The World Rugby Cup is growing closer.

Rugby referees from all over the world will be studying their `Laws of the Game”. I presume it means that American referees will have their Law Book with American spellings.

All the rugby referees have to referee the game in English. I wonder, however, in which language the South African referees learn their laws. Do they learn the Laws in English or Afrikaans?

There is one basic law for an offside at a ruck. The term `offside line’ means a line parallel to the goal lines through the hindmost foot of the players’ team. In Afrikaans this reads:

Losskum anders as by ‘n Lynstaan

Terwyl ‘n losskum plassvind, is ‘n speler onkant as hy:

a) van sy teenstanders se kant af daarby aansluit, of

b) voor die bal daarby aansluit.

Now the Football World cup takes place in South Africa in June of 2010. (The Football World Cup is not the same as the Rugby World cup.) This gives the football referees time to learn the rules of football in another language. I am not sure how often a football referee from Equador would have heard a game refereed in Afrikaans. There would need to be a lot of studying and learning of new terms in order to be able to referee football in Afrikaans in South Africa. This is why all games will be refereed in English. The universal language!

Much the same thing happens in our preparations for the eleven plus examinations. We have pleasant and intelligent children who have to learn a new language. Our children have to learn to use words like:

Evaluate
Expression
Structure
Grid
Image
Identical
Sequence
Re-orientate
Identified

If your child at school has been exposed to these words as part of the National Curriculum, and also by being in the presence of a gifted teacher, then he or she will have an advantage. If these words are part of your vocabulary at home, and your child is used to hearing and using these words, then you will also gift a good advantage.

If, however, you need to make sure your child understands the words and can use them then effectively you will need to develop a program to help your child. You really do want to give your child the best possible advantage.

Look over a wide range of selection papers and pick out key words and terms. Copy the words into a list - and also take the time to write down the context in which the words are used. As the year develops keep adding to your vocabulary list.

When your child has to take centre stage in the eleven plus examinations, and beat off the challenge of other children, you will want to have provided the best possible tools.

At a pinch you could also offer the reward of a trip to South Africa fir the World Cup for doing as well as possible in the eleven plus examinations. I could come with the family to try to help to translate at key moments. Please give me a ring. I would love to go.