LANGUAGES
NEW BOOST FOR LANGUAGES EDUCATION - LANGUAGES FOR THE FUTURE!
Two weeks ago, our current Year 10 students were surveyed about their intentions to continue language learning in their senior years. The result of this survey was quite astonishing and presented a result that we have aspired for many years.
Many students indicated that they wished to continue their studies and identified the Victorian Baccalaureate and consideration of international study and work as reasons.
The introduction of the Victorian Baccalaureate acknowledges students with high achievements in a combination of subjects (English, languages, mathematics, science and technology). Please find more information on http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/VCE_Baccalaureate_FAQs.doc
The survey also confirmed our strong support for their background languages as many students are keen to continue the study of their native language in VCE.
Another pathway option was introduced at the end of 2014. The VET in VCE program will now allow students to have their national qualification acknowledged in their VCE. They need to complete the Certificate II in Applied Language in Year 10 and the completion of CERTIFICATE III in Applied Language in Year 11 will add an increment of 10 % of the student’s top four subjects to the ATAR. (The VCAA website introduces the certificates as program 1 and 2).
The demands of our global world have been recognized with these new initiatives and students are strongly encouraged to continue the study of languages for personal future benefits.
If you have any further questions, please contact me on 8520 9000 or send an email to fow@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au. The upcoming VCE information night will offer another opportunity to discuss your son’s/daughter’s pathway.
SPANISH VISITORS PROVIDE A TASTE OF SPAIN
Our Spanish teachers have been visiting many classes during the last three weeks, while the students were fully involved in every day school life at McKinnon. They all enjoyed the experience of getting to know our school, the country’s natural beauty and they even made it to Sydney for a day, thanks to Ms Enoka Fernando, one of our generous host parents.
In the last week of their visit, our Spanish teachers provided the McKinnon staff with a treat - a taste of Spanish Paella for lunch! We would like to thank Ms Marta Pena Garrido and Mr Jesus Checa Salcedo for their generosity and the culinary experience.
They will be leaving us this weekend and we would like to thank them for the contributions they made over the past three weeks. We wish them all a safe trip back to Spain and are looking forward to continuing our collaboration.
Andrea Fowler
Head of Languages
FRENCH MODEL UN CONFERENCE 2015
On Friday 24 July, four Year 12 students of French attended the French Model UN Conference organised by United Nations of Australia and the Association of French Teachers in Victoria, the Department of Education and Training at the University of Melbourne.
The topic of the conference was refugees, a very pertinent political question on a National and International scale. Our students: Liss Gibert, Greta Skahill, Abhipree Sharma and Mariel Beiers represented Lebanon. Prior to the conference, they worked diligently to understand the question of refugees from a Lebanese perspective and then, they discussed the position they would adopt, as delegates from Lebanon during the UN talks.
The conference was entirely held in French. A representative of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre opened the talks by discussing in French the current situation of refugees in Australia. Then, delegates of francophone countries exposed their countries views and discussed amendments to the resolution and voted on the final text.
The girls' participation in this experience in quite remarkable. Not only does it demonstrate a high level of understanding and strong communication skills in French, it requires a global perspective and thoughtful consideration of a very topical issue facing both Australia and the world. Congratulations Liss, Greta, Abhipree and Mariel on your involvement in this fantastic learning opportunity.
Pierrick Hubert
Teacher of French
Languages Assistant KLA
GERMANY DAY OUT
Year 9 and 10 is a critical time for language learners in Australia. At McKinnon we acknowledge that by taking our German students on the annual German Day Out.
The day begins with a presentation at the Melbourne Town Hall, with many other schools across Victoria in attendance. It concludes with a German film at the charming Forum Theatre.
The Melbourne Town Hall provided the opportunity for students to be as informed as possible about their choices regarding their language learning futures. What became evident was that language learning in Australia is no longer just valuable but it is becoming a necessity.
Students heard from fellow students who had received study abroad scholarships and grants for further study, all of which are available to our students to apply for. They heard from former students who have made outstanding starts to their careers because of their language learning. The message of one particular speaker resonated with our group in particular, “keep at it, as you never know where your life will take you”.
Following the presentation our group ventured through the city for a special screening of “Im Spinnwebhaus” (In the Spider Web House). Being somewhat arthouse in style, many of the students wrestled with the the different themes that were portrayed in the film and when the subtitle track stopped working half way through the film, a murmur grew throughout the audience. However, our students persisted with just the German audio and showed terrific curiosity and resilience. Many students were surprised by how much they had understood and it made for great train conversation on the journey home.
We are confident that this event has informed our students of the critical choices that they will be making in the years to come.
Joshua Kamener
German Teacher