But add music, movement, and a splash of global colour? Suddenly, they’re all in.

The introduction of dance into multicultural days for schools combines work and play. As a result, it’s a fun and powerful way to get them started with language learning without even realising they’re learning.

What’s more, today’s Bollywood and flamenco sessions for schools are a far cry from the days the boys squirmed about holding hands with the girls. Because we’ve had Strictly Come Dancing since then, making dance cool again.

Why Dance Works at Multicultural Days for Schools

 Children learn best when they’re engaged, active, and enjoying themselves. For these reasons, dance ticks the following boxes:

• Boosts memory – Movement helps anchor new vocabulary
• Grows confidence – ‘In the moment’ participation
• Improves focus: – Dancing can intensify concentration
• Encourages expression – Ideal for children finding their voice in a multicultural, multidimensional world

Think of it like language learning without the worksheets.

Flamenco and Bollywood Examples

 These two cultural dance styles are prime examples of bringing language and culture to life in the classroom:

• Flamenco from Spain – The rhythmic clapping, stamping and expressive movement originated in Southern Spanish culture. Its amalgamation of music, song and storytelling is a brilliant way to introduce Spanish sounds and rhythm to young ears and minds.

• Bollywood from India – Its high energy, expressive and personality packed vibe blends styles like bhangra, hip hop and jazz. Every movement is part of a story, making it ideal for exploring language through music and emotion. What better way to celebrate Diwali or Eid in class?

But there’s more going on here than throwing shapes.

Shake Up Your KS1 Language Lessons

 At la Academia, our dance sessions bring more than fun routines to multicultural days for schools. Think:

• Recognition and repetition of new words
• Connection of language with cultural experience
• Excitement of learning something new, without fear of otherness 

Get in touch to turn up the volume on confident, curious, culturally aware learners. And take our word for it. Pupils willingly learn more dancing their way around the world than sat at desks.

Spanish lessons for children at a leading language school are fun and vibrant. Moreover, they help open up a world of opportunities far beyond the school gates.

Brainy Benefits of Spanish Lessons for Children

 Spanish lessons for children are chockfull of juicy benefits every parent wants to equip their young students with, like:

• Sharper thinking – Learning Spanish boosts memory, multitasking, and problem-solving.

• Speaking confidence – Kids become braver, better communicators, even shy ones.

• Adventurous spirit – Tackling the Spanish language makes children curious and open to new experiences.

These traits give your child that something extra, when they’re in the education system and when they enter the adult world.

Global Citizens in the Making

 We live in a multicultural, multilingual Britain – and that’s a good thing. Accordingly, learning Spanish from an early age helps your child to:

• Champion diversity – Understand and respect other cultures.

• Build tolerance – Learning about different traditions nurtures empathy and global awareness.

• Fit right in – Introduce them to the intercultural skills essential for getting on in a connected world.

Although there’s more to it than soft skills.

Big Futures and Bright Horizons

 According to Wikipedia’s List of countries and territories where Spanish is an official language: “Spanish is the official language in 20 sovereign states, one dependent territory (Puerto Rico), and one partially recognised state (Arab Democratic Republic), totaling around 442 million people.” That’s a lot of amigos!

Imagine how these sorts of numbers translate in terms of:

• Travel made easy – Ordering tapas in Madrid or exploring Mexico City will feel like child’s play.

• Career advantage – Spanish opens serious doors, from food to pharma.

• University entry – A second language looks very shiny on applications.

Give Your Child the Gift of Spanish

 At la Academia, our Spanish lessons or children are fun, playful, interactive, and confidence-building. They incorporate games, songs, and films, with qualified teachers who know how to inspire children to love learning Spanish.

So, why not expand your child’s world with after school and home-schooled Spanish lessons for children?

AFTER SCHOOL SPANISH CLASSES

Mondays | Key Stage 2 | 5.00pm – 6.00pm
Wednesdays | Advanced – GCSE Preparation | 4.30pm – 5.30pm
Wednesdays | Years 1, 2 and 3 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursdays | Advanced – Primary (Bilingual) | 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Thursdays | Year 1, 2 and 3 | 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Thursdays | Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 | 4.00pm – 5.00pm

HOME-SCHOOLED SPANISH CLASSES

Fridays | Primary – HOME-EDUCATED | 11.00am – 12.00pm (termly)

Get in touch for any of these courses or something more bespoke.

