Languages Corner

Japanese at GEC

Our Japanese board outside the Languages staffroom has been redecorated by our amazing Language Captains, Leila and Marko. Come by and discover summer in Japan!

Angelika Melches

Japanese Teacher

Winners of the ‘Plat du jour’ concours! 

On Monday 28th July, year 8 students Heloise Roy and Margot Saturnin attended a ceremony at Melbourne Grammar School to celebrate their win in the ‘Plat du jour’ competition, organised by the French Teachers Association. Select year 8 classes spent some weeks exploring Algerian cuisine, history and culture. Margot and Heloise won 3rd place for their video in which they made ‘les cornes de gazelles’, an Algerian cake.  Students from across Victoria received their prizes and were congratulated by the French Consulate, Paule Ignatio. Everyone enjoyed some sweet refreshments. Une très belle après-midi!  

Imogen Bower

French Teacher

Bastille Day

During the first week of term 3, GEC celebrated Bastille Day. In French classes students learned about the events of the French Revolution and the significance of Bastille Day for French people. The Crepes for Change Truck was back at school on 22nd July and students were able to buy delicious crepes while also supporting the amazing work of Crepes for Change in fighting homelessness.

 French Model UN

On 25th July six students from the Year 11 French class - Jess Aitken, Mathis Trevisani, Alice Jayaweera, Camille Duff, Constance Roy, and Isabelle Saturnin - took part in the French Model United Nations, an event where students from various schools represented different countries in a simulated UN General Assembly.

Here is what Alice, Jess and Mathis had to say about the day.

 “Heading into the day, our team was apprehensive as we didn't know what to expect from the conference. Apart from it being our first time attending a Model UN event, we weren't sure how our French skills would compare to those of the other schools.

However, walking in, the atmosphere gave us confidence as everyone was very welcoming, and we felt connected as VCE French learners. Throughout the day we were immersed in speaking the French language and had many opportunities to practise both formal presentation delivery and debate as well as informal discussions with the other teams. Our team, representing Brazil, even succeeded in debating an amendment to the draft UN resolution.

Overall, we thought it was an invaluable chance to practise French conversation, research skills, and public speaking in an inclusive and supportive environment amongst other peers experiencing the same pathway. It was also great to learn about the practice of the UN and how they enforce change to make our world better. It was a great experience!”

Alice, Jess and Mathis Year 11 French 

Berthe Mouchette Competition

Congratulations to Patrick Mills and Qinger Wu, both in year 10, who participated in the finals of the Berthe Mouchette Competition! Bonne chance à vous deux! 

Meanwhile our VCE students and our French First Language students also entered the competition. VCE students participated in a mock VCE exam. Our French First Language students also entered the competition this week by participating in the Prix Special des Ecoles Francaise. They had to write a poem in French about l’Amour! Students wrote beautiful poems expressing their love for friends, families and even chocolate cake! Bonne chance à vous! 

Celine Fompudie

Languages Learning Area Leader