Kent Primary Festival of Languages - Summer 2000

Various events were staged around the county to celebrate a decade of primary modern foreign languages in Kent.

Individual schools organised Europe Days. Sandling School invited our Euro M.P. in to talk to the pupils and answer questions as well as having a Spanish taster lesson in every class to make a change from their normal French lessons.

The Festivals of Languages were made possible by the co-operation of enthusiastic staff from around the county. Alison Wright organised extensive sponsorship from Eurotunnel for her event in South Kent and her account of the day is included too.

In East Kent, Herne Juniors and Infant schools united with Hampton and Briary Primary schools on 11 July. In addition, Briary brought along 36 pupils from their French exchange school. The French children sang, danced and acted. Briary presented the drama they had shown in France. Herne Infants school sang a Japanese song which their Japanese intern had taught them in addition to songs in European languages. Hampton Year 4 pupils demonstrated a numeracy hour activity with numbers and colours.

All the schools had learned "Bleu, blanc, rouge" from OK Chantez and "Quelle est la Date de ton Anniversaire?" from Un Kilo de Chansons to sing as a community activity.

On Bastille Day, Danley Middle School hosted a Festival of Languages for local primary schools. Special thanks need to go to Margaret Murray for her terrific organisation and co-ordination within the school. The coffee, croissants and pain au chocolat were particularly appreciated by the accompanying staff.

In the morning Year 8 pupils led small groups of children from the visiting primary schools in language activities. In the afternoon the Year 6 children from Danley, Minterne Juniors, Regis Manor, Bobbing and Bredgar schools presented a show.

Minterne had learned the football song which was written by Lucy Kelly, Ocker Hill Junior school and gifted to the world through the ELL forum. The children had made the flags for each country. After they had sung it through twice they taught it to the rest of the audience. It was a great hit.

Minterne Primary school pupils

Bredgar Primary school had a song about daily routines. Regis Manor had a huge surprise at the end of the Hungry Caterpillar when they all turned around and became the butterfly, having shown us all the items which had been consumed. Bobbing sang three songs in Czech, French and Swahili.

Bobbing Primary school pupils

The Danley pupils demonstrated a wide variety of activities from an ice cream sketch to an explanation of Bastille Day and some work with the Russian alphabet.

All involved were awarded a commemorative certificate and the adults are committed to repeating the exercise next year. The EYL2001 is being taken very seriously in Kent.

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