LANGUAGES
INTERCULTURAL LANGUAGE SKILLS FOR YOUR CHILD’S LIFE IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Diversity is not only embraced in Australia, but is promoted more and more worldwide in many countries, companies and research departments.
In 2017, the Freiburg resolution confirmed to develop German as a second language further and to support its growth worldwide. It was not only based on economic interests. There are currently over 200 million speakers around the world. German is currently the third most taught language in Australia.
The learning of a language does not only teach words and phrases to communicate but develops an understanding and appreciation of another culture. It allows a learner to observe, effectively participate, compare, evaluate and appreciate other’s culture and their own. New jobs in our global world are just responding to these demands. With businesses stretching out globally, our students will have to show great flexibility in their future and will have to be able to do the same.
The German Chamber of Commerce published in its last annual report an increase of German subsidiaries in Australia. The total number of businesses has risen to 760 in Australia, providing around 100,000 jobs. Many more German companies can be found in the Asia Pacific area.
Language associations and the Goethe Institut Melbourne are providing ongoing support for teachers and students in acquiring the necessary language skill set. Events such as poetry competitions, VCE support courses, Model UN conferences in French and German, scholarships etc. are supporting students in developing cultural intelligence. Our French junior students achieved already amazing results in a poetry competition this year. Current Year 10 German students are competing in ‘Unternehmen Deutsch’, a project that allows students to work with industry, and Year 9 students will participate in the ‘Werbespot’ competition this Term, competing with a created advertising clip. McKinnon supports the study of all background languages and promotes courses with the VSL and other accredited Language schools.
Languages open doors to many more opportunities. Just last week I received two emails from McKinnon students who graduated a few years ago. Several students are currently studying and working in Germany, one is spending a year on a scholarship in Berlin, continuing her language studies with Melbourne University, another one emailed from Switzerland, travelling with a Vietnamese friend and their common language to speak is German.
Increasing the languages skills and opportunities for your child’s future should be a considerable factor when discussing subject selection this term.
Andrea Fowler
KLA Manager Languages
FRENCH EXCHANGE AT SCHOOL - TERM 3 WEEKS 10 AND 11
The French students made the most of their two weeks of Australian school. They attended classes with their exchange partners, as well as helping out in other French classes in the school. The students in Years 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 also had the benefit of getting to know these French kids and interacting with them. They gave presentations on French traditional foods, their region and many other topics, demonstrating just how much of a reciprocal exchange this program really is.
They also were very lucky that some teachers gave up their time to run special lessons just for them. They learnt about Australian politics with Mr Machin and Mr Cukierman. Mrs Wilken put on a cooking demonstration of kangaroo meat and ANZAC biscuits. Ms Papworth had them singing some classic Australian songs and learning about some ex-McKinnon students who are now successful musicians. Mr Jewell taught them about Australian English and colloquialisms - they loved the phrase "kick the bucket"! Mr Hughes and Mr O'Brien informed them about Australia's historical connections with France and the French explorers who reached our shores. Ms Roden enlightened them with images of Australian art and Ms Griffith then gave them an opportunity to create some artworks themselves. Liam Adlington and Tim Oaten gave them a chance to kick, mark and handball a footy as well as playing some cricket, which were very new experiences for them! Ms Mellios talked about our rich Indigenous culture and shared her experiences. Dr Brown helped them see just how big Australia is with some mapping activities. Ms Sweeney introduced them to some native Australian lizards and insects that live in T1.
The students felt very lucky and grateful that the teachers were so generous. They learnt so much and it truly enhanced their time at McKinnon and their understanding of our histories and cultures. To thank these teachers, the French students and their teacher hosted a morning tea on the last day of term. They prepared cakes and snacks and then made lovely comments to each teacher, thanking them personally and talking about what they learnt. It was a lovely moment.
Mrs Binnion, the Principal class, the French teachers and the Year 10 Student Managers also joined the morning tea. The highlight was Mrs Binnion reading some sentences in French to thank the students for their beautiful behaviour and fantastic energy during their time at McKinnon. Speaking in their own language was a lovely gesture and display of global citizenship. Merci Mme Binnion!
Kellie Dickson
French Teacher
FRENCH EXCHANGE EXCURSION - PUFFING BILLY, WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE
The weather was cold but kind for our French guests’ visit to the Dandenong Ranges. First stop was Belgrave Station, where the highlight was not Puffing Billy but a chance meeting with former McKinnon principal Mr Alan Lawrence! The students very much enjoyed the train ride through the eucalypts to Lakeside Station in Emerald. Another highlight was lunch at the renowned bakery in town. For many Frenchies, there was simply too much to choose from! Bushman’s pie or pastie? Lamington or neenish tart? Aussie vanilla slice or apple cake? To conclude the day, the students visited Grant’s Picnic Ground in Sherbrooke. The local cockatoo population was very glad to see them!
