Beginner
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+70 XP
Teacher-led from the board — pupils need no device

More Than One Language at Once

Explore how some children use multiple languages every day. Listen to day words in five languages, find countries with more than one official language, and discover that speaking two or three languages is normal for many people.

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    1 - One Day, More Than One Language ~5 mins

    Has anyone here ever answered a grandparent in one language and a friend in another? Hands up if that has ever happened to you, even once.

    Some children do that every single day. Today we meet that idea, and we look at three day words across five languages.

    By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

    • Notice three day words across five languages
    • Find European countries that use more than one official language
    • Talk about what it is like for children who use two or three languages in one day

    2 - Three Days, Five Languages ~9 mins

    Same day, five different coats! Each day on the board wears five language coats: English, Irish, French, German and Spanish.

    Key point

    Watch one day at a time. Notice what stays the same and what changes. After each day we pause: which two coats sounded closest?

    3 - Countries with More Than One Language ~10 mins

    Let's go country-hunting on the map of Europe on the board. Watch as we explore countries together and look for places that list more than one official language.

    Call out when you spot one. How many can our class find?

    4 - Into Your Copy ~6 mins

    COPYBOOK MOMENT

    Open your copy. Pick ONE language you liked the sound of most (Irish, French, German or Spanish).

    Copy Monday, Friday and Saturday in that language only. Then write one short English phrase saying why you chose it.

    Irish: Dé Luain · Dé hAoine · Dé Sathairn
    French: lundi · vendredi · samedi
    German: Montag · Freitag · Samstag
    Spanish: lunes · viernes · sábado

    5 - Which Language Do You Hear ~9 mins

    Key point

    Ears ready: no lucky guesses. Trust what you hear.

    Short audio clips will play. Listen twice before anyone answers.

    On the board you will see a numbered list of languages. After the second listen, hold up the number of fingers that matches the language you heard on screen.

    Pupil practice
    Module 1 · The Languages All Around Us
    Lesson 5 · More Than One Language at Once
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    This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
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