The immediate attraction is clear. Imagine strolling through the sun-soaked streets of Malaga, proudly watching your little one’s beaming smile as they ask the vendor for an ice cream in perfect Spanish. It’s the dream many parents are chasing as they sign up their 4-6-year-olds for Spanish classes. And who can blame them? Those family trips to Spain suddenly become a breeze when your mini adventurer can hold their own in conversations.

But it’s not just about travel goals. In addition, there’s a whole bunch of reasons why teaching your tiny humans Español early on is an inspired idea. Not sure? Let’s take a look…

Boosts Cognitive Skills

Reception and Year 1 children have sponge-like brains that are craving knowledge. To this end, learning a second language is a colossal brain booster that also helps them ace their other subjects.

Cultivates a Love for Learning

Signing your little ones up to learn Spanish doesn’t mean you’re turning into a full-on Tiger Mum (or Dad!). On the contrary, it’s about nurturing the joy of education. This is because tailored Spanish lessons for their age group are playful escapades filled with games, songs, and exciting activities. As a result, your child won’t even realise they’re developing a skill that could open doors in the future.

Expands Horizons

Enrolling in Spanish classes also introduces young students to diverse cultures, nurturing empathy and an appreciation for multiculturalism – all while having the most fun ever.

Ultimately, learning Spanish isn’t just about future travels, (although those tapas will taste even better when your squad can order them for you). It’s a journey your child will cherish – and who knows, they might just become the coolest multilingual adventurer on the playground!

At La Academia, our purpose-designed Spanish classes for Reception and Year 1 students ignite curiosity, foster brainpower, and instill a love for language and culture. Get in touch with your questions. Or fill in an online application form for our latest children’s Spanish groups. Vamos a aprender!

That’s the enchantment of multicultural days to supplement traditional language learning in primary schools. So, what exactly are they, and why are they so powerful?

Engage and Inspire Beyond Traditional Classroom Learning

Picture donning a beret and munching on croissants while saying “Bonjour” with a flourish. Voilà! It’s a French-themed day, enabling your young students not just to learn about France in textbooks, but to experience its charm firsthand.

Dive Into Different Cultures, Languages, and Traditions

There’s more to multicultural days than getting a taste of foreign cuisines, (although that’s a major perk!). These fantastical days are interactive experiences. For example, a Spanish-themed day gives your pupils a captivating opportunity to shake maracas and try their hand at flamenco dancing, besides tucking in to a cheeky churro or several. It’s like a Spanish fiesta igniting your assembly hall! Olé!

Discover a Whole New Way of Thinking and Connecting with People 

If you’re still wondering, “Why should my school team up with a leading local language school for these epic adventures?” Well, think about this… Language is like a magical key that unlocks the door to a whole new world. Accordingly, imagine equipping students to chat with new friends from across the globe, not just in English, but in their own native language? Plus, they’ll gain a treasure chest of knowledge about different countries – from the food they eat to the games they play.

So, it’s time to rally the troops if your primary school hasn’t yet experienced the joys of multicultural days. They’re like mini celebrations sprinkled throughout the school year, where your children become global explorers, indulging their natural curiosity, and preparing to conquer new cultural frontiers.

At La Academia, we currently offer multicultural days in primary schools in Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian and Russian. Why not get in touch to give your intrepid pupils a unique insight into the country itself, as well as the language.

Here are six inspired reasons why collaborations of this nature are reimagining the delivery of modern foreign languages in primary schools:

1. Multicultural Days: A local language school can help primary schools to organise multicultural days, celebrating the rich diversity of languages and cultures. Children can immerse themselves in Chinese, Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese traditions, fostering an appreciation for different cultures.

2. Language Curriculum Teaching: With ongoing skills shortages in the teaching arena, a reputable local language school can step in and provide language curriculum lessons on an outsourced basis.

3. PPA Cover: Primary schools often face challenges in providing effective PPA (Planning, Preparation, and Assessment) cover for teachers. But some local language schools offer this service, ensuring that language lessons can continue seamlessly while regular teachers clear their necessary admin.

