LANGUAGES

THE LANGUAGE TEACHER OF THE FORNIGHT: KAREN BARES

What is your first language? English

Where did you learn a language or languages other than your first language? Latvian - When I was little, we had a nanny who couldn’t speak English at all. She only spoke Latvian which was my mother’s first language. I learnt Latvian from my mother and my nanny at home. I also went to Latvian Saturday school for a couple of years. 

French - French is my dad’s first language as he was born in the French-speaking part of Belgium. I learnt French at school and continued on with it through university and into my teaching degree.

Spanish - This is my current project. I have been learning Spanish online (Duolingo) for almost 500 days and I do a minimum of 15 minutes every day! I am pretty excited about my fourth language as I intend to travel to Spain as soon as it’s safe!

What advice would you give to students wanting to improve their ability in the language(s) they are studying? You just need to do a little bit every day. We learn our first language through interactions every day. It doesn’t need to be a lot, but it needs to be regular. 

Why do you think it is important to study a language? Languages are the doorway to understanding other people and cultures. If you go and visit other countries, I would expect you to be able to understand some basic things just like we hope that people who come here are able to understand a little bit of our language. 

Why did you choose to become a language teacher? I love it!

Is there anything else you would like to add? Just what Nelson Mandela said: If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart. 

GABRIEL CHANEL FASHION MANIFESTO

For anyone interested in things French, in fashion, in design and in beautiful clothes, the Chanel exhibition at the NGV is well worth a visit before it closes on the 25 April. Dresses created by Gabrielle Chanel in the 1920s and 1930s look as if they were designed yesterday; this exhibition will make you realise that she laid the foundation for the modern style of dressing for women. 

AN ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE - VAN GOGH AT THE LUME

The Lume Melbourne - Van Gogh 

If you are interested in art and you want to be transported to the south of France by the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, the digital exhibition at the Lume is worth a visit. 

You can sit in a reproduction of this famous cafe in Arles and allow the paintings to wash over you while listening to the accompanying soundtrack. Travelling may have been limited over the past two years, but this is a way to travel mentally.

THE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 

When: 3rd March - 6th April

Where: Melbourne, various locations

Jenny Lynd

Head of Languages

EDUCATION PERFECT LANGUAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

For those who are new to school, the Education Perfect Languages Championships is more than just an event at McKinnon Secondary College, it's tradition. Every year, for a week, everyone (teachers and staff included!) log in to Education Perfect and answer as many questions as possible to collect points. Even if you don't study a language, you can participate.

Last year, we reached first place on the leaderboard and we were crowned world champion! This year, we will show the world we can do this again. This is why we need everyone to participate! 

I will be sending more emails to students and staff in the next two weeks to make sure everyone is ready to go when the competition starts. There will also be plenty of surprises so don't miss out!

Thank you very much.

Monsieur Chamontin

French Teacher