Learning a new language is hard, especially for visual learners. ShaoLan Hsueh has developed a system called Chineasy that teaches Chinese characters based on a visual mnemonic (A visual memory technique). Art and illustration can be helpful in learning a new language and could be a great lesson in the art classroom. Here is a video of their first lesson on Chineasy.
Students could pick a language from a hat or one based on their own cultural background. Though this may be most interesting when using non-Latin writing systems it can be applied to those that are. For example, Casa means house in Spanish, but it sounds like "castle" so an image, like on a flashcard could be created. I would suggest students take on anywhere from one to 10 words based on your time constraints. Images can be a full large image or on the size of flashcards. They might even be laminated to be used and built upon every year.
A list of the top 100 words used in the English language might be a good place to start. You'll find it with a simple Google search or here. This way, over a few years, you may be able to develop several learning alphabets or have students focus on one particular language, and build decks one at a time.
I have also done name-specific projects where students write their names in another language, like Chinese, but draw out the characters to show the things they enjoy or value. Find names HERE.
Students could pick a language from a hat or one based on their own cultural background. Though this may be most interesting when using non-Latin writing systems it can be applied to those that are. For example, Casa means house in Spanish, but it sounds like "castle" so an image, like on a flashcard could be created. I would suggest students take on anywhere from one to 10 words based on your time constraints. Images can be a full large image or on the size of flashcards. They might even be laminated to be used and built upon every year.
A list of the top 100 words used in the English language might be a good place to start. You'll find it with a simple Google search or here. This way, over a few years, you may be able to develop several learning alphabets or have students focus on one particular language, and build decks one at a time.
I have also done name-specific projects where students write their names in another language, like Chinese, but draw out the characters to show the things they enjoy or value. Find names HERE.