4. Consultancy Services: Non-specialist teachers might feel less confident in delivering language lessons when lacking in guidance and resources. But, collaboration with a leading language school empowers teachers to overcome these challenges, and improve the overall quality of language education.

5. After School & Lunchtime Clubs: Enlisting the services of a local language school can make it easier for primary schools to offer after school or lunchtime Spanish and French clubs. These extracurricular activities create an engaging environment where children can practice their language skills in a fun way.

6. Flamenco Workshops: An impressive language school might have access to cultural resources, such as flamenco workshops. These interactive sessions introduce children to the colours and vibrancy of music, dance, and the traditions of Spanish-speaking countries, adding a dynamic and immersive element that brings language to life for little learners.

With a new school year just around the corner, why not get in touch with us, at La Academia, to reinvigorate your language delivery with one of our native and fun teachers? With over 20 years of experience teaching in South Manchester, our qualified teachers bring innovative and engaging learning to your small students.

MFL became mandatory at primary school levels in 2014, for –

• KS1 – 5-7 year-olds
• KS2 – 7-11 year-olds

But surprisingly, Ofsted’s subject lead for languages Michael Wardle has witnessed a very mixed bag of results. He explained, “…given that many pupils should have been leaving Year 6 with four years’ worth of language study, it was disappointing to see how many schools were barely out of the starting block with their curriculum.” 

It’s a conundrum for many primary school teams, given the well-reported shortage of language teachers in the UK. But, finding an effective solution doesn’t have to be so challenging with trusted supplementary help at hand.

3 Brilliant Primary School MFL Boosts to Try 

Forming a meaningful partnership with a well-reputed local language school has the potential to resolve your MFL issues, and keep them resolved, with –

• Term time after school and lunch clubs to reinforce and amplify your school hours curriculum

• Multicultural days that provide engaging and memorable experiences to students, bringing language learning to life with national foods, music, singing and dancing

• PPA cover during periods of temporary skills shortages, e.g. when you’re recruiting to replace a teacher who has left, or the provision of specialist MFI support on a more semi-permanent basis

Michael Wardle has seen many instances of external supplementary help significantly boosting MFL standards in primary schools, concluding that, “… where a specialist teacher visits the school, class teachers practised what has been taught during the week in between languages lessons”.

At La Academia, our primary school MFL teachers are all experienced language teachers of KS1 and KS2 groups. So, if know you’ve still got work to do around MFL, get in touch to arrange a free lesson to try us for fit –

• Telephone – 0161 4911444
• Email – info@laacademia.co.uk

Sources 
Supporting Foreign Languages in your School: A guide for governors in primary schools, Association of School and College Leaders
Languages in outstanding primary schools, Michael Wardle, Ofsted

Schools continue to be more multi-cultural and diverse. As a result, progressive Trusts, headteachers and their teams are keen to embrace and leverage the melting pot of awe and wonder that comes with having a student base from many and various countries.

In addition, they’re recognising it’s no longer a big wide world their primary and junior students are growing up in.

So, they’re finding it enriching and expansive to use expert and credible KS1 and KS2 language support services for supplementary learning, such as –

• Special culture days that celebrate the Chinese language, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or even Russian.
• Regular Spanish and/or French clubs.
• After school and/or lunchtime Spanish and/or French Clubs.
• Flamenco classes and clubs.
  

But the benefits of KS1 and KS2 language support don’t begin and end with broadening the horizons of 5-11 years old students.

There’s More to External KS1 and KS2 Language Support than the Joy of Language Learning

Schools are enlisting external KS1 and KS2 language support to help them plug gaps caused by the ongoing shortage of language teaching talent on the market.

Teach First explains –

“In an increasingly globalised world, the ability to speak additional languages can provide a major career boost for school leavers. But…There is also currently a shortage of modern foreign languages (MFL) teachers in schools across England. New Spanish and French teachers are particularly needed…”

At La Academia, all our team members are fully qualified teachers who can provide supplementary KS1 and KS2 language support and cover PPA with our lessons.

We’re so convinced you’ll love our KS1 and KS2 language support services we’re offering schools the opportunity to try a MFL taster lesson on us for free!

