LANGUAGES
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE ORAL COMPETITION @ MCKINNON
For VCE students of languages, the oral exams can be daunting and raise many questions and doubts, such as “Will I be confident enough?, What do I do if I don't understand the question? or Have I practised enough?”
The McKinnon Students of VCE French in Years 11 and 12 have had the opportunity to test the waters in preparation for the oral component of the final VCE French exam. Given our large numbers of French language learners at McKinnon, three external examiners came to our school at the start of Term 3 for a conversation and discussion under exam conditions with each of our 47 students.
The Berthe Mouchette Competition (an initiative of Alliance Française to promote the French language and culture in Victoria) is a wonderful opportunity for our students to practice the French language by participating in a competition with great prizes to be won. It is also a great way of finding out what it is like to have a personal conversation with a perfect stranger in a foreign language.
Whilst all of our students have put in a great effort and rose to the challenge of preparing for yet another performance during these busy times leading up to the VCE exams, some did so with excellent results, thus enabling seven of our students to compete in the next and final round. “Bon courage et bonne chance à tous les finalistes!! “
Annette Reid
French Teacher
VCE FRENCH INFORMATION MORNING
On Sunday morning (25 August) the McKinnon students of Year 12 French assembled at the Melbourne Convention Centre where they met with other keen language learners from all over Melbourne to obtain some vital information and strategies for their final examinations. In the early morning ambient one could easily guess their thoughts, i.e. “…Yet another early start to a Sunday morning. No time for a ‘grasse matinée’ and to recover from the pressures of a busy week at school…”.
In addition to receiving reminders of the do’s and don’ts for both oral and written exams, our students had the opportunity to practice some listening and reading passages. The most beneficial part of the event, however, according to our students, was the opportunity to witness the performance of a (mock) oral exam with a courageous Year 12 student in front of the large audience. This gave students an additional insight into what it means to be participating in a conversation/discussion in the oral exams and how a combination of preparation and practice is key to a confident approach.
In conclusion, all students agreed that it was worthwhile to forego the much deserved sleep-in. The summary of exam information and strategy has reassured students that they possess the right tools to maximise their performance in what is going to be the first of a series of final exams.
Annette Reid
French Teacher
FLAMENCO WORKSHOP
On Friday 16 August our Year 9 Spanish students participated in an introduction to Flamenco dancing by a very experienced Flamenco dancer called Maria Manosalvas. During her career Maria got the privilege to dance with a very famous dancer named Joaquin Cortes.
Maria first explained the history and the theory behind “El arte del Flamenco” and the different types of Flamenco dancing. A couple of students also got the opportunity to try on traditional Flamenco dancing dresses and then Maria performed for us an “Alegria”. Finally, it was time for our students to perform and Maria taught the proper moves to a “Sevillanas”. Students had a good time and by the end of the workshop they mastered it.
Maria-Carmen Jimenez Victoria
Spanish/French teacher