Modelling new vocabulary for learners
Modelling new words is key to developing good pronunciation when learning new language but we must remember to engage children by using a variety of methods other than asking the children to "repeat after me".
The most effective methods of modelling are often those that involve the children repeating after the teacher but in a way that is not obvious but is fun.
Modelling through games
Simon Says
Personally, my favourite way to model new language is through the classic game of 'Simon says', ‘Simon dice’ in Spanish or ‘Jacques à dit’ in French. The teacher says Simon says followed by the word and an action, and students repeat the word AND the action. Some teachers just ask the children to do the action when they hear the word, asking the children to repeat as part of the game helps to incorporate repetition of the new words.
Beat the teacher
This is another favourite for many as a way to model language in a fun and engaging way. It introduces an element of competition between the class and the teacher, which the children love. The teacher says a word and action and the children repeat but only when the action matches the word. If the action doesn’t match then pupils do not repeat. If they do repeat, the teacher wins a point but if they remain silent then the class wins a point. Quite simple!
The detectives game
This is extremely repetitive and from experience the children love it. Have a list of the words you are learning on the board. There are two roles in this game; the teacher needs to choose a 'detective' to go out of the room and then nominates a ‘game controller’.
When the detective comes back into the room the class starts chanting the first word from the list of words on the board. The ‘game controller’ must then send a secret signal to the teacher to chant the next word in the list. This secret signal could be a little wink, a flick of the hair or a nod. The aim of the game is for the detective to guess who the controller is. They have three chances to guess once the class reaches the end of the list.
Let the children have a say
Why not let the children have a say in the way that the new language is modeled by using the 'voice changer' activity. The teacher models the new words using a type of voice, for example, a slow voice. Once you have practised all the words, ask the class for ideas of different voices to use. 'Angry voices' is a popular on! Others include whispering voices, happy voices, robot voices (complete with actions) and serious voices. The children love having a say in their learning and it is really motivating to get the class involved.
Modeling through song
Our Click to Teach scheme of work has been revamped this year with some exciting, repetitive songs that help to model new language to the children. These songs have been such a hit in the classroom with both children and teachers alike. Let's take a look at two popular songs from the scheme.
The Manners Song
If we take a look at the stage 1 scheme of work in summer 1, lesson 4, we have 'The manners song'. This song teaches four keywords in a repetitive way: 'Quisiera' ( I would like) 'Gracias' (Thank you) 'muchas gracias' (thank you very much) and 'Por favor' (Please). As with all other modeling methods, the words in the song should be accompanied by action to help aid memorisation.
The weather rap
The weather rap in stage 2 summer 2 has been a hit over the last couple of years and can be found on our Planet Languages YouTube channel as well as built into our scheme of work. The children have loved rapping along with the song and even find themselves still singing it at the end of the lesson "¿Qué tempo hace hoy?". This song repeats this question over and over to practice asking "what is the weather like today?
Modelling language as a non-specialist
If you are a non-specialist teacher and you are worried about teaching new language, fear not! Our Click to teach scheme of work includes native speaker sound files on the slides. Simply click the speaker and a native speaker's voice will model the language for you
Stage 1, Spring 1, lesson 2. This speaking activity helps children to practise the 'r' sound in Spanish. It fits in nicely with the topic of animals in spring 1. They are so much fun, make sure to give them a go with your classes.
Lisa Ormes
Associate Primary Languages Teacher
Lisa Ormes is an associate language teacher at PLN specialising in Spanish and has worked with us for the last four years across a number of schools. Lisa has a wealth of teaching experience including secondary and sixth form as well as English as a Foreign Language in Spain and Japan. She is passionate about helping our young learners to become independent language detectives whilst developing a love for languages.