About the balance between sportive activities and language learning.

 As I have already mentioned, I have worked in a summer camp in Germany this summer as a French/English teacher. This experience was fantastic! One particularity of some camps, was that balance between sportive activities and language learning.

Whoever has already worked in this kind context can tell that kids are more tired, but get also more out of their language learning. This is paradoxal! I am aware of it. However, could we find an explanation for it? The children were immerged in an English or French context depending on the camps. All the counsellors were native speakers and using their mother tongue whatever the context, even in case of a minor emergency. Language "lessons" and games were planned for the morning, as children were participating in some intensive sportive activities in the afternoon such as canoeing, high-ropes, low-ropes or building rafts.

According to a publication from Leslee J. Scheuer and Dr. Debby Mitchell (2003) (See the following link: http://www.sports-media.org/sportapolisnewsletter19.htm), this is absolutely normal and proven! I quote here the conclusion of their publication:

"Enhanced brain function, energy levels, body builds/perceptions, self-esteem, and behavior have been attributed to physical activity and to improved academic performance. One cannot make direct correlations from the information offered. However it is obvious that many positive relationships have been suggested".

What is even more interesting, is that high achievements in sports is more linked to mathematics, rather than literacy. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be any research about the relationship existing between sports attaintment and language learning...

If you want to know more see the following link: www.dsr.wa.gov.au/assets/files/Research/Brain%20boost_emailer.pdf.