Pre-Prep celebrate World Languages Day

Pre-prep celebrated Languages Day, learning a range of different languages. Pupils from Prep and Senior assisted learning, creating a wonderful and educational community event.

Pre-Prep has been buzzing with the sounds of different languages and cultures today as we celebrated Languages Day across Haresfoot. From theatre workshops to visits from other keen Berkhamsted linguists, Pre-Prep have enjoyed sharing different cultures and learning how to express themselves in other languages.

Years 1 and 2 began the day with a special theatre workshop experience, learning all about Ghanaian culture and the oral histories of Anansi. This was an opportunity to appreciate the stories of a different culture, and pupils had lots of fun dressing up and co-performing some of Anansi’s famous tales.

Pre-Prep were then surprised by the impressive fleet of keen language learners that arrived from Berkhamsted Prep, Girls and Boys. Year 6 Language leaders led introductory sessions for Stepping Stones on all the different ways to say ‘hello.’ Everyone enjoyed singing along to “Hello to all the Children of the World,” and Year 6 proved themselves to be very good teachers by being patient and encouraging with Stepping Stones.

Year 6 weren’t only teaching verbal languages. Another pupil, Frida, was teaching pupils how to speak the expressive sign language Makaton. “We’re going to do animals, food, hello, goodbye and please and thank you,” she shared before visiting Year 1. “It can be quite tricky, but I’m sure they can do it!” Indeed, they could with Frida and Ms Appleyard’s expert help.

Year 7 Girls enjoyed teaching Year 2 lots of beginner Spanish lingo, including animals, food and colours. Year 10 language lovers were also in attendance, teaching French and Mandarin with a variety of engaging and energetic games. Year 10 pupil Deven shared, “I chose to come to the Pre-prep today to support the children as they learn French and give them a bit of help and encouragement.” We’re sure that Deven and his group’s energetic (and highly competitive) treasure hunt brought great enthusiasm to Pre-Prep’s language learning, and it certainly showed how much fun French can be. These teaching opportunities also benefit Senior pupils, as leading sessions helps them to consolidate learning, practise communication and connect with children of different ages.

By the end of the day, pupils had learned far more than some extra French vocabulary. They had explored the multicultural world around them and appreciated the range of different ways that people can express themselves. Several teachers taught lessons in their mother tongues, including Polish and Cornish, and multilingual pupils proudly shared their culture with classmates.

Through fun, play and connection, Pre-Prep celebrated the joy of learning languages and learnt to appreciate the wider multicultural society in which they live.