By Michelle Crean

Three sets of classes got a chance to learn another language ahead of attending secondary school next September.

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Sixth Class pupils in St Oliver's NS completed the Language Sampler in French.

They then held a French day which included dressing as mimes, soccer players, fashionistas and artists, to mark the completion of the eight week-long course.

"St Oliver's is a very multicultural school and the children have enjoyed sharing their views on language learning, the respect for other cultures and the curiosity learning a foreign language creates in their minds," Hélène Olivier-Courtney, French For All Killarney School of French, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"It was a truly meaningful and enjoyable process for the teacher too! This was the second year the children from Sixth Class could enjoy the sampler before going to secondary school. The whole school approach, teachers and SNAs involvement, made the sampler a very enjoyable experience for all the Sixth Class children."

The language sampler encourages pupils to reflect on the importance of learning languages not only from an academic point of view but also from a cultural point of view.

"This approach promotes respect, open mindedness and curiosity about other cultures and languages and embraces the multicultural and multilingual identity of St Oliver's NS. Of course, learning a foreign language should also be really enjoyable and when there is a whole school approach to this language journey, children really benefit from the experience by having fun activities."

She added a thank you to the teachers, SNAs, vice principal Sandra Chute and Principal Colm Ó Suilleabháin for making the Language Sampler a very enjoyable experience especially on their French day!