Two projects were in the process of being developed using the Linguacuisine app, a free app developed by Newcastle University which enables users to learn a language whilst cooking a new recipe.  Learners can visit the digital kitchen on campus, have an outreach session from the facilitator, or use the app independently in their classroom or even at home.

Year 7 students from Wyvern Academy in Darlington had fun cooking up crepes using the free Linguacuisine app, both in the digital kitchen in iLab at Newcastle University, and back in their school's food technology room.  Their next step was to hold a French cafe in their school, using the app to cook their own crepes for their fellow students, but this was put on hold due to the global pandemic and school closures.

Year 10 students from Seaham High School visited the digital kitchen to make Spanish tapas, and then developed their research skills in the Language Resource Centre.  Their next step would have been to create and video their own simple recipes in Spanish and upload them to the app, so that younger students in the school could try them out.  Again, this was postponed due to school closures.

National Curriculum Subject Content:

Year 7 MFL (Spanish) Curriculum: Developing linguistic competence, cultural appreciation and knowledge, and vocabulary

Project Summary:

This exciting project was collaboratively planned and delivered by the Language Resource Centre (LRC) at Newcastle University and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP).  The aim was to introduce the students to their Key Stage 3 Spanish curriculum using culture and authentic situations, people and places. The project started with a visit to Newcastle University where pupils took part in a Linguacuisine activity, cooking a Spanish recipe.  They spent time in the LRC, met their Language Ambassador and had a Portuguese taster lesson. They then took part in a series of virtual lessons via Skype with the Language Ambassador on a variety of topics including typical food, cultural celebrations and music. The project culminated in a showcase from the partners and an interactive presentation of the students work.

Skills Development:

• Developing vocabulary, grammar and cultural knowledge
• Using ICT (Skype, iPads)
• Working independently and in a group
• Creating a final product (interactive presentation)
• Communicating ideas, cultural knowledge and vocabulary to an external audience (in lessons to the Language Ambassador and during the final presentation to an external audience)