[eal-bilingual] Supporting home languages and bilingual strategies

The use of Clicker 5 for creating multilingual book is a growing area of interest.  The program has the facility to support text in almost any language and pictures in many formats can be included (photos, clip art, etc). Sounds can be recorded into the program so pupils can have the text read aloud in more than one language if that's helpful.  The books can also be printed to use away from the computer.

Existing books can be adapted into this format and curriculum topics can be presented in a multimedia, multilingual way.  It's also possible to create books for new arrivals to welcome them to the school and to help them to get to know their way around, find out about routines and to acquire some of the key vocabulary to help them settle in.

We provide training on this aspect of the program - and several other types of activity - in our "Clicker 5 for Bilingual Resources" training.  Details can be found at http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/training/days.htm.  There's one coming up in Sheffield on 12th June and others later in the year.

Kevin

Kevin Lynch
Training Manager
Crick Software Ltd
kevin.lynch at cricksoft.com

-----Original Message-----
From: eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk [mailto:eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Janet Storey
Sent: 15 May 2007 23:17
To: For practitioners involved in teaching pupils from ethnic and linguisticminorities
Subject: Re: [eal-bilingual] Supporting home languages and bilingual strategies

This is getting easier in smaller authorities because of increased numbers so schools see the benefit of children using their home language.

  Older Polish pupils have started to make talking books for the younger ones with Clicker 5, using both languages providing their own stories and illustrations.

  We also suggest that pupils take home Mantra bilingual books and read them with family in Polish and then the teacher reads the story to the whole class in English.

  Wikipedia is useful for older pupils as there is often a Polish version of information.  Some new pupils want to write in their home language but they have to be supported to put their ideas into English afterwards.  However this can only be permitted at the early settling in period.

  Commenius language assistants seem to be a great idea and are free but schools need to know the deadline for application so as not to miss out.

  Janet Storey

Bill Bolloten <billboll1 at mac.com> wrote:
  Can any subscriber provide me with a few suggestions for key guidance
on this area?

It can be any official guidance, websites or publications. I don't
need research, but things that are accessible and useful for
classroom practitioners.

Many thanks

Bill

Bill Bolloten
billboll1 at mac.com
Tel: 020 7033 9426
Mobile: 07790 031189
http://www.refugeeeducation.co.uk

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