More than 150 pupils from ‘feeder’ primary schools to Kincorth Academy are getting a helping hand with learning French from the University of Aberdeen.
For the second year running, the University is hosting a two-day Primary 7 French Day on June 23-24 for pupils beginning their first year at Kincorth Academy this August.
The University for Children and Communities (UCC) has arranged the event with the University of Aberdeen’s widening access scheme aim 4 uni. The UCC is a partnership organisation which aims to encourage individuals to participate in education.
Pupils from Abbotswell, Loirston, Craighill, Charleston and Kirkhill primary schools will take part in activities designed to support their transition from learning French in primary school to secondary school.
Seema Miah, aim 4 uni Project Officer and event organiser, said: "The Primary 7 French Days are part of a range of events that the University of Aberdeen's aim 4 uni scheme supports for young people in schools and we are delighted to have these pupils attending.
"This is the second year that the event has been run at the University of Aberdeen and it is proving to be an increasingly popular choice of revision activity for many Cove and Kincorth primary. We are really pleased at the number of pupils who will be attending this event. Last year it was a one-day event with 40 pupils but this year there will be 160 pupils attending from four different schools.
"We have had strong support from the University for Children and Communities, the primary schools, teachers and staff involved and look forward to being able to offer an this event to more schools next year.”
Activities will include song practice, bingo, storytelling and close-reading, all of which will be done in French. The aim is to build on the French they will have already been taught in schools, for example, numbers, and basic greetings.
The teaching staff includes native speakers of French, as well as students studying for a degree in French at the University of Aberdeen.
While the main aim of the event is to improve confidence and ability in the study of the language, they will also gain the opportunity to experience a taste of the university environment, as the events will take place at King’s College Campus.
Alison Watt, Schools Development Officer with the UCC, who co-ordinated the event with the schools, said: “The language labs coincide with Kincorth Academy’s transitional programme and are a fantastic addition to a comprehensive programme”.
"We have had strong support from the University for Children and Communities, the primary schools, teachers and staff involved and look forward to being able to offer an this event to more schools next year.
Pupils will be awarded certificates at the end of the event, as thanks for taking part in the event.