Learning Languages with CONNETIX

Using a single coloured tile, list the days of the week in your new language in a horizontal line, just as a calendar displays them. Next, write each family member’s name on another tile and place them vertically along the left side. Choose a list of daily routines or chores that must be completed by each person and write this in the language you’re learning. For example, brush teeth, empty dishwasher and so on. Once each item has been completed, take another tile and place it on top of the chore so that you know it’s been completed. You might even like to write the word for ‘finished’ on the tile that’s placed on top.

Using a single coloured tile, list the days of the week in your new language in a horizontal line, just as a calendar displays them. Next, use a different coloured tile to write the events that will occur for the week in your new language. For example, dinner with Nanny and Grandad, swimming lessons and so on. Place each event in order under the correct day.

Write the translated words for ‘who, what, when, where, why and how’ on a separate tile, then place these on a whiteboard. As you begin to develop your general vocabulary, introduce basic questions such as ‘Where is the teddy?”, “What is green?’ using the question words to help build the sentence.



Write common phrases on a new tile in English and your chosen language, place them side by side so you can refer back to them. These might include ‘hello’, ‘good morning’ and ‘how was your day?’. At relevant times throughout the day, practice using your vocabulary phrases. Tick them off as you use them so you can continually practice them each day. You might also like to have a set time of the day where you practice them together, such as over breakfast or dinner so that everyone in the family can get involved.

Draw a picture of each body part on a new tile. Using the picture tiles, design your person or character. They could be human-like or fictional, like a monster. On another tile, write the word that matches each body part and place it underneath the corresponding part or label it, then draw arrows to match them.

Create a play scenario with your children. For example, set up a cafe with a set table, menus and a kitchen. Using your CONNETIX tiles as the menu, include items from your chosen culture or write the food items they love in the new language. When you begin the play scenario, ask them to practice saying the items they’d like in the language they’re learning. Then bring them cutlery, and as it’s laid on the table announce its name in the other language. Using your CONNETIX tiles to create a kitchen, have the chef prepare the food and then ask them to practice the names of foods as well as the utensils they’re using too. You could label the food in the kitchen by placing the word on a new tile next to the food it belongs to.



You could recreate this idea for any pretend play situation your child is engaged in when they’re playing with their CONNETIX.

Create your own visual display that shows the days of the weeks, the months of the year and the weather. For example, you could write the following in English and your other chosen language, or simply just use the new language you’re learning.



Yesterday was …



Today is …



Tomorrow will be …



The date is …



The season is …



The weather is …



Taking one coloured tile, write the above sentence starters. Using a different coloured tile for each of the following categories, write the 7 days of the week, numbers 1-31, months of the year, the 4 seasons and different weather vocabulary words such as sunny, raining, foggy etc. Keep each category in a pile of its own so that each day you can update your calendar over breakfast.

This activity is great because it not only exposes children to key vocabulary of another language but it also develops their literacy and numeracy skills.



Reading: identifying and reading words of a different language, including phonic sounds.



Writing: understanding sentence structures and grammar.



Maths: building vocabulary of days of the week and months of the year, including their order as well as number recognition and pronunciation of numerals.

Together, write down all the members of your family on a new tile. For example, Mum, Dad, brother, sister, Nan, Pa, cousin and so on. Research the equivalent word for each family member in your chosen language and write these on another tile. Create your own family tree to see how everyone is related. As you place each person on the tree make sure to practice saying the words in English and your other language.



This activity helps to build language while also exploring your own family history and connections.

Create a board game by using vocabulary words from any topic of your choice (animals, body parts, transport etc.). Write a new word or picture on each tile, lay them out in a board game, roll a dice, move that many spaces then read the word or state the picture that’s been shown in the language you’re learning.

Choose a topic you’d like to practice learning the vocabulary of. For example, shapes, foods or stationary.



Option 1: Draw or paste a picture of each item on a tile then write the matching word on another. Mix them all up and match them together.



Option 2: Write the vocabulary word on one tile. On another tile write a clue that matches the words. For example, one tile might say ‘triangle’ and the clue might say ‘3 sides’.