Children’s language school creates online classrooms to enable pupils to keep learning Spanish

Schools may have closed but the learning doesn’t have to stop for local children in the Sevenoaks area. A language club has re-located all its lessons online so that children in the area can carry on with their bilingual learning during the coronavirus crisis.

The weekly extracurricular classes are usually held, in small groups, at lunchtimes or after-school in local primary schools and other locations, following the awarding La Jolie Ronde methodology of language teaching.

But when these classes in Sevenoaks and Otford had to stop because of the coronavirus lock down, Belén Lawther, who runs the Colorines Spanish School, and her team of enthusiastic tutors; Esther, Aly and Estefanía, came up with new ways to stay in contact with their pupils who are aged 3-11.

Belén said: “It is a very unsettling time as we all come to terms with the impact of the Coronavirus. As schools close their doors and more and more families self-isolate, I was determined to remain positive. I wanted to help, both children and parents, to keep a sense of normality so I have continued to provide their weekly Spanish classes via online sessions.

“The online classes are delivered by live video links and, just as with our normal weekly classes, the emphasis is on fun positive language learning introduced through entertaining and enjoyable games, songs, role-plays and activities based on a variety of topics to suit each age group.

“Once a child signs up to the programme they each receive their own A4 colourful pupil activity book that allows them to follow the programme and continue learning. The sessions also are a fantastic way of enabling children to re-connect and keep in touch with their friends, which again I felt was extremely important to help with children’s well-being through these tough times.”

La Jolie Ronde has been successfully offering language classes to nursery and primary aged children for more than 37 years.

Belén added: “So it’s business as usual but instead of coming to class, children learn via a laptop, tablet or even a mobile phone in their homes. My aim is, and has always been, for learning to be a thoroughly positive experience so that by the time a child begins secondary school their foundation of language learning will provide them with a significant head start. The response and feedback to my online classes, from both parents and pupils, has been amazing with many other family members joining in the fun too.”

For more information contact Belén on: