Schools Red Herring (Red Herring - Linlithgow Gazette)

Pupils in Linlithgow and the rest of West Lothian are being encouraged to watch videos.
And although even a murder mystery is included in one which is being circulated, there is a more serious message behind it.

For the interactive computer game “Red Herring” which is designed to make learning French and German a more enjoyable experience, is so successful that it is being sent to every secondary school in Scotland.

The aim of the CD ROM, which has been designed by West Lothian Council’s Education Services and Learning Curve Software Ltd, is to motivate young people to learn a modern language and appreciate its social, personal and occupational values.

The resource has two parts- a murder mystery computer game which supports Scottish pupils studying French or German between S1 and S4; and an eight-minute video highlighting the benefits of studying modern foreign language and providing valuable information about Scottish curriculum language courses.
Education committee convener Councillor Carol Bartholomew said: “Once again West Lothian is leading the way with innovative approaches to learning. It’s great this resource will be available to benefit young people across Scotland.”
West Lothian council education officer Meg Morrison helped to develop “Red Herring”.
Of the scheme, she said: “Our aim was to make learning modern languages and enjoyable experience for pupils.
“The game involves interacting with different animated characters which will help to improve listening and comprehension skills, whilst the problem solving activities within the murder investigation will reinforce and extend vocabulary.”

The project was supported by Innovation in Language Learning funding from the Scottish Executive Education Department. Further details on the scheme are available from www.learningcurve.info/redherring