One of the outcomes in the Cert 3 under Support Communication Development is that educators should value the child's linguistic heritage and encourage the use and acquisition of home languages.
This is a fancy way of saying that a good way of helping children to feel belonging and feel strong in their own identity and also a good way of helping children to acquire language is to encourage children to speak in their home language. It is also important to promote other languages to children who only speak English.
Kate's home language is Greek and Kate has been learning greetings in Greek and counting in Greek from her mum Kathy.
Lynda and Kate made up a song to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?" to teach the children at HEY some Greek.
Here is a video of it:
The song is done in Call and Response style where the teacher sings a line and then the children repeat the line. This is a great way for both Kate and the children to remember the words, think about the rhymes and learn Greek at the same time!
Here are the lyrics and translation:
Yia Sou Yia Sou - hello!
Yia Sou Yia Sou
Pos se lene? - what's your name?
Pos se lene?
Yia Sou Yia Sou
Yia Sou Yia Sou
Me lene Kate - my name is Kate
Me lene Kate
Yia Sas Yia Sas - goodbye everyone
Yia Sas Yia Sas
Ef-har-isto - thank you
Ef-har-isto
Yia Sas Yia Sas
Yia Sas Yia Sas
Bravo - well done!
Bravo
TASK: Practice the Greek Song and teach it to the children when you are ready. When you learn some more Greek phrases, maybe you could make up some new verses and add to the song. Think about which words rhyme like "Ef-haristo" and "Bravo" both have an "o" sound at the end.
Comments