One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

Inspired by the life of Neil Armstrong, this blog is a quick reminder of all the free KS2 resources out there that link Space and Languages. You can download a PPT about the astronaut at the TES resources site. KS3/4 teachers might even want to explore some of the news reports across the world.

Lets kick off with looking at the International Space Station itself - exactly what language do you use? Well the answer is - all of them, we are talking highly-educated multi-lingual astronauts after all! But for some language investigation work of your own try out this PowerPoint from Gloucestershire primary languages team(there is a similar one on the iLanguages scheme of work too). Explore more cross-curricular lessons about life on the Space Station here.

Could you say anthing in any language? Dont despair - explore the pros and cons of multilingual translation sites such as forvo - how can they help in the future? Or will they actally be a hindrance to learning? (Answers on a postcard...)

But don't limit yourself to these languages alone - why not share this video clip on YouTube of astronaut Caldwell Dyson delivering thefirst ever address from the Internation al Space Station to the dea...in sign language - watch her pony tail float around above her head in the zero gravity!

There are pleny of children activities to explore on the National Space Centre website- and if you are close enough to visit I highly recommend it (took a mixed KS2 class there for a residential a few years ago for a marvellous cross-curricular weekend).

Of course members of Talkabout have blogged and swapped resources on the theme of Space and Languages before, not least because of the links with QCA unit 18 - Les Planetes. The resources and lessons created together for the whole scheme of work are shared on http://year5french.wikispaces.com/Unit+18+Les+Planetes

Don't forget there are more free resources too on MFL Sunderland, and Anglo European School primary resources (scroll to the bottom), and of course soundfiles for the key phrases on LCF Babelzone

So if you are just looking to spice up the theme for this years 'European Day of Languages' on the 26th September, or going for a full on project, there's no reason now why you and your class shouldn't "boldly go to explore where no man has gone before.." (sorry Star Trek got the better of me there) or at the very least have a quick play on the NASA kids club site during break.