Press Release
Date: Friday 21 April 2005 (NR/08/05)
LANGUAGES ARE CHILD’S PLAY
Local curriculum body CCEA has launched a new DVD showcasing the wonderful work being done in local primary schools to promote 2 nd language learning at an early age. The DVD draws upon work developed through the Primary Languages Pilot Projects conducted in collaboration with the ELBs in 2003-2004. The Languages are Child’s Play DVD will be distributed to schools later this month.
Speaking today at the launch of the DVD in CCEA’s Conference Hall, CCEA Chief Executive Gavin Boyd commented:
"In many countries throughout Europe children begin learning a second language when they start school. Research indicates that there is a specific area of the brain related to language learning and if we don't use it by the age of eleven, we start to lose it.
As the only UK region without a policy for early language provision, it is important that we start to address this issue now so that Northern Ireland's primary school children are given the same opportunities as children elsewhere in the UK.
We hope that the increased flexibility provided by the revised Northern Ireland Curriculum will encourage more of our teachers to think about developing early language learning through play, song, story telling and rhyme. Our teachers need support and encouragement and this is exactly what the DVD aims to do.
CCEA will continue to work with the Education and Library Boards to advise the Department of Education on a strategy for early language learning. The longer term aspiration is that all children in Northern Ireland will have access to language learning in our primary schools by 2013."
Anyone wishing to find out more about Early Language Learning or the Primary Languages Project should contact Marian Patterson on 02890 261200 Extension 2616
Primary Languages Project
In collaboration with the ELBs, CCEA has produced the Languages are Child’s Play DVD that highlights the different aspects of Early Language Learning and how they can be embedded into the Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum.
The DVD illustrates best practice and supports the introduction of a language programme into the primary curriculum.
CCEA and the Education and Library Boards continue to support the Primary Schools involved in implementing the programme.
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
