LANGUAGES

MELBOURNE FRENCH THEATRE INCURSION

The Melbourne French Theatre Company is a renowned bilingual company who perform plays in French and English and run workshops with students. On Wednesday 2 December, the seven Year 8 French classes participated in a workshop where they prepared scenes from a play adaptation of the classic French text, Le Petit Nicolas. Led by an animateur, the students were divided into small groups and rehearsed scenes set in the home, the market and the mechanic. They were given scripts in both French and English and all students took on roles of the characters. Some even performed as inanimate objects like clocks, trucks and tables.

The small groups performed to the rest of the audience and the best performers were awarded with a 'prix'. The workshop was engaging and lots of fun, but also promoted language learning and theatrical skills.

Director of the company, Michael Bula, closed the session with a comment on the value of language learning and getting involved in theatre. The animateurs were all bilingual, some French and some Australian, but all passionate about language skills and sharing this with students.

Kellie Dickson

French Teacher/Year 9 Student Manager

CONSIDERING STUDYING A LANGUAGE FOR VCE AND UNIVERSITY?

The University Languages Portal Australia website has all the information you need on languages at tertiary level across Australia. What are the benefits of languages? What are the outcomes? Where can I study German, French, an Australian Indigenous language or any other language? 

Visit http://ulpa.edu.au/. 

The website is very simple to use, clear and rich in information. If you are looking for a specific language it is easier to go down the home page and use the "what languages can I study?" section.

YEAR 9 FRENCH EXCURSION - RESTAURANT BERGERAC

As a celebration of their Year 9 elective studies in French, the three Year 9 French classes enjoyed a meal in the iconic French restaurant, Bergerac, in the city on Monday 7 December. Students got to experience snails as an entrée, a traditional French main meal of either steak or chicken and then a dessert choice between a chocolate tart and a creme brulee. The meals were thoroughly enjoyed, savouring every bite. The students' behaviour was impeccable.

In the afternoon, we visited the rare books section of the State Library to see an exhibition about some of the earliest books printed. Students took particular note of those published by French authors. We are continually on the search for links to French history and culture in our studies at McKinnon.

Thank you to Mme Antal for organising the day's events.

THE LANGUAGES FACULTY WOULD LIKE TO WISH THE McKINNON COMMUNITY

Thank you for your support throughout the Year and enjoy a restful break with your families.

Andrea Fowler

Head of Languages