Breakfast
Italian in Gosforth
Gosforth High School
Knightsbridge
Great North Road
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE3 2JH
Person in charge of project: Sue Balmer, Head of Language College Development
The
project is run by Gosforth High School – a Language College – working
with three middle schools.
Approximately thirty students from each of the three middle schools learn Italian after having breakfast. Classes are held twice a week and are taught by well-qualified and experienced staff. They have breakfast at 07.45 and then lessons from 08.10–08.45, i.e. before a normal school day. All students are in Year 6.
The objective of the project is to encourage students to start a second language. The intention is that they will take GCSE Italian earlier than normal.
Judges' comments
This project has provided an imaginative solution to the question of how to organise early language learning, and is another example of a Language College making an impact on its community beyond the school gates. It taps into the enthusiasm of younger pupils who are highly motivated to learn a new language at an unusual time of the day. The project has been highly successful in introducing a lesser-taught language and in making links with the large Italian community in Gosforth.
