Duration
30 minutes - if it works well with your child, take as long as you want and repeat as often as you wish Age recommendation 0-6; 6-10 Key words writing, cooking, word recognition, content and language integrated learning CLIL* Languages of the original source English. But this activity can be used in any language Materials needed food, cooking utensils, paper     | Aim of the activity The aims of this activity are to learn words and expressions related to cooking and food but also to learn about culture connected to cooking. Another important aim of the activity is that the child has a, complete language and cultural experience, where many senses are activated; touching, listening, seeing, smelling, tasting… Preparation for the activity None – the activities are designed to inspire within the everyday activities in the family languages. Procedure Start to plan a dinner, with the children, in your family languages. Parents and children can write the menu together. Then prepare a shopping list, do the shopping and cook together with the children talking with the children about all the activities, all in one language. The learning aspect is automatically integrated in the act of cooking and the conversations between children and parent, in the naming of products and cooking equipment and in the work. At the same time the language dimension is deeply involved not only with the products and utensils, which the child uses and prepares but also with experiences that involve the senses (touching, smelling, tasting, listening, seeing) as the simultaneous learning process of cooking takes place. Language is embedded in and a part of a multi-sensation experience, which is ideal when it comes to remembering what the children have learnt. Tip | The activity can be incorporated in everyday life and everyday cooking. Also the activity can be connected to the activity “Shopping lists - writing in the family language” (see A24) to establish a complete chain of activities related to food. Beginning with writing the shopping list, following a recipe, preparation of the ingredients and finishing with enjoying a meal together. You could then write to the family (card, email, tweet…) about the activity. Significant benefit of the activity Cooking is a wonderful and creative way to bring the child into contact with the family language and culture. It provides an opportunity to learn vocabulary and grammar and use, connected to ingredients and kitchen utensils in a playfully and practical way. (Tomasello 2003) Source of the activity Multilingual Families Project Idea and inspiration: Multilingualliving.com. Learning a Second Language with Dad – 10 Minutes at a Tomasello M., 2003, Constructing a language. A usage-based theory of language acquisition, Cambridge Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Tip | Find in the blog Multilingual living some more tips to support children learning another language, 10 minutes at a time. |
   |
The project ‘Multilingual Families: Supporting multilingual families A linguistic treasure for Europe’ has been funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Project number: 531085-LLP-1-2012-1-PL-KA2-KA2MP
Project duration: 2013-2015