Language Opportunities at MGC
All languages are good languages – and increasingly important in a competitive, global world. At MGC we offer French and Chinese from Years 8-12. Unlike many other High Schools, we offer a double load of language in Year 8 so that students can advance more quickly and retain the language they’ve learned during 8 periods in a 2 week cycle. All students report a sense of personal advancement and achievement and see visible gains in their listening, reading/comprehension, writing and speaking skills.
Year 7 students choose a preferred language for Year 8 in late July and whether it’s Chinese (Mandarin) or French, MGC believes that an additional language extends our cultural and linguistic boundaries and allows us to create more personal and sympathetic connection with the world around us and better appreciate the many cultural similarities and differences that prevail in societies around the planet.
After Year 8, Language is an elective and is highly regarded if retention rates in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 are considered, supporting the idea that a continued language pathway to VCE is also a pathway to a broader future. For First Language speakers of other languages, external VCE programs can be integrated into your daughter’s learning program.
Overseas School Study Tours – France Tour: September 2020 and China Tour: September 2021
To give some students a first-hand experience of being in the country, a successful history of staff-led study tours combined with regional homestays or accelerated language study have been part of our MGC tradition.
Next year’s France Study Tour will be led by Monsieur Jason Kohlman. If students/families want to register interest, please contact him at jason.kohlman@mgc.vic.edu.au but a future 2020 French Study Tour Information Evening will be advised in coming newsletters. Students mainly in year 9 and some in Year 10 in 2020 are the target group with a limit of about 24-26 students.
A 2021 China Study Tour is scheduled for the following year (more news will follow)
Language Exchange (French/Chinese)
As an alternative to the short term but intense 2 week study tour, many students elect to go on exchange in Year 10, taking a month/2 months/3 months or even longer to immerse themselves in the language and culture of their dreams and live with a family.
The following groups provide a total service exchange for students wanting to live with a host family while learning language in the home as well as attending a local high school. We recommend this for students in no earlier than Year 10 due to maturity and language proficiency reasons.
Melbourne Girls’ has no vested interest or preference in any of these associated exchange agencies, but students can ask questions of those girls who have been before or attend an information evening with their parents/guardians. Other countries are also chosen by girls and do not just depend on the language they’re learning at school.
WEP – www.wep.org.au (French and Chinese)
Southern Cross Student Exchange - www.thisisscce.com (French and Chinese)
AFX Student Exchange – www.afxstudentexchange.com (French)
Nacel - https://nacel.com.au (French and Chinese)
Chinese language scholarships - Hanban scholarships are also able to be applied for (one term, one semester, one year) for senior students studying VCE Chinese.
Language questions? If you or your family have any further questions, please contact a Year Level Leader or a Language Teacher here at Melbourne Girls’ College.
Tim Macdougall - Head of Languages