I wanted to write today about the re-launch of this programme. The website has been updated so that you can use it on an iPad or mobile phone.
There are also some new functions to make the site more effective:
Our digital and technological worlds are changing so quickly, that these kinds of developments are logical and very welcome. If your school hasn't signed up yet, I encourage you to consider it.
In my previous post, I sang the praises of Arsene Wenger, coach at Arsenal Football Club.
When I was searching for a photograph of Arsene Wenger, I came across lots of very expressive photos of him.
It occurred to me that they would make a fun classroom activity!
Start by asking students if they recognise the man in the photos. Tell students about this man. His achievements:
He was born in a village near Strasbourg, France.
He can speak 3 languages (English, French and German) fluently. He can also speak Spanish and Italian and a bit of Japanese.
When he was 29 years old, he did a 3-week English course in Cambridge.
He works in London.
He is the manager of an important football team there.
He has been manager at that club since 1996.
Honours: English Premier League: 2004, 2002, 1998; FA Cup: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1998; FA Community Shield: 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998; French Ligue 1: 1988; French Cup: 1991; Japanese Super Cup: 1996
The players at Arsenal now can speak 12 different languages. Next, in pairs or small groups, students discuss what language they think Arsene Wenger is speaking or thinking in in each of the photos. They imagine that there is a speech or thought bubble coming out of Wenger's mouth. They draw a bubble for each picture and write what he is saying or thinking in each one.
2 pairs or groups join to work together. They take it in turn to show their thought or speech bubbles to the other pair/group. They try and match each bubble to the picture it was written for.
Sometimes, a person can inspire for so many reasons.
Who is this person?
He was born in a village near Strasbourg, France.
He can speak 3 languages (English, French and German) fluently. He can also speak Spanish and Italian and a bit of Japanese.
When he was 29 years old, he did a 3-week English course in Cambridge.
He works in London.
He is the manager of an important football team there.
He has been manager at that club since 1996.
Honours: English Premier League: 2004, 2002, 1998; FA Cup: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1998; FA Community Shield: 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998; French Ligue 1: 1988; French Cup: 1991; Japanese Super Cup: 1996
The players there now can speak 12 different languages.
There is a great video of Arsene Wenger describing how he learnt languages, why languages are important for the players who come to play at Arsenal.
The anecdote about his experience on arriving in Japan to coach a team there is very amusing and the reasons he gives for why learning the language of a country is so important.
(And what he says about why Japanese people keep listening till the end of the sentence is fascinating! Maybe we should change the word order of English sentences and communication would get better!!!!)
Arsenal, along with other Football Clubs, have been participating in a scheme called 'Double Club Languages'.
Young people come to the Double Club to learn lots of subjects, including languages.
For more information, you can check out the link to the Scheme here:
People like Arsene Wenger are perfect examples for illustrating just how important languages can be in our lives. He inspires his players not only to play football, but also to learn languages, to help young people in London to learn other languages and to see the importance of learning about other people and cultures.
Well done Arsene! Well done Arsenal and the Double Club!
