LOTE (Chinese) 

As part of our intercultural learning in LOTE (Chinese), students across Prep to Year 6 explored two meaningful celebrations and commemorations during Term 2 - Mother's Day and ANZAC Day, while making connections with similar traditions in Chinese culture.

They learned how to say 'Mum, I love you! (妈妈，我爱你! māma, wǒ ài nǐ)' and 'the Mother's Day card (母亲节卡 mǔ qīn jié kǎ)' in Chinese, and created thoughtful cards and craft activities to express their gratitude and appreciation for their mothers and caregivers. Through class discussions, students reflected on the importance of family values in both Australian and Chinese cultures.

In conjunction with the ANZAC Day inquiry, students also used their critical thinking skills when comparing the significance of ANZAC Day (澳新建军节 ào xīn jiàn jūn jié) in Australia with Chinese Army Day (zhōng guó jiàn jūn jié 中国建军节) through a Venn diagram. Chinese Army Day is celebrated every year on 1st August in China with a national military parade. 

Year 3-6 students explored the historical background of both commemorations and discussed how different countries honour bravery, mateship and sacrifice in similar ways. In addition, Prep and Year 2 students had the opportunity to make an authentic ANZAC wreath as a whole class during the LOTE session. This unit of inquiry encouraged students to develop intercultural understanding while recognising the shared values of respect, remembrance, and national pride across cultures.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and incredible effort, and I look forward to sharing more highlights of our LOTE program with the school community towards the end of this term.