Languages: The Big Picture

It will help if, from the outset, you encourage your pupils to get into the mindset of being a Languages Investigator. You might prompt them with the following questions:

• What does an investigator do? ( uncover / find out, collect information, sort information, analyse information, draw conclusions, problem solve, decision make, consider the choices/ options )


• What skills does an investigator require?( patience, persistence, open-mindedness, creativity, good communication )


• If you were a languages investigator what would you like to investigate about the worlds languages?

Pupils might wish to consider the following:

• Why do we speak different languages?


• Which are the most widely spoken languages?


• Why are some languages more widely spoken than others?


• Is it possible for a language to die?


• Why are some languages more similar than others?


• What would the world be like if people only spoke their mother tongue?


• Why is it important to learn other languages?


• How would we communicate if we could not speak?