LANGUAGES

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to Ms. Sonia Zimmermann who is returning to the McKinnon Languages faculty after her maternity leave. Ms. Zimmermann will teach classes in Years 7, 9 and 11 French and Year 7 German. 

Welcome back to our Year 10 2014 French exchange students and congratulations on their achievements in this program which was showcased during our first assembly last week. They were great ambassadors of our school in France and enjoyed their time at the Centre International de Valbonne. For more information about our French exchange school, including the students’ radio shows about Australia’s involvement in the First World War, visit the site http://www.civfrance.com

I would also like to thank all parents - without your generous support this program would be impossible. 

A special thank you to the dedicated staff involved in this program, especially Mr. Hubert and Ms. Dickson, who are responsible for the organization of this international program.

VET CERTIFICATE II IN APPLIED LANGUAGE

Fifty-seven students have been enrolled in the VET Certificate II in Applied German or French this year. This certificate will provide students with a national accreditation of their language learning by the end of this year. It focuses on practical uses of language, including in a social and a work environment.

Students will be able to present this certificate with job applications and employment opportunities will certainly increase with this additional qualification. 

LANGUAGE PERFECT

From the start of 2015, every German and French student at McKinnon will be enrolled with Language Perfect. This program allows students to study vocabulary and grammar online and offers competitions throughout the year and gives students instant feedback on their learning. 

Teachers will be able to set homework and tests online and receive reports about their students’ achievement which will be used to reflect on their progress and further improvement. 

E-BOOKS IN YEAR 7 LANGUAGE CLASSES

Students in Year 7 will commence this year with an online Textbook in German and French. Please be aware that your son/daughter will not be able to access the book unless you have paid for the online book and received an access code from Campion, our school book supplier. 

Students require the online Textbook and the Workbook in their language classes! 

Frau Fowler

Languages KLA Manager

FRENCH EXCHANGE REPORT

The 2014 Year 10 French exchange returned safely to Melbourne on the 14th of January after six incredible weeks. Upon reflection, I truly believe that the benefits of such a program are immeasurable, and some of these will not become apparent until later in life. For the students' language skills, the level of comprehension increased dramatically as they were exposed to a huge variety of French speakers and in various forms - not just one teacher in an Australian classroom and CD recordings. Similarly, their vocab range expanded and began to include more colloquial and informal phrases. This will feed in to their reading and writing skills. I noticed many students' confidence in spoken French also improve, and their resilience to keep trying.

Resilience in living in a foreign country with a different family, plagued with communication difficulty and cultural differences, was another huge bonus. Our students' maturity, consideration and responsibility was heartwarming and I was so proud of them. They made the most of the experience and as I have said, gained so much more than an extended vocabulary. 

Thank you parents for your unconditional support, both when the French students were in Australian and while we were in France. Thank you for your regular communication and trust in the program. 

Thank you to the team at McKinnon for their support of the program and of me while I was in France: M Hubert, Frau Fowler and Mrs Binnion. I was never alone and always bolstered by knowing that they were working in conjunction with me. A particular thank you to M Hubert who was instrumental in allowing this exchange to continue.

Finally, thank you to the incredible 21 students who challenged themselves to spend six weeks in France. You made me so incredibly proud. To witness your happiness in France and your appreciation of France and everything French, was a gift to me.

Ms Kellie Dickson

Year 10 French Teacher

ONE FINAL WORD

Even one of the richest men in this world has regrets! 

Bill Gates wishes he learnt a second language

http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2015/01/29/bill-gates-second-language/