MFL

At Ellwood School, we aim to develop communication and literacy skills that lay the foundation for future language learning, and encourage curiosity about languages. Children will be given the opportunity to begin to express themselves through both speech and writing. They will extend their knowledge of how language works and explore differences between foreign languages and English. Learning a foreign language promotes children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; they will strengthen their sense of identity through learning about culture in other countries and comparing it with our own.

French at Ellwood!
 
At Ellwood, we enjoy French lessons which are taught in Year 3, Sycamore and Willow class. We start by learning our greetings and by Year 6 are able to start writing sentences! Take a look above for some pictures from our lessons.  
Writing to our pen pals!
 
We were so excited to receive such beautiful letters from our pen pals in France. Year 3, Sycamore and Willow will be writing our own letters using our French to answer their questions. 
European Day of Languages 
 
Willow class learnt greetings in German, linked via skype to find out what life is like in Germany and tasted some of their food.
European Day of Languages
 
In Oak Class we explored Italy. We learnt some important information about Italy and looked at Italian landmarks. We then tasted some pizza and decorated our own Italian flags. 
European Day of Languages in Sycamore Class
 
Sycamore class learned about what European Languages Day is. They looked at Europe, and used maps and atlases to help list the countries in Europe. They learned about the other continents through the Continents Song which the children loved.

They then focused their learning on Austria and found out that they speak German in Austria so practised having conversations in German. They learned facts about the Alps and how to make origami Austrian hats.

Austria is famous for printing so the children carved their own patterns into potatoes and practised printing a repeated pattern using the colours of the Austrian flag.

They also looked at the trailer for the Sound of Music and learned to sing Edelweiss, discussing the importance of the flower to the country. A great day - Auf Wiedersehen!
Chestnut's European Day of Languages
 
Chestnut class learned about Italy, they made flags, looked at where Italy is on a map and discussed what it was like as some of the children had been there on holiday. Mrs Charles taught them how to sing happy birthday.
 
 
Link with St Hilaire de Riez
We are pleased that we have been able to pick up our link with Ecole Henry Simon in the town of St Hilaire de Riez, which is twinned with Coleford. The children have started to exchange letters, examples can be seen below, and we are hoping to set up a virtual meeting once they get to know each other a little better.