In this course, we will adapt an innovative teaching method called the Colour-Coded Sentence Builder, encompassing three languages: Chinese, English, and Welsh. This approach is a fusion of two key educational strategies:

1. Sentence Builders: This strategy is centred around constructing sentences in a way that enhances language learning. It emphasizes the importance of selecting sentence constructions that are easy to learn and useful for real-life communication. The design of sentence builders is geared towards managing cognitive load, making content comprehensible, and arranging words in a logical, visually accessible manner. This approach aligns with the principles of cognitive psychology, focusing on enhancing attention and learning.
2. Shape and Colour Coding: Originating from the colour coding concepts of John Lea and ICAN, this strategy was further developed by incorporating shape elements for added clarity. It provides a simple, visual, and structured means of supporting language development and sequencing sentences. This method is particularly effective in discussing and analyzing grammatical forms with young children, including those with delayed or disordered language development. It is beneficial for learners who require visual strategies to support auditory memory and processing.

The theoretical underpinnings of the colour-coded Sentences are grounded in the Visual learning style of Fleming’s VAK model, the Textual Input Enhancement (TIE) method, and the unique features of Chinese lexical and syntactic structure. We gratefully acknowledge the pioneering work of Dr. Duo Luan during the See Chinese pilot project at UWTSD, which has significantly shaped this visual learning approach. Furthermore, the method's evolution has been enriched by the invaluable insights from the Wrexham Speech and Language Therapists, whose expertise in shape and colour coding has been instrumental in refining our teaching tools.

By merging these two strategies, our course's Colour-Coded Sentence Builder approach will offer a structured, visually engaging, and cognitively considerate method of language learning, specifically tailored to include Chinese, English, and Welsh. This fusion aims to enhance understanding and use of these languages, making the learning process more accessible and effective for a diverse range of students.

As we've laid the groundwork for our innovative teaching approach, with acknowledgement to those whose work has informed and inspired our methods, it's time to transition into the practical aspect of our course. Let's dive into our first sentence-builder practice.