Course: Use of first and other languages

Topic outline

Use of first and other languages - introduction

In the short video above, Dr Sarah Coles details the reasons why it's a good idea to draw on the skills children have in all their languages to support their access to the curriculum.
The following sections explain how to get started if you want to introduce the use of first and other languages into your classroom, give some low-cost, simple tips to get you going and provide resources you can use to share work in this area with colleagues in schools.
Getting started

Claire Barker discusses the key things you should establish before planning for the use of first language in the classroom.
- EMTAS e-learning: First Language Assessment URL
  Free to Hampshire maintained schools - contact EMTAS for a login.
- EMTAS Blog: How can I assess first language skills without speaking the language? URL
Planning

Claire Barker explores ways to make multilingual approaches work effectively in your classroom.
- EAL MESHGuide: Using first language to support pupils' learning and social well-being URL
Top 5 strategies

In this video, Astrid Dinneen shares simple, quick, low-cost tips you can use to encourage the use of first language as a tool for learning.
- Great Idea: Translanguaging (The Bell Foundation) URL
- Use of IT - EMTAS free Guidance Library URL
How to disseminate this
In this section you will find a downloadable summary of key principles along with other resources to support dissemination to colleagues.
- Aide-memoire File
- Videoscribe URL
- Videoscribe support pack File
  Complements the EMTAS L1 Videoscribe. Use to explore how to use L1 as a tool for learning in your school and wider community.
- EMTAS training card: Writing in first language as a strategy for learning File
Further reading
- EMTAS Blog: articles relating to first language URL
Useful links and external resources
Not available
Mantra Lingua's Kitabu Multilingual Library
Not available
Translanguaging
Not available