LANGUAGES
INTERGENERATIONAL CONVERSATIONS AT MCKINNON
The Intergenerational Conversations Program in German classes has been part of the Year 11 German curriculum since 2014. Last year, due to the pandemic, we were very disappointed for not being able to run this program for our students. But on Thursday 25 February, we happily welcomed back at school our senior German speaking volunteers. They were very excited to get to know students in the current Year 11 German class and the first general conversation was appreciated by all participants.
Students completed a personal profile of the volunteer they spoke to and our volunteers were instructed to ask as many questions as possible to get to know the students. The reward at the end of these conversation lessons is always ´Kaffee (for volunteers) und Kuchen (for all).
Following our meeting on Thursday, I also asked volunteers for their feedback and received this email:
Dear Andrea,
I am so glad you asked, as yesterday’s experience has been going around in my brain. Glad I can now give voice to this.
How good to see you and my fellow participants again after such a long absence. How I have missed the warm and friendly interactions between teachers, students and fellow participants, not to forget “Kaffee und Kuchen“.
I came home elated, my spirits lifted with a feeling of hope for the future with people like these students, who are the future, their varying personalities, aspirations and enthusiasm are wonderful to witness.
Not only do I enjoy our German conversations which, while assisting the students, are also stimulating for me. I welcome the opportunity to speak German, which is my mother tongue and to interact with young people.
This intergenerational program owes its success to Mrs Andrea Fowler whose hard work, dedication and enthusiasm is palpable, as is the respect and admiration in which she is held by her students and those involved in the program.
Susi Bendel
Thank you to all volunteers who have been part of this program for years. We greatly appreciate the contributions you make to this program.
If you are interested in participating, please email fow@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au or call 8520 9000.
Andrea Fowler
Learning Area Manager Languages
TWO WEEKS LEFT BEFORE THE EDUCATION PERFECT LANGUAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Two weeks left before the Education Perfect Languages Championships (Tuesday 16 March to Tuesday 23 March)!
For those who are new to school, the Education Perfect Languages Championships is more than just an event at McKinnon Secondary College, it's tradition. Every year, for a week, everyone (teachers and staff included!) log in to Education Perfect and answer as many questions as possible to collect points. Even if you don't study a language, you can participate.
Reaching second place on the leaderboard last year was amazing. But in 2021, there can only be a spot for McKinnon Secondary College in the Education Perfect Languages Championship: the first place! This is why we need everyone to participate.
I will be sending more emails to students in the next two weeks to make sure everyone is ready to go when the competition starts. There will also be plenty of surprises so don't miss out!
Thank you very much.
Monsieur Cédric Chamontin
French Teacher
LEARNING SPANISH
Spanish is the fastest growing language in the world. With around 577 million speakers around the globe, it is the second largest language after Mandarin and has an estimated 480 million people who speak it as a native language.
Knowing Spanish is a beneficial skill as the political weight of Spanish-speaking communities has continued to grow exponentially over recent years. Acknowledging the relevance of the language is a necessary step that must be taken to achieve inclusivity.
An example of this growing awareness is the recent reinstatement of the Spanish language section on the ‘Whitehouse.gov’ website by Biden which had been previously omitted.
Articles:
- Spanish: a community with 577 million speakers
- Whitehouse.gov relaunches to include Spanish language communications under Biden
Learning Spanish these past few weeks has been an enriching experience and I can’t wait to see what else I can gain from it this year. It has given me an opportunity to explore the importance of Spanish in today’s world and I hope to be able to continue to attain important information about the world revolving around the Spanish language.
Isabella Chang Wollmann
Year 9 Student
JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Jewish International Film Festival is underway celebrating extraordinary Jewish-themed films from Israel and the Jewish diaspora with a diverse program of film from around the globe. There are also several German language and German produced films in the 2021 program which will be also of interest to our German students. The Jewish International Film Festival is on in Melbourne at The Classic Cinemas and The Lido until Tuesday 16 March.
Two films that were recommended:
It’s 1933, and nine-year-old Anna’s carefree childhood is disrupted when her parents decide to flee Germany. In their search for safety and livelihood, the close-knit family moves first to Switzerland, then Paris and finally, London – each move presents great challenges, but even greater rewards. Though she still harbours hopes of returning to Berlin, Anna gradually learns that home is wherever she is free to love, imagine and dream.
Set in 1942, Persian Lessons follows Gilles, a young Belgian man who, when arrested by the SS alongside other Jews, is sent to a concentration camp in Germany. He is temporarily saved from execution by lying to guards claiming he is Persian, until he is assigned to teach Farsi to a high-ranking officer and one false move could expose everything.
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages provides valuable information on its website in regards to Cognitive Benefits to Students.
Please just click on the link if you would like to know more about the benefits of Language learning for your child.
Andrea Fowler
Learning Area Manager Languages