Faculty News -
Languages

News From Languages

VCE Languages Results 2021

Again, our Mazenod Languages students’ hard work was evident in the exceptionally good results achieved in 2021. Our Chinese students’ online conversation practise paid off as their Oral Exam scores were above state averages, Italian students’ excelled in their Written Exam component and our Japanese students were well above state averages in both written and oral components. Congratulations to our top scorers; Brennan Ewe, Daniel Plowman and Kei Hopper.

Transition Fun

The Languages Faculty ended 2021 with some activities that promoted language and culture. Japanese classes studied the main ingredients in Onigiri, Takoyaki and

カレーライス and then attempted to make their own. They also mastered the art of Japanese calligraphy as a way to study characters. The Italian classes studied what was involved in the creation of Tiramisu and many tasted the Italian specialty desert for the first time. During transition, Chinese junior classes learned how to make Chinese Blow Painting. Students created their first ever Plum Blossom paintings, they also learned that Chinese people believe that the Plum Blossom is a symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Everyone was extremely proud of their artwork at the end. Chinese senior classes were exposed to a traditional and the most popular street food Jianbing. Everyone tasted and enjoyed the Jianbing, and many students had a go and cooked this popular food themselves. The unique smells and tastes of Jianbing and the experience of making it together in the Chinese classroom will accompany students for a lifelong.

Please enjoy the photos of these activities below.

Japanese Poster Competition

There is a chance for your art skills to be put on display. Students studying Japanese are invited to design a poster to be used on the front cover of the 2022 JLTAV (Japanese Language Teachers Association of Victoria) Annual Conference book for conference delegates and the front cover of the 2022 Year 12 Morning book.

Students are encouraged to be creative and to design a cover which reflects the Japanese language or Japanese culture. This is broad to enable students to be creative. For example, students might like to design a cover in manga style. Students are able to submit a digital or hand drawn cover design. Please note that students are not able to use images that are already copyright (e.g. Hello Kitty etc.). No words are required on the poster. Size: A4 size (portrait size only)

Entry is free and open to all JLTAV member schools which Mazenod is one. Up to five entries per school. Due on the 1st of March. Please get your entry to Miss Bonica before the due date.

Judging criteria

A creative design reflecting the Japanese language or culture
A4 size (portrait size only)
No use of copyright images
Individual entries only will be accepted

Meiji Gaguen University Intern Program

In 2020 we began a trial Conversation Lounge exchange program online with students from Meiji Gaguen University in Yokohama. This program has continued and strengthened. This year we have three Japanese University students joining our Year 10, 11 and 12 online to exchange conversations. All the students will speak on a number of topics and in both English and Japanese. The language skills are not the only skills being mastered by our students but also social skills and the skill of speaking our own language clearly and in a way all can understand.

We hope that one of the Japanese university students will be able to join us physically at the college from April to September as an intern who will assist in the Japanese classes. If any families are interested in hosting for a four-week period during that time please get in contact with Ms Bonica. Your hospitality and generosity will be appreciated.