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French Forward Conference: Inspiring New Directions for French at Koonung Secondary College

By Isabel Rice

On Thursday 27 November, I had the opportunity to attend the French Forward: Teaching and Learning French in a Changing World conference at Melbourne University, organised by the Association of French Teachers in Victoria. The event brought together educators and members of the French-speaking community to explore fresh ideas, innovative tools, and new ways to strengthen the future of French teaching in Victoria.

The day was filled with collaborative discussions and practical workshops, offering valuable insights into how we can continue to support our students and each other. The conference highlighted the importance of staying connected as educators and being open to new approaches that enhance learning.

It was also a wonderful chance to place Koonung Secondary College’s French Department on the map as a forward-thinking, engaged, and creative learning community. One of the standout sessions was the presentation by Koonung’s Head of Language Department Nadège Debax and former Koonung teacher Miriam Saward, titled: “From burnout to boost: harnessing AI to enhance teaching and learning.”

The room was too small for the huge public who wanted to hear them! They gave valuable tips on how to efficiently use AI and which tools to use to create different types of lessons and demonstrated how artificial intelligence can:

· save teachers time in planning and creating resources,

· personalise learning for students,

· reduce workload and stress, and

· help maintain creativity and motivation.

Their message was reassuring: AI is not here to replace teachers, but to be used as a tool to support us and give more space to our creativity.

Another highlight was Lucie Dickens’ presentation Transforming French Teaching and Learning with the Assistance of a Custom Chatbot: A New Way to Engage Students on the use of chatbots in language learning. I have to admit I was quite opposed to the idea at first. But Lucie told us how she was part of the first teaching team in Victoria to create their own chat bot. It is a sort of private and safe Chat GPT fed with the curriculum and any booklets the teachers work with. She demonstrated how this tool can offer students 24/7 opportunities to practise French and ask questions in safe and judgement-free interaction, to increase confidence, personalise learning and offer engaging tasks, providing the students are being taught prompt literacy.

After these two presentations/workshops I am convinced that this technology opens exciting possibilities for Koonung, helping us integrate digital learning in a meaningful and student-friendly way that also supports our teachers!

The conference confirmed that our department is moving in the right direction: innovative, proactive, and committed to high-quality French education. The ideas shared during French Forward will help us:

· expand our use of educational technologies,

· design more dynamic learning experiences,

· develop creative projects that set us apart, and

· continue contributing to the broader French-speaking community in Victoria.

French Forward was not just an event; it was a boost of energy and inspiration on my journey as a French Assistant. We return with new tools, fresh perspectives, and a shared motivation to make French at Koonung Secondary College shine even brighter.