Teaching Ideas

Ideas for your language classroom

Practical how-to guides, no-prep activities and teaching tips for primary language classrooms, across all eight languages.

Indonesian · Free game

Ingat! A free Indonesian animals memory game (printable flashcards)

A no-prep memory game that gets every student saying Indonesian animal names as they hunt for pairs, plus free printable flashcards to download.

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French · Culture

From Bonjour to Bastille Day: a French culture guide for your classroom

Croissants, the Eiffel Tower, music, festivals and games. Hands-on ways to bring the warmth of French culture to life for your students, whatever your own level.

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Spanish · Free game

Simón Dice: a free Spanish body parts game (printable poster included)

Simon says, in Spanish. A no-prep, high-energy game that teaches body parts through movement, plus a free printable El Cuerpo poster to download.

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French · Free game

Attrape! A free French fruits game (printable flashcards included)

A complete no-prep game that gets every student speaking French fruit words, plus free printable flashcards to download and use today.

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Japanese · Free game

Nan Iro? A free Japanese colours game (printable flashcards included)

A complete no-prep game that gets every student speaking Japanese colours, plus free printable flashcards to download and use today.

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Italian · Free game

Al Mercato: a free Italian food game (printable flashcards included)

A complete no-prep game that gets every student speaking Italian food words, plus free printable flashcards to download and use today.

Get the free game
Italian · Culture

Pizza, masks and masterpieces: teaching Italian culture in class

Food, art, music, Carnevale masks and games. Hands-on ways to bring the warmth of Italian culture to life for your students, whatever your own level.

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Mandarin · Free game

A free 15-minute Mandarin number game (with printable flashcards)

A complete no-prep game that gets every student speaking Mandarin, plus free printable number flashcards to download and use today.

Get the free game
Indonesian · Culture

Batik, shadow puppets and satay: a guide to Indonesian culture

Batik, shadow puppets, music, food and games from our nearest Asian neighbour. Hands-on ways to bring Indonesian culture to life, whatever your own level.

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Spanish · Culture

Bring the Spanish-speaking world into your primary classroom

Music, festivals, food, art and games from across the Spanish-speaking world. Hands-on ways to bring Spanish culture to life, whatever your own level of Spanish.

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Japanese · Culture

7 hands-on ways to explore Japanese culture with your class

Origami, festivals, food and games. Hands-on ways to bring Japanese culture to life for your students, whatever your own level of Japanese.

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Teaching Ideas · Myth-buster

5 myths about teaching languages in primary school

You have to be fluent. Kids are too young. There is no time. We bust five common myths that stop teachers, and show why any classroom can teach a language.

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Teaching Ideas · Guide

Which language should you teach in primary school?

Not sure which language to choose? A quick, honest look at what makes each of the eight languages a great fit for a primary classroom, and how to decide.

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French · Activities

10 fun ways to teach French in primary school

Ten games, songs and activities primary students love, from a Bonjour routine to a French cafe roleplay. Practical ideas you can use straight away.

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Spanish · Q&A

Teaching Spanish in primary school: your questions answered

Do you need to be fluent? What should you teach first? The questions primary teachers ask most about teaching Spanish, answered simply.

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Teaching Ideas · Guide

Fun ways to teach languages in primary school

Games, songs, movement and no-prep activities that bring language lessons to life, and work in any language classroom. Practical ideas you can use straight away.

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Italian · Guide

Teaching Italian in primary school: a beginner's guide

Teaching Italian for the first time? A practical guide to getting started, what to teach first, and how to find Italian resources that work, even if you are not fluent.

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Mandarin · Guide

Teaching Mandarin in primary school: a beginner's guide

Mandarin feels intimidating, but it does not have to be. A practical guide to starting with pinyin and tones, and finding resources that work, even if you are not fluent.

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Greek · Guide

Teaching Greek in primary school: a beginner's guide

Worried about the Greek alphabet? A practical guide to getting started, what to teach first, and how to find Greek resources that work, even if you are not fluent.

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German · Guide

Teaching German in primary school: a beginner's guide

Teaching German for the first time? A practical guide to getting started, what to teach first, and how to find German resources that work, even if you are not fluent.

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Spanish · Guide

How to teach Spanish in primary school: a beginner's guide

Teaching Spanish for the first time? A practical guide to getting started, what to teach first, and how to find Spanish resources that work, even if you are not fluent.

Read the guide
Indonesian · Guide

Why Indonesian is one of the easiest languages to teach in primary school

No new alphabet, no verb tenses, and a close neighbour to learn about. Here is why Indonesian is such an achievable choice for primary classrooms, and how to start.

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French · Guide

Teaching French in primary school: a simple lesson plan guide

Planning French lessons from scratch is a lot of work. Here is a simple, repeatable lesson structure you can use for primary French, whatever your experience level.

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French · Guide

French resources for the primary classroom: where to start

Choosing French resources for your class? A practical guide to finding print-and-go worksheets, lessons and programs that work, even if you are not a specialist teacher.

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Japanese · How-to guide

How to teach hiragana to primary students

A whole new writing system can look like a mountain. Here is a calm, practical way to introduce hiragana to primary students, even if you are teaching Japanese without being fluent yourself.

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Looking for ready-made resources?

Browse print-and-go and digital resources for your classroom, across eight languages.