Topic outline

  • Science in the Language Class

    Science in the Language Class

    Sandie Robb
    Sandie Robb

    RZSS Language Project Coordinator

    Hi I'm Sandie, welcome to the Science in the Language Class learning resources - Japanese, Spanish, French & Gaelic.

    I'm the project manager for Science in the Language Class, the Science Specialist Confucius Classroom and the Beyond the Panda programme.

    'Science in the Language Class' is an educational programme which provides resources that link language learning to RZSS conservation projects across the world, or to the conservation breeding programmes within RZSS sites.

    Each language section on this page is split into free and premium resources, with information about sessions you can book with us where available.

    In the free resources, you can download language worksheets which can assist with a visit to RZSS Edinburgh Zoo or Highland Wildlife Park and they can also be used in the classroom.

    In each section, you can view details of the language packs available. On purchase of a language pack you will be able to view the premium resources relating to that language.

    Spanish French Japanese Gaelic

  • Spanish - Science in the Language Class

    Learn about RZSS projects in South America with our fun and interactive quiz session. Questions and answers are in Spanish and include animal names, threats, numbers, colours and parts of the body. This session includes sound files from a native Spanish speaker. 

    Book your session here

    • Spanish - free materials

      • Spanish Competition


      • Tell the Story of a Spanish Stamp File

        Fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives all starting from one postage stamp. Although examples are given for upper primary/lower secondary level, any child can take part by creating a page around a stamp with simple drawings and text. There is no time limit for entries as the competition will continue to run each year and be entered into the appropriate Scottish Annual Congress. However, for entry to the 2020 Annual Congress, please send scans of pages by 1st March 2020. Full details on pdf.

      • Juego de oso hormiguero gigante - FREE game
      • Game Board and How to Play File

        Giant anteater game - This fun board game is designed as an introduction to South America, the giant anteater and introduces basic Spanish phrases.

        If you like this game, buy access to download the full pack for £20. 


      • Edinburgh Zoo animal fact files

        At the time of production all animals listed in this booklet can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.

        Teacher Suggestion if using on a zoo visit:

        This is a large booklet to print a number of copies for a zoo visit. We suggest you allocate a different animal to each pupil or group of pupils. The pupil or group will then complete the activity for their allocated animal.
        On each page there is room to write some notes. A suggestion is to write the words in Spanish which would describe the animal. At the end of the booklet there are some example Spanish adjectives.

      • Animal Fact Files: Español - English

        This copy has both English and Spanish translations. 

      • Animal Fact Files - Español

        Please note this copy does not have the English translations for the fact files and is for a more advanced level. For translations, download the Español - English copy.

      • Worksheets
      • Vamos a visitar el zoo File

        Find the location of various facilities at Edinburgh Zoo. Names of the facilities are in Spanish. 

      • Animal Matching Worksheets File

        Match the Spanish name to the correct animal

    • Spanish - premium materials

      • Access to download the Spanish Pack is only £20. We ask for this nominal fee to help keep our website updated. Contact srobb@rzss.org.uk 

        Aimed at upper primary/lower secondary level. Designed for cross curricular learning and covers Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in science, topical science, social studies, language and literacy. 

        The Spanish Pack includes materials based on RZSS work with the giant armadillo and the giant anteater from South America.  

        The Spanish Pack is in partnership with the StampIT. Stamps are a great medium to find out more about the culture and language of a country. 


        We would like to acknowledge Sonia Pérez Coughlan and Julia Preston both from East Ayrshire Council, Louise Whyte from SCILT and Paula López Moreno for help with translations.

        This pack contains the following:

        • South American Endangered Species game                                                                                                                                This board game introduces four South American animals. It includes language, fact, threat and legend challenge cards to discover  facts and threats facing these animals and uses the Spanish translations to investigate some common Spanish vocabulary. 
        endangered species board
        • South American animal classification activity
          A matching game for the five vertebrate groups using South American animals and includes Spanish translations.Includes base boards, photo cards, description cards, English name and Spanish name cards. 
               
        • Juego de la oca (StampIT)
          A fun board game to help learn some common nouns. Includes challenge cards to find out more about Spanish culture and wildlife. This game is produced in partnership with StampIT and can also be accessed from StampIT website 

        • El juego filatélico (StampIT)
          This is a sorting game with the following categories: the city, food and drink, animals & plants, the people, music and art. Includes stamp cards. This game is produced in partnership with StampIT and is only available within this pack. It is not available on the StampIT website. 

        To purchase a pack contact srobb@rzss.org.uk

    • French - Science in the Language Class

      Learn about the lemurs of Madagascar and the RZSS Partula snail project in the French Polynesia islands with our fun and interactive quiz session. Questions and answers are in French and include animal names, threats, numbers, colours and parts of the body. This session includes sound files from a native French speaker.