Daniel Casey
French Teacher
FRENCH EXCHANGE EXCURSION - CITY, TUESDAY 26 JUNE
On Tuesday 26 June the group of exchange students from Nice had a pleasant day out to the city. Firstly they enjoyed a self-guided tour to the State Library of Victoria and after, they took a little stroll to the Queen's Victoria market. They had some free time to shop souvenirs for their family and friends back in France and experience the market's vibrant atmosphere.
Maria-Carmen Jimenez
French Teacher
FRENCH EXCHANGE EXCURSION - CITY, THURSDAY 28 JUNE
On Thursday 28 June, second last day before the end of term, the French exchange students were about to set off on their final excursion in Australia. Our arrival to Flinders Street was earlier than anticipated. Therefore, we had time to check out the Street Art in one of the famous streets of Melbourne City. We took the French teenagers to the central point of art scene in Melbourne, the renowned internationally cobblestoned ”Hosier Lane” opposite Fed Square, just a step away from Flinders Street Station. Everyone was in awe, fascinated by the screaming, rich colored “graffiti”. Besides the amazing street art our troupe also enjoyed the unique atmosphere and a shopping spree in a “à la mode” streetwear and footwear store “Culture Kings” with countless brands from around the world.
Once plenty of photos were taken and some purchases effected we headed for the famous skyscraper Eureka tower which was our main goal. Located in Southbank, this skyscraper is 297 m high (just a few metres less than the French Eiffel Tower which is 300 m) We did not climb 3600 steps and took a quick ride to the 85th floor of the highest point in the Southern Hemisphere and its Skydeck. Quite a few of us, wanted to test our fear of heights and see Melbourne from a different perspective. The Edge, which is a suspended cube - wall, ceiling and floor all in glass, through which one has a unique panoramic view of the City and the whole bay. Sadly, the city was enveloped in fog so this time we missed out on feeling the rush.
After the Eureka Tower visit, everyone was very hungry. It was time for lunch so we hurried to Southbank Food Court, which had a lot to offer for very hungry tummies.
Our final stop was the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square where the French students displayed a lot of interest in Australian and Aboriginal art. Students spent a while admiring the Field Modern Art exhibition – colourful abstract artwork from 1960s and Colony Frontiers Wars – reflecting on British colonization of Australia.
Some students also wanted to desperately see (not free) “Colony – early Australian settlement” exhibition but we ran out of time. They were however determined to return over their final forthcoming weekend.
On the whole, it was a very successful excursion and every French student was “tout à fait” entirely satisfied with memories of the land down under enriched, and their knowledge enhanced.
A huge thank you to Ms Dickson, the organizer of this very successful, enjoyable and adventurous outing.
Ludmila Antal
French Teacher
FRENCH EXCHANGE FINAL DINNER - TUESDAY 3 JULY
To celebrate the end of the exchange, there was a dinner at Mexico City in Bentleigh to bring together French and McKinnon students as well as their parents. The atmosphere in the room was very warm and positive. One of the parents, Cathy Wever, spoke on behalf of the group to talk about what a fantastic experience it was and to thank everyone involved. The teacher from France, Monsieur Charvet and two French students, Evan and Jeanna, spoke beautifully about their time in Melbourne, showing gratitude and maturity.
Thank you to everyone for attending and for the lovely flowers for Mme Dickson and Mme Antal. Finally, a very big thank you to Alison Clough for organising the dinner.
Kellie Dickson
French Teacher
FRENCH EXCHANGE DEPARTURE - WEDNESDAY 4 JULY
After a very busy three and a half weeks, it was time for the French students to return to Melbourne airport and being their journey home. There were some very full suitcases, laden with Tim Tams and souvenirs. There were tears as the two groups had to separate and send the French kids through the gate, evidence of a very special bond that was formed. Our McKinnon students are now very excited to travel to France to stay with their partners at the end of November this year.
Kellie Dickson
French Teacher
FRENCH MODEL UN CONFERENCE 2018
The Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly during which participants step into the shoes of country ambassadors to the UN and discuss contentious global issues. This year’s conference took place in the Treasury Theatre in Melbourne on Monday 23 July. The theme was "Asylum Seekers and Refugees: A Global Humanitarian Crisis." The entire proceedings was conducted in French, with 120 students from Victorian government and independent schools representing 31 countries. Year 12 students Kavindi Gamage, Jennifer Victor, James Hardy and Veronica Dubinsky represented France. Zoe Bartholomeusz, Elinta Sen, Braydon Ross and Hugo Veselik represented India.
This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to:
- learn in an innovative and involved manner;
- deepen their knowledge and understanding of the UN and global issues;
- practise their public speaking, debating and negotiation skills;
- understand the importance of dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy;
- develop and practise their French language skills.
Their preparation and ability to think quickly and rationally stood them in good stead. They worked well as a team and made valuable contributions to the debate when supporting or making amendments to aspects of the resolution. Our students represented McKinnon with aplomb and maturity. Bravo!
Daniel Casey
French Teacher