Languages

Most language lessons are held in Morphett 22. Fisher German lessons are held on Thursdays and Fridays and a group of students also attend the Greek Language program each Thursday afternoon. Google Classrooms have been set up for both German and Greek to share announcements, pose questions and give feedback. Students are encouraged to check Google Classroom regularly to access language materials outside of the lesson time and extend their learning beyond the classroom. It is a valuable means of communication where additional information and resources can be shared.

Please ask about your child’s German and Greek lessons and encourage them to tell you about what they have been learning.

German

German this semester will be highly interactive with students engaging in many different opportunities to enable them to communicate their ideas and opinions about a range of topics including themselves, leisure activities, food, school and their neighbourhood. They will be exposed to texts in a variety of formats with the expectation that they are building their comprehension as well as their vocabulary on a weekly basis.

Students will be creating many different texts in multiple formats and have the opportunity to enter a video in the 2019 School Film Competition. Observing similarities and differences between languages will assist students to take risks when creating texts and thus extend their language. Explicit teaching of grammar will support students to build their knowledge of sentence structures and thus enable them to express their ideas more precisely and in greater detail.

As is tradition, Year 7 students will create beautiful Schultüten as gifts for our new Reception students to welcome them to our school. The Schultüten will be presented to Receptions by our senior students at the last assembly of term.

Kim Martin

Greek

Students will participate in structured, collaborative tasks that both revisit and extend language. They will be encouraged to use Modern Greek as the primary language of communication, while English may be used for reflective tasks and explanations.

Students will explore cultural elements of communication, and use information and communication technologies (ICT) to support and enhance their learning. They will initiate interactions, exchange information with peers expressing ideas and opinions, and aspects of daily life, school, friends and hobbies.

This term, students will focus on getting to know their peers and will work on an ALL ABOUT Me assignment where they will use their knowledge and skills to exchange information about themselves using various platforms such as a role play, dialogue, letter writing or oral presentation.

Furthermore, students will obtain and organise information about aspects of daily life and significant events from written, spoken or digital texts such as advertisements and Greek celebrations.

Students will discuss the meaning of culture and how it involves visible elements such as food, dancing and language as well as invisible elements such as values and beliefs. There will be a particular emphasis on Καθαρά Δευτέρα, Σαρακοστή, Των Βαΐων

Due to its popularity, OPA Thursday will return and take place at lunch time in the gym throughout the semester. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to join in the experience of Greek music, dance and culture.

Voula Pagonis