      Book your session here

      • French - free materials

        • French Competition


        • Tell the Story of a French Stamp File

          Fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives all starting from one postage stamp. Although examples are given for upper primary/lower secondary level, any child can take part by creating a page around a stamp with simple drawings and text. There is no time limit for entries as the competition will continue to run each year and be entered into the appropriate Scottish Annual Congress. However, for entry to the 2020 Annual Congress, please send scans of pages by 1st March 2020. Full details on pdf. 

        • L'escargot partula - FREE game

          Partula snail game

          This board game is designed for learning about the range, diet, habitat, threats and breeding of the Partula snails from the French Polynesia islands. The game also includes a fun 'slime trail' activity which uses language & literacy skills.

          If you like this game, buy access to download the full pack for £20. 

        • Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park animal fact files

          At the time of production all animals listed in these booklets can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo or the Highland Wildlife Park.

        • Edinburgh Zoo Animal Fact Files: English - français

          Animal Fact Files for Edinburgh Zoo. 

          The animals are divided into those found in French speaking countries and animals from all around the world.

        • Highland Wildlife Park Animal Fact Files: English - français

          Animal Fact Files for Highland Wildlife Park.

          The animals are divided into those found in French speaking countries and animals from all around the world.

      • French - premium materials

        • Access to download the French Pack is only £20. We ask for this nominal fee to help keep our website updated. Contact srobb@rzss.org.uk 

          Aimed at upper primary/lower secondary level. Designed for cross curricular learning and covers Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in science, topical science, social studies, language and literacy.

          The French Pack includes materials from a number of French speaking countries looking at the northern lynx from France, lemurs from Madagascar, Partula snails from the French Polynesia islands and the polar bear from Canada.   

          The French Pack is in partnership with the Institut français. 

          We would like to acknowledge Thomas Chaurin, from the Institut français and Janette Kelso from SCILT for help with translations.


          This pack contains the following:

          • Northern Lynx game

            This fun board game is designed as an introduction to learning about France, the northern lynx and introduces basic French phrases.

          • French animal classification activity

            A matching game for the five vertebrate groups using French animals and including French translations.

          • Madagascar Endangered Species game

            This board game introduces four species of lemur. It includes challenge cards to discover facts and threats facing the lemurs and uses French translations to investigate some common French vocabulary.

          • Polar bear bingo

            A bingo game matching pictures of different body parts of the polar bear with the respective French words.

          To purchase a pack contact srobb@rzss.org.uk

      • Japanese - free materials

        • Snow Monkey Challenge Game - FREE game

          This fun board game is designed as an introduction to Japan, its wildlife and introduces some basic Japanese phrases.

          If you like this game, buy access to download the full pack for £20.

        • Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park animal fact files

          At the time of production all animals listed in these booklets can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo or the Highland Wildlife Park.

        • Japanese at Edinburgh Zoo File

          Foreign animal names are usually written in katakana. This booklet is designed for learning to recognise katakana. 

          [Our packs (see Premium materials below) have activities in hiragana, katakana and kanji.]

        • Japanese at Highland Wildlife Park File

          Foreign names are usually written in katakana. Animal names native to Japan are written in hiragana. This booklet is designed for learning to recognise katakana but the hiragana is noted where relevant. 

        • Monkey Business at Edinburgh Zoo

        • The Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Deputy Director and Chief Language Advisor from the Japan Foundation, London join children to play Monkey Business - one of the board games in our Japanese Pack.

        • StampIT Resources

          RZSS works in partnership with ASPS StampIT's 'Language of Stamps'. More information on StampIT resources is available here. 

        • Sugoroku Game Board File

          Sugoroku is a traditional Japanese board game appearing in many different variations. RZSS have partnered with StampIT to produce this unique version using Japanese postage stamps to learn about Japan's culture and language. 

        • Sugoroku Challenge Information File

          Answers to the challenges and useful information.

      • Japanese - premium materials

        • Access to download the Japanese Pack is only £20. We ask for this nominal fee to help keep our website updated. Contact srobb@rzss.org.uk 

          Aimed at upper primary/lower secondary level. Designed for cross curricular learning and covers Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in science, topical science, social studies, language and literacy. Includes activities using hiragana, katakana and kanji. 

          The Japanese Pack is based on the Japanese macaque, commonly known as the snow monkey. 

          The Japanese Pack is supported by the Japan Foundation. We would like to acknowledge Ruta Noreika, blue earth works ltd; Mr Makoto Netsu, Japan Foundation; Dr Yoko Matsumoto-Sturt, University of  Edinburgh and Mr. Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh for help with translations. 

