Little language pupils learn online
A language school which teaches hundreds of East Kilbride kids has seen a huge spike in demand since going digital during the coronavirus outbreak.
Louise Lenihan’s Kidslingo Glasgow South team teaches Spanish and French to over 600 little linguists across East Kilbride and Glasgow each week.
The St Leonards mum-of-two, who won a national teaching award in 2018, teaches fun classes in venues, nurseries and primary schools which incorporate a clever mix of music, games, Makaton, role play, drama and storytelling.
But with government lockdown announced across the country, her thriving business was put at risk.
Committed to continuing the language-learning adventures, it took just 48 hours for Louise to devise a new way for her language classes to continue.
Kidslingo has now moved all classes into the digital world – with great success.
Louise told the News: “Overnight we changed the model from face-to-face classes to doing everything online via the interactive web platform Zoom.
“The impact the coronavirus is having on children and young families is unprecedented. But I knew that keeping the classes open would be one of the ways in which to offer some stability and normality in this very confusing time.
“Where we can, we have tried to keep children in their friendship groups so they can continue to virtually see their best friends, which we know is really, really important.”
Louise is the franchisee of multiaward winning Kidslingo Glasgow South that inspires young children to love languages.
Through interactive learning children from birth to the age of 11 are learning French and Spanish and building their confidence and communication skills.
The fun live video classes have been rolled out nationwide and are available via computer, phone or tablet for existing and new customers.
As well as the live classes, there will be additional resources to help parents. These include educational packs and music, emailed out weekly.
Louise added: “The first online classes took place last week, and the feedback has been incredible from parents who are relieved to know that their children are still able to participate in an activity that brings so much joy.”
Kidslingo believe routine and safe social interaction is incredibly important to preserve the mental health and wellbeing of young children.
Many will be feeling the loss of their daily activities and seeing their friends, which has almost changed overnight.
The pressure on parents is also at an all-time high and many will be feeling overwhelmed with the thought of homeschooling and balancing their own work and running a household.
The success of the online offering has been through the quality of teaching Kidslingo Glasgow South offers.
Classes are hosted by expert linguists to create interactive content where they can reach out to individual students to ask questions and set additional fun tasks.
“For children that have become proficient in a language, it would be heartbreaking for them to see it all go to waste if the classes were to discontinue”, said Louise.
“As things progress, we will continue to build on what we are offering, including content that all children can access via our social media channels.
“I’m very grateful for the support from our customers and all the photos and videos that they have shared of their children continuing to enjoy Kidslingo classes.”
To find out more visit https:// www.kidslingo.co.uk/live-video/ or follow them on Facebook @ KidslingoGlasgowSouth