Linguaphone Group, an international global language training provider with an extensive network of licensed partners across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has today announced an important collaboration with Kingston University’s School of Education to design and develop an international curriculum for young children which will work alongside the Group’s existing licensed Pingu’s English programme.
The Linguaphone Group operates under the internationally recognised Linguaphone, Direct English and Pingu’s English brand names. With over 112 years of experience, the Group has an extensive network of learning centres and distributors worldwide. Pingu’s English is a 3 level centre based programme which teaches English to young children of 3-7+ years. Pingu’s English also provides valuable lessons in socialization, numeracy and computer skills. The programme is based on the hugely popular television character, Pingu, the mischievous but loveable penguin, and centres on his true-to-life everyday adventures in the South Pole.
The extended international curriculum will provide a well-planned structure and the necessary resources to support early years’ practitioners in giving children the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for developmental progression though play activities linked closely to the much loved and widely used Pingu’s English package. The curriculum will be consistent with the Early Years Foundation stage framework (EYSF) philosophy and will be delivered in English. Linguaphone Group hope to release the new international curriculum to market in late 2016.
Derek Price, CEO, Linguaphone Group said, “Our partnership with Kingston University’s School of Education makes us early players in the growing market for International Kindergartens and, combined with the inherent strength of the Pingu’s English branding, will be an exciting opportunity for all our partners.”
Kingston University’s School of Education is currently rated by The Guardian league table as the top teacher-training provider in London and consistently ranked in the top six in the UK.
“Our experts are thrilled to be a part of this venture and to have the opportunity to contribute age appropriate activities in key curriculum and skills areas to enhance and support this well-established entertaining educational, children’s English language course”, said Andy Hudson, Associate Dean (Education Partnerships), Kingston University.
Notes to editors:
- The Linguaphone Group is a world-leading provider of language training solutions, operating under the internationally recognised Linguaphone, Direct English and Pingu’s English brand names. With over 109 years of experience, the Group has an extensive network of learning centres worldwide. The Group has also helped millions of people learn a new language through their wide-ranging portfolio of self-study products sold in over 60 countries. For more information visit
www.linguaphonegroup.com
- Pingu’s English offers an array of creative learning activities and exercises using high quality, multimedia materials and teaching resources. Developed by leading English language and child education specialists, each student will receive a course pack consisting of DVDs, study books, song and story books with CDs plus interactive online learning materials.
- About HIT Entertainment – HIT Entertainment is one of the world’s leading independent children’s entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT’s portfolio includes properties, such as Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Pingu, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina and Rainbow Magic. HIT represents Chapman Entertainment’s Fifi and the Flowertots and Roary the Racing Car in North America, as well as Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as representative for The Wiggles in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, PBS KIDS SproutSM. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com
- The Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education is a partnership between Kingston University and St George’s, University of London. For further information visit www.healthcare.ac.uk
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