          This pack contains the following:

          • Monkey Business
            This board game is designed for learning about the range, diet and lifestyle of the snow monkey while introducing new Japanese vocabulary using various language & literacy skills. Includes question cards and word cards. 
          • Japanese animal classification activity
            A matching game for the five vertebrate groups using Japanese animals. Includes base boards, photo cards, description cards, English and Japanese name cards in both hiragana and katakana. 

          • Life-size snow monkey poster & family tree activity
            A life-size snow monkey poster featuring photos of the monkey at various stages of its life and a family tree activity which challenges pupils to use and interpret information to learn Japanese family terms.
          • Snow monkey senses
            A matching game to recognise the sense body parts and their kanji characters. This activity also includes a stroke order card to practise writing the characters.

          To purchase a pack contact srobb@rzss.org.uk

      • Gaelic - free materials

      • Gaelic - premium materials

        • Access to download the Gaelic Pack is only £20. We ask for this nominal fee to help keep our website updated. Contact srobb@rzss.org.uk 

          Aimed at upper primary/lower secondary level. Designed for cross curricular learning and covers Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in science, topical science, social studies, language and literacy. 

          The Gaelic Pack includes materials based on RZSS work with the Scottish wildcat, beaver, water vole and red squirrel. 

          The Gaelic Pack is in partnership with the Scottish Government 

          We would like to acknowledge Jan Kersel, Go Gaelic and Eoghan Stewart, SCILT for help with translations.

          On purchase, you will also get access to sound files of the words, phrases and sentences associated with the games. We would like to acknowledge Stòrlann for providing these sound files. 


          This pack contains the following:

          • Red squirrel's year activity
          The red squirrel's year activity is designed to learn about a typical year in the life of a red squirrel while matching the names of the months in Gaelic. 


          • Red squirrel's habitat building game
          This habitat building game introduces some Gaelic nature vocabulary. 


          • Scottish animal classification activity
          A matching game for the five vertebrate groups using Scottish animals and includes Gaelic translations. 


          • Scottish wildcat game
          This board game is designed as an introduction to learning about Scotland, the Scottish wildcat and introduces some basic Gaelic phrases. 


          • Water vole burrow game
          A game to simulate the water vole finding a safe way back to the burrow highlighting one of the main threats. 


          • Water vole facts
          A set of water vole photos and facts with matching Gaelic sentences. 


          To purchase a pack contact srobb@rzss.org.uk

      • Other Languages

        Our 'Science in the Language Class' series focuses on languages which link to RZSS projects in the wild or to main conservation projects within our sites. Please also see our extensive Mandarin programme which is now completely free and includes expert visits and outreach to schools - beyondthepanda.org.uk

        For other languages, currently we have a free German game based on the black stork and an Italian game based on the European lynx. 

        Please also see template resources below to create your own foreign language materials. 

        • World Topic/Language Competition


        • Tell the Story of a Stamp File

          Fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives all starting from one postage stamp. Although examples are given for upper primary/lower secondary level, any child can take part by creating a page around a stamp with simple drawings and text. There is no time limit for entries as the competition will continue to run each year and be entered into the appropriate Scottish Annual Congress. However, for entry to the 2020 Annual Congress, please send scans of pages by 1st March 2020. Full details on pdf. 

        • Der Schwarzstorch - FREE game

          This board game is designed for learning about habitat, range, adaptations, diet, breeding and threats to the black stork. The 'egg' cards are a fun element which use various language and literacy skills. 

          German is not one of our languages in the RZSS Science in the Language Class series but we have produced this one game based on the black stork which can be seen at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. 

          We would like to acknowledge Dr. Meryl James, Senior Professional Development Officer, SCILT & CISS and Kevin McAdam, Principal Teacher of Modern Languages, Stirling High School for help with translations.

        • La Lince Europea - FREE game

          This board game is designed for learning about habitat, range, adaptations, diet, breeding and threats to the European lynx. The 'pawprint' cards are a fun element which use various language and literacy skills. 

          Italian is not one of our languages in the RZSS Science in the Language Class series but we have produced this one game based on the European lynx which can be seen at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park. 

          We would like to acknowledge Sheena Bell, Professional Development Officer, SCILT for help with translations.

        • Edinburgh Zoo

          • Blank template map
          Compare this blank template to the current map available on the Edinburgh Zoo website and create your own foreign language map. 


          • Picture cards
          Create your own foreign language animal flashcards. 

          An animal from every continent of the world. 

        • Highland Wildlife Park

          • Blank template map

          Compare this blank template to the current map available on the Highland Wildlife Park website and create your own foreign language map. 


          • Picture cards
          Create your own foreign language animal flashcards. 

          An animal from every continent around the world except for Oceania/Australasia.