As schools across Europe celebrate the European Day of Languages, Albyn School is highlighting the benefits of language learning and the opportunities it offers pupils from the very earliest stages of their education.
At Albyn, language learning begins in Primary 1, when pupils are introduced to French. From Primary 6, they also have the opportunity to learn Spanish and German, broadening their understanding of different languages, cultures and perspectives.
For Nadine Lamont, Faculty Head of Modern Languages at Albyn, learning a modern language is about much more than developing the ability to communicate in another language.
“Learning a modern language gives children so much more than another way to communicate. It opens up another culture and gives them a sense of the wider world from a really young age,” she explains.
“Learning another language also supports pupils’ literacy development in English, while helping them develop important personal skills such as confidence, resilience and perseverance. Listening carefully, remembering new vocabulary, having a go and making mistakes are all part of the process.”
Starting language learning at an early age gives pupils the opportunity to develop their confidence gradually, while discovering languages and cultures in an engaging and enjoyable way.
From the classroom to an internationally recognised qualification
One of the opportunities available to Albyn pupils is the chance to work towards the DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française) qualification.
DELF is an internationally recognised French-language qualification awarded by the French Ministry of Education. Albyn is currently the only school in Scotland offering DELF to pupils at primary school age.
Having started learning French in Primary 1, pupils have several years to develop their knowledge and confidence before taking the exam. They are assessed across the four key language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate how their French has developed through sustained learning.
For primary-aged pupils, achieving an internationally recognised qualification is a significant accomplishment. It gives them a tangible achievement to celebrate while demonstrating what can be achieved through hard work, determination and perseverance.
As Nadine says: “They can look back and think, ‘I worked hard for this, I was nervous, but I did it.’”
That experience of working towards a challenging goal and achieving it can help build confidence and give pupils a sense of purpose in their learning.
Albyn recently celebrated the achievements of pupils who received their DELF certificates, recognising the hard work and commitment they had shown in developing their French.
Looking beyond the classroom
The opportunity to work towards DELF reflects Albyn’s wider approach to modern language learning: encouraging pupils to enjoy languages while developing an understanding of where those languages can take them.
French, Spanish and German provide pupils with opportunities to explore different cultures and perspectives, while developing their confidence as communicators.
The experience of working towards DELF also gives pupils an early introduction to the experience of studying for a formal language qualification, providing a strong foundation for the National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher language examinations available in the Upper School.
Ultimately, Albyn aims for pupils to leave school as confident communicators who are curious about other cultures, resilient in their learning and enthusiastic about continuing to develop their language skills.
“We want children to leave primary school not only with strong language skills, but with the confidence to communicate, the curiosity to explore and the enthusiasm to keep learning,” says Nadine.
This European Day of Languages, Albyn is proud to celebrate the enthusiasm, achievement and curiosity of its young linguists, and to see where their language journeys take them next.
To find out more about modern languages at Albyn and discover the opportunities available to pupils, come along to the Albyn School Open Evening on Tuesday 6 October. Register here: www.albynschool.org/news-events/open-evening-oct