A local teacher is opening up the world of modern languages to young children with the launch of a new language venture in South Durham, covering Bishop Auckland, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Wolsingham and surrounding areas. Joanna Bruce, who lives in Stanley with her partner and 2 children, has recently launched her own children’s languages business, in a bid to share her passion and engage more youngsters in the joy of learning foreign languages. Lingotot is a multi-award winning languages program being delivered to over 12,000 children across the UK each week.
They run fun, interactive classes through community groups, nurseries and schools, teaching languages such as French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, ESL and even Arabic! Joanna studied Modern Foreign Languages at Bradford University and spent time living abroad in Germany, France and Holland, before returning to the UK to complete her PGCE in French and German and embark on a successful teaching career. Joanna says: “I’ve always loved languages, from a very young age. When we were on camping holidays in France, my older sister would teach me words in French so I could order for myself and I thought it was amazing!
I have been increasingly disheartened by the declining uptake in languages among our youngsters and think it’s important that we try to inject interest and enthusiasm at a younger age.” She continues: “Lingotot is the perfect platform to introduce languages to young children and I am really excited about bringing it to South Durham. To play a part in helping young children and their families discover the joy of language learning is wonderful and I can’t wait to get started!” Joanna will be delivering French, German and Spanish classes within community groups, nursery settings and primary schools – both through MFL PPA teaching and as after school clubs. If you would like to see what all the fuss is about, join Joanna at her launch party at the Four Clocks Centre, Bishop Auckland at 11.00 on Tuesday 26th September. There will be a free taster class in French as well as games, prizes and more. Please go to lingotot.com/classes/south-durham to book your FREE place.
