语言学习新方法

Queen’s University is asking colleges and workplaces to come up with a fun way of celebrating language learning on 26 September 2007, the annual European Day of Languages (EDL).

EDL is a Council of Europe initiative held annually on 26 September in 47 countries across Europe to celebrate language and cultural diversity. The Northern Ireland Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (NICILT), which is based in the Graduate School of Education at Queen’s, is the local co-ordinator of the day.

To help celebrate the day, free EDL resource packs are available through the CILT website www.cilt.org.uk/edl/order.htm. The packs contain two posters featuring EDL characters and four sheets of stickers featuring ‘hello’ in over 30 languages. These resources are also available for purchase as class sets (20 sticker sheets, 10 posters), along with badges and t-shirts with five different designs, which can be offered as prizes or worn to mark the day.

The NICILT website www.qub.ac.uk//schools/SchoolofEducation (Click on quick link to NICILT and then on European Day of Languages) also has a number of ideas on how to celebrate the day, such as organising a speed language learning competition, designing and writing a holiday postcard in a different language or even learning a traditional sport or dance from another country.

NICILT Executive Officer at Queen’s Wendy Phipps said: “EDL is a wonderful opportunity to explore the European community. We would ask colleges to make a strong effort this year. We have already heard from a number of schools planning to do something special. Ballymacrickett Primary School in Glenavy, County Antrim, is planning a special assembly and will also be mounting a specially crafted display. Shimna Integrated school in Newcastle plans to include salsa dancing as one of several fun activities on 26 September.

“In St Patrick’s College, Dungiven the school assembly will feature pupils communicating in French, Irish, Polish, Spanish and sign language, while canteen staff will also join in the fun by providing foods from all over the world for the pupils to try at lunchtime. A competition will also be held to see which member of staff makes the best effort to communicate in another language throughout the day.  Pupils will decide who gets the prize.”

Pam McIntyre from the Language Centre at Queen’s added: “The Language Centre is inviting staff and students to participate in events over three days to sample a flavour of European culture and language. We have a series of events including   ‘A taste of Italy’ where people can come along and discover La Dolce Vita to  ‘European Travel’ which will help guests with hints, about where to go and how to get there.

The European Day of Languages also highlights the advantages of languages at work.  The website www.languageswork.org.uk shows people using languages at work. This day encourages people of all ages to start learning a new language.

More information on how to mark the European Day of Languages 2007 is available at the NICILT website www.qub.ac.uk/edu/nicilt  The CILT website: www.cilt.org.uk/edl  also contains further information. You can also contact the NICILT on (028) 9097 5954.