Any students who enter SIS late in Years 7, 8 or 9 will have the opportunity to attend catch-up lessons at SIS, so a private tutor should not be necessary. Please contact the Head of Chinese, French or Spanish for more information about this (contact details below). Q: If I have any further questions about my child’s learning in Heritage and World Languages whom should I contact? In the first instance, please contact your child’s World Languages teacher. Their name will appear on your child’s timetable on iSAMS and in their diary. Contact details can be found on the SIS website (http://www.sis.edu.hk) – select “About us” and then “Our staff”, “Teaching Staff” and finally “Heritage and World Languages”. If you have any further questions, please contact Danni Li Leading Teacher of Chinese (Years 7-9)
[email protected] ; Tracy Cheung (Head of Chinese) at
[email protected] ; Nina Voce (Head of French) at n
[email protected] ; Holly Dauncey (Head of Spanish) at h
[email protected] or myself at k
[email protected] Kelly Díaz, Head of Heritage and World Languages
