The languages department at Flint High School launched a Duolingo challenge at the beginning of the month to inspire students and staff to reach 500 points in a month.

Duolingo is a free, online programme that offers courses to teach reading, listening, and speaking skills effectively and efficiently. The students have been able to study any language they wished, and Welsh, French, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Italian, German, and Greek are some examples that have been chosen.

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Vic Smith, languages teacher, set up the school’s classroom on the programme and already over 250 students, staff, and parents have signed up and are learning a language of their choice. The school has awarded prizes for top scoring students and staff who have reached the 500 points level, including specially commissioned multilingual badges.

The school used the recent European Day of Languages to further promote language learning and celebrate the different languages spoken by staff and students.

Students enjoying the photobooth during language challenges at Flint High School.

A variety of language themed activities was organised for the day including a form time quiz, a photobooth, and 'adopt a language for a day' whereby staff chose a language to learn and used phrases in that language throughout the day with their classes.

Laura Evans, curriculum leader of languages, said: “We believe it is essential that our students see the importance of language learning and the benefits that come with it, such as building social and cultural connections, health and cognitive advantages, enjoyment, and developing skills which are highly valued by employers.

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“We have been amazed by the fantastic response to all the activities and we have definitely seen more enthusiasm towards language learning, the uptake to the Duolingo challenge reflects this. We also have good engagement with 'Languagenut' which is a website the students use to improve their French outside of lessons, and students receive regular certificates and prizes for this to celebrate their progress.

“It is really encouraging to see so many students, staff and even some parents participating and enjoying learning a new language. We look forward to the ongoing success of our drive to boost the uptake of language learning, and well done to everyone who has already started on their journey!”

In March, students in Years 8 and 9 will be going on a joint Welsh and French languages trip to Disneyland Paris where they will attend the St David’s Welsh Weekend.