Get in touch today to arrange your complimentary try-before-you-buy session at –
T – 0161 491 1444
E – info@laacademia.co.uk

Sources 

Help lead a revival in modern foreign language teaching, Teach First
https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/teach-languages

PS. One to tell parents of 7-11 year-olds about – KS2 CHILDREN’S SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS GROUP (YEAR 3 TO YEAR 6) EVERY TUESDAY AT 5.00-6.00PM AT THE LA ACADEMIA SCHOOL IN CHEADLE

Places available immediately!

“Tuition groups

After-school clubs

Supplementary schools

Mother-tongue classes

Saturday schools

Private tuition”

The National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education sums it up nicely.

It’s been on the rise and rise for the past 15 months, when home schooling began due to lockdown restrictions. Since then, supplementary education has become a hot topic. It continues to be debated as the 2020-21 school year draws to a close.

School has been in rather than out since March. But, there’s nationwide concern on multiple levels about the need for more supplementary education to help an entire generation catch up on lost ground.

An educational support package worth an estimated £400million has been announced by the government to help address this problem.

Leora Cruddas, the chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, stressed the benefits of supplementary education in support of the GSCE and A-Level lessons students receive in schools.

“Where tuition can have value is where it’s done alongside the curriculum. If the government is going to be spending money, I would suggest that those programmes start in the autumn and are strongly aligned with the work a school is doing.” 

Yet, it’s much more comprehensive and inclusive than just GSCE and A-Level booster lessons.

At La Academia, we’ve been specialist supplementary education providers long before recent circumstances made it headline news.

Dozens of existing and new students are already signing up with us for-

• Modern foreign language and other core subject tuition during the summer holidays.
• Reception age Saturday morning Spanish classes starting in September.
• Booster lessons, courses and private tuition in preparation for GCSE and A-Level re-sits in autumn.
  

Will your child be amongst them? 

Sources 

Supplementary Education, National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education

https://www.supplementaryeducation.org.uk/supplementary-education-the-nrc/

Government to fund private tutors for English schools, Sally Weale and Richard Adams, The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/jun/17/government-to-fund-private-tutors-for-english-schools

la Academia is very serious about teaching languages to children and we believe that the sooner you start, the better the result. Our new partner Je Parle Français have been delivering French in Primary Schools and Early Years for more than 20 years, matching la Academia’s 21 years of experience teaching Spanish.

Our team of KS1 and KS2 language teachers at la Academia deliver language tuition successfully at many Primary Schools in the North West, with glowing reports from OFSTED MFL inspections. With our specialist teachers children enjoy learning French and Spanish in an authentic and fun environment.  We offer:

• Language curriculum teaching at your school (full and half days), PPA Cover if needed
• Consultancy Service for non specialist teachers
• After school/ lunchtime Spanish and French Clubs.

**NEW** Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian, Russian and Magic Days (please ask for details)
Flamenco classes and clubs at your school.

We are all trained specialist teachers with ample experience of teaching languages in Primary Schools in the UK.  Case studies:

Holy Trinity School – Spanish
Moss Hey Primary – Spanish
Woodheys Primary School – Spanish

To book a free Spanish or French taster lesson at your Primary School, please contact us for more information. Our telephone number is 0161 491 1444

The DofE has now put forward a list of suggested languages – French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, German, Italian, Latin and Ancient Greek. They propose that primary schools should teach at least one of these languages to their KS2 pupils.  September 2014 is rushing fast towards us, and many primary schools will not have in-house skills to provide classes in MFL such as Spanish or French, let alone Latin, even though the move has been under discussion for some time.

La Academia can help primary schools in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the North West to provide language classes that will not only tick boxes in curriculum terms, but more importantly will fire enthusiasm and love for languages in their KS2 pupils.  La Academia already provides language classes to many North West primary schools, in curriculum time and in after school clubs.

Our tutors are native speakers, and we can supply KS2 lessons in French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and German.

If you’d like to submit your comments to the DofE on their proposals, go here for a consultation response form:

http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/consultations/a00216689/modern-foreign-languages
And if you’d like to assure your school of the best tutors in French, Spanish, Chinese, Italian and German, contact la Academia to set up a meeting and to learn more about our language tuition in primary schools.