1. DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGY FOR VERY EARLY LANGUAGE LEARNING (VELL) Lifelong Learning Programme: Transversal Programme, Key Activity 2: Languages

2. © Der Paritätische NRW 2 Project Aims We are convinced that the parents’ role in the process of children’s language acquisition at this age is indispensable. Therefore, the methodology is going to consider the needs of the parents as well.

3. © Der Paritätische NRW 3 Who we are Paritätisches Bildungswerk Landesverband Nordrhein- Westfalen e.V. (PBW), Wuppertal, Germany The PBW is a non-profit organisation that develops and provides general and vocational further education programmes for the social sector. It is a German registered society that closely cooperates with its umbrella organisation, the PARITÄTISCHE Wohlfahrtsverband Landesverband Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V., in both theoretical and practical matters. Among other things, we offer courses in social management, job-related counselling and therapy courses, special programmes for educators etc. These courses mostly aim at employees or volunteers who work in different areas such as social work, youth care or adult education. Since 1997, the PBW plays an active role in Europe and supports the process of European integration by participating in several EU- projects. Kordula Gützlag, PBW LV NRW Bildungsreferentin (Education Consultant)‏

4. © Der Paritätische NRW 4 Our partners Franco-German Kindergarten / Family Centre in Wuppertal, Germany The Franco-German Kindergarten Wuppertal e.V. at present has 43 children in a Kindergarten group and a day care centre group. The children are taken care off each day from 7.30am to 5.00pm. The Franco-German Kindergarten Wuppertal e.V. was founded in 1990 as a French playgroup for toddlers. That was when the idea came up to found a Franco-German institution in Wuppertal to promote francophone culture and the French language. Françoise Ruel, Fr.-Ger. Kindergarten Wuppertal Assistant Director

5. © Der Paritätische NRW 5 Since 1 September 2009, the Franco-German Kindergarten is a family centre that offers: childcare for children aged 2-6 weekend services, fresh food every day, searchable directory of babysitters organising and carrying out birthday parties for children weekly parent-child groups for 2-year-old and their parents (“Mum, dad and me”) education and family counselling information on therapies, referral to professional helpdesks monthly consultation hours for educational matters Parents’ Café for parents and other interested participants searchable directory of child-minders

6. © Der Paritätische NRW 6 Our partners University of Wuppertal University Professor for Education focussing on Early Childhood and Primary School Education Prof. Dr. Charlotte Röhner, University of Wuppertal

7. © Der Paritätische NRW 7 Project Products An entire product line was developed within the project: a teacher’s resource book, a video, a parent’s guide and a workbook.

8. © Der Paritätische NRW 8 Parent’s guide The parent’s guide will provide parents with tips for further practice in the areas introduced by the curriculum. The suggested activities will be based on home environment and the parent- child relationship.

9. © Der Paritätische NRW 9 Target group Even though the guide mostly refers to mothers, it also addresses fathers, grandparents, neighbours and other people playing with the child.

10. © Der Paritätische NRW 10 Creating the Parent’s Guide During a project meeting in Pardubice, we jointly collected topics and activities for a Parent’s Guide and structured its content respectively. We aimed to strengthen parent-child interaction. We want to support parents in using the new language also in situations within a home environment. With the Parent’s Guide, we want to offer incentives and support to parents.

11. © Der Paritätische NRW 11 Example

12. © Der Paritätische NRW 12 Let’s try it together Je suis là et tu es là tu es là et tu es là et tu es là, nous sommes tous là! Amélie es-tu là? Elias es-tu là? Hanna es-tu là? tra la la la la!

13. © Der Paritätische NRW 13 What we want! The Parent’s Guide is not supposed to be a traditional school book! It is rather about providing a hands-on approach to language. Among other things, we want to emphasise the importance of a holistic and integrated approach to learning. Educators are required to train parents how to use the Parent’s Guide.

14. © Der Paritätische NRW 14 What we want! Parents should find time and space to practice with their children. Parents should be motivated and have fun learning the language themselves. The most important factors are enthusiasm and interest. This will help to ignite the spark in your child!

15. © Der Paritätische NRW 15 Our experiences with the Parent’s Guide show that its content is not always easy to apply because of widely different language skills that may lead to insecurity. Experience from Franco- German Kindergarten

16. © Der Paritätische NRW 16 Experience At first we chose the most common topics, eg. Welcome, Body, Animals,... I planned lessons containing the activities connected with the topics. I brought in ideas connected with the French environment (songs, chants, books, etc.)‏ I focused on holistic, multisensory approach The task was to develop 20 worksheets.

17. © Der Paritätische NRW 17 Experience I used the worksheets in my classes with toddlers and then I modified them according to the real experience Sometimes my expectations of the children's abilities were too high, I had to simplify, change the aims I cooperated with Prof. Roehner on the lesson preparation, she provided her feedback on the content of lessons

18. © Der Paritätische NRW 18 People generally fear of using French, it is considered a difficult language. Therefore I had to work with parents a lot, provide them assurance that they can use the language easily. Teachers can and should use their imagination in classes, work on the ideas provided Experience

19. © Der Paritätische NRW 19 Experiences But my interest in the others and their work was stronger. It was so strong that it gave me motivation and pushed me forward to learn English. We have essential things in common: we make an effort to support children and their parents – and we do it with enthusiasm. We worked together and created something! I can transfer the experience to my own work and use it to broaden my horizon.

20. © Der Paritätische NRW 20 Discussion Do you have any questions? Thank you very much for your attention!