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<h1 class="" style="margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 10px;font-size:3em;font-weight:normal;font-family:Georgia,Utopia,Palatino,'Palatino Linotype',serif">Breaking down language barriers</h1><div class="" style="margin:0px;padding:0px">
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Tuesday, October 01, 2013</div><a target="" class="" href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/people/Leicester%20Mercury/profile.html" title="Profile image for Leicester Mercury" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);text-decoration:none;float:left;margin-right:5px;width:25px;height:25px"><img class="" src="http://i.thelocalpeople.co.uk/275770/binaries/Leicester_Mercury_Small.jpg" width="50" height="50" alt="Profile image for Leicester Mercury" style="border: 1px solid rgb(217, 217, 217); display: block; width: 25px; height: 25px;"></a><p class="" style="margin:5px 15px 0px 0px;padding:0px;font-size:1.3em;float:left">
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<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">Pupils as young as four are getting the chance to learn new languages at Uplands Infants.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">With many different cultures at the school, staff believe it's never too early to get started.</p>
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<img class="" src="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/275788/Article/images/19868141/5341945.jpg" alt="culture club:  Ami Shirley with   artwork created by   pupils" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"></div>
<p class="" style="margin:0px;padding:0px 20px 10px">culture club: Ami Shirley with artwork created by pupils</p></li></ol></div></div><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">For the past week, children have been immersed in all things French.</p>
<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">Not only have they taken part in a simulated flight to Paris, they have also been learning songs in French and enjoying some of its culinary delights, as well as building their versions of the Eiffel Tower.</p>
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Head teacher Michelle Orton said: "It's not just about learning a new language, it's also about opening their minds to other cultures they might not yet have come across and inspiring them.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">
"They need to know there's a big wide world out there and exploring it, even from the classroom, can be fun. It's about learning through play and it's been hugely successful."</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">
With the coalition Government shifting its focus to languages in recent months, there's no doubt that getting a head start at such a young age, will be a bonus.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">Mrs Orton said: "It's astounding how quickly they pick it up. At this age, they're like little sponges and it's helped that we have a couple of parents who speak fluent french. They have been popping in and helping, which has been fantastic."</p>
<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">Youngsters have been learning the French for the days of the week, colours, numbers and animals.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"Having this as a week-long activity really helps to create some excitement around it, too," says Mrs Orton.</p>
<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"There's been an amazing buzz about the school.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"But it won't just stop now the week's up. We'll build it into our lessons and hope to embrace other languages soon.</p>
<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"We have dozens of languages spoken in this school. That's why teaching our children to be appreciative and curious about other cultures is vital."</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">
Ami Shirley, head of year one, has helped lead the French week.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">She said: "Uplands Infants is an inclusive school and this is just part of the work that goes to show that.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">
"We make huge efforts to celebrate all cultures, from a traditional Christmas nativity, to Diwali.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"Even our PE lessons over the past week have included learning the different body parts in French. It certainly made it a bit different.</p>
<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"The flight simulation was also lots of fun and it was great to see the children suspending their disbelief to go on an exciting journey.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"This week has been cross-curricular, with children learning about famous French artists and the story behind the Eiffel Tower as part of history.</p>
<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">"Counting numbers in French and English helps to remind them of their sequences and eating new food might just mean they're happier to try new dishes in the future.</p><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px">
"We hope that we've opened their minds to new experiences."</p></div></div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Trebuchet MS',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10px"><br><br>Read more: <a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Breaking-language-barriers/story-19868141-detail/story.html#ixzz2gb0sJhK6" style="color:rgb(0,51,153);text-decoration:none">http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Breaking-language-barriers/story-19868141-detail/story.html#ixzz2gb0sJhK6</a> <br>
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