Assemblies in which children showcase
some of the work they have been doing are a regular feature of the
primary school week. They offer an opportunity for everybody in the
class to be involved in some way. Performing in front of a friendly
audience offers a supportive environment in which children develop
their confidence in performing and in which children’s
contributions can be celebrated beyond their classroom.
Assemblies are also a way of recognising
children’s achievement officially, through the presentation of
stickers, certificates or other rewards.
The collective singing that is a feature of
most assemblies is another good opportunity for embedding languages
into the school day.
Questions
- If you are not the children’s class teacher, what
opportunities are there for your children to showcase their
language learning in front of the whole school?
- How could you collaborate with the music
specialist in your school to develop a bank of songs in other
languages?
- Is a language-related theme on the assembly calendar
for this school year, for example Mother Language Day,
International Friendships, Global Citizenship? Are there adults in
the school community who might help deliver an assembly on your
selected theme?