Language clubs in primary schools offer a unique opportunity for pupils to explore and learn new languages in a fun, engaging environment. These extra-curricular clubs are mainly held at lunchtime or as afterschool clubs. Being part of a language club enhances communication skills and cultural awareness while igniting enthusiasm for learning foreign languages. Below are several activity ideas to make your language club sessions exciting and educational.

For each activity, we’ve added examples from Kapow Primary French and Spanish lessons, although the suggestions would work for any language.

Language games

Games are a fantastic way to learn and practise new languages. Consider games like “Simon Says” but in the target language, “Language Bingo” with words instead of numbers, and “Charades” using vocabulary words. These activities promote learning through play, making language acquisition a fun experience. Children often ask to play the same games again and again, which makes your planning and preparation easier.

If there are games that have worked especially well in language lessons, why not repeat them in an after-school or lunchtime language club?

The Year 3 lesson, Outdoor games in France, suggests games that French children play. They would be well-received in a primary French club.

Storytelling sessions

Organise storytelling sessions where children listen to stories in the target language. Follow up with a discussion and ask questions to test comprehension and engage the children in conversations about the story. This activity not only improves listening skills but also enhances vocabulary and understanding of different cultures.

In the Year 4 Spanish lesson, La tienda de mascotas, children listen to and read a story about a pet shop. In a Spanish club, they could use this to create their own story. 

Role-play scenarios

In a primary languages club, pupils can create role-play scenarios where they act out everyday situations using the target language. This could include ordering food, asking for directions, or shopping. Role-play helps children practice conversational language in a practical, interactive setting. To make the experience more authentic, you could set up a café role-play with real food from another country

OurYear 4 Spanish unit In a Spanish café has great activities for café role play and can even be adapted for other languages. 

Cultural art and crafts

Incorporate art or craft activities related to the cultures of the language being studied. This could include making traditional masks, creating holiday-specific decorations, or artwork in the style of a particular artist. These activities allow children to immerse themselves in the cultural aspects of the language and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation.

In the Year 3 French lesson, In the style of the French artist Matisse, children make an animal collage using language to describe shapes and colours.

Then, in Spanish, Year 3 children create Tile designs inspired by the Alhambra in the style of Gaudí.

Songs from different countries

Music is a universal language and can be a powerful tool for learning a new language. Singing songs in the target language helps with pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. For older children, find popular songs you can sing along to and for younger children, focus on nursery rhymes and childhood songs.

The Spanish song in this Year 4 lesson about pets, Las mascotas, is an example of adding vocabulary to a well-known, catchy tune.

For teaching numbers, you can use traditional nursery rhymes such as the one used in this Year 3 French lesson, Let’s count higher in French.

Subject leader support

Often, it’s a subject leader who leads a primary school language club. To support subject leaders, we have developed free subject leader toolkits with useful resources such as:

• Teacher knowledge audits
• Subject audits for Ofsted
• Pupil voice questionnaires
• Staff presentations

FREE French subject leader toolkit	FREE Spanish subject leader toolkit

Incorporating various activities into your primary school language club can make learning a new language an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for children. By engaging pupils in games, storytelling, crafts, music, role-playing, and cultural celebrations, you can create an enjoyable and dynamic language club where children develop language skills and cultural awareness.