Learning English Through Joy: Celebrating a Year of Creativity and Growth
When you learn a language through joy, the desire to keep learning it will never leave you.
Decades of educational research confirm that children learn a second language most effectively when immersed through sensory, creative, and physical experiences rather than through memorizing grammar rules. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences reminds us that every child learns through different channels: musical, interpersonal, artistic, and more. Neuroscience also shows that positive emotions and play strengthen long-term memory and learning. These principles are at the heart of R.O.S.A.’s approach to English language learning for children.
Yesterday, we celebrated a whole year of imagination, growth, and joy at our End-of-the-Year Final Showcase of Theatre in English and Musical in English at the Cadlolo School in Rome. Families gathered to enjoy performances and artwork created throughout the year in our after-school English courses, demonstrating how creativity can become a powerful pathway to language acquisition.
The word that emerged most strongly throughout the day was value. Japanese educator and philosopher Tsunesaburō Makiguchi defined value through a simple equation: good + beauty = value. These special moments shared by children, parents, and teachers create meaningful experiences and lasting memories that extend far beyond the classroom.
From the very beginning, R.O.S.A.’s mission has been to introduce Italian children to English from a young age, not only through textbooks, but through music, theatre, dance, creativity, and play. When children learn a language while doing something they love, new vocabulary becomes naturally embedded in both memory and experience.
That is why we want children to associate English with fun, movement, and discovery. English is more than a school subject. It is a key to new friendships, new cultures, and opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.
Throughout the year, our students were exposed to English in engaging and enjoyable ways: singing, dancing, acting, creating, and playing. We believe these experiences help build confidence and nurture a lifelong love of learning English.
We would also like to recognise the extraordinary educators who made this year possible: Terence Usher and Francesca Thermes, our dedicated musical teachers; Julia Rhodes, our wonderful Theatre in English teacher; and Caterina Martusciello, our exceptional art teacher, who has been creating remarkable value with R.O.S.A. since 2015.
Learning through joy is not simply a philosophy. It is a proven educational method. Research consistently shows that children who develop positive emotional associations with a language in their earliest years are more likely to pursue it with confidence throughout their lives.
At R.O.S.A., we do not just teach English. We plant a seed of curiosity and wonder.