EducationCity, leading provider of e-learning resources for primary schools, has launched PlayLive French, an interactive quiz for Key Stage 2 in which pupils test their knowledge of French language and culture against others within a timed, competitive environment. From September 2014, foreign languages will be compulsory at Key Stage 2 and PlayLive French is designed to support pupils and teachers through this change.
Available to existing EducationCity subscribers or as a free trial for non-subscribers, PlayLive French provides practice of spoken and written language in a fun, engaging way. The questions are all presented in French with audio, text and visual clues to help children answer.
Topics range from leisure and animals to travel, fashion and people and pupils can compete against the computer, their classmates, across the school or even against pupils in other schools. They can play strategically by using their double-score, skip and 50/50 wildcards and there are different answering strategies, which include ‘fastest finger’ and ‘multiple choice’, which adds a competitive element.
The software is designed for Key Stage 2 and difficulty levels are broken into Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 with more advanced questions asked the higher you go.
Robin Ball, Head of Content and Curriculum at EducationCity, said: “We welcome the DfE directive to make foreign languages mandatory at Key Stage 2 – it is an ideal age for children to start learning and regular sessions will help them develop and learn in a more structured way. PlayLive French is played against the clock so it helps develop quick recall, speed of response and encourages pupils to listen more carefully to the questions posed.
“Teachers do not have to speak French to set tasks and the substantial question banks mean that pupils can visit the resource many times and have a unique experience.”
The whole resource is in French and spoken by native French speakers so pupils are exposed to accurate pronunciation and are able to build their vocabulary with exposure to a whole range of questions.
EducationCity will soon be announcing PlayLive Spanish to complement the Spanish module and an English language version for pupils with English as a second language.