Posted in CGGS Newsletter 24 - 22 August 2008
YEAR 7 LANGUAGES DAY
On the morning of 28 July, some 170 Year 7 students took part in a Languages Day organised by the Languages Faculty. The aim of the day was to allow students to sample some of the languages and cultures they have not yet studied during the course of the year. They were treated to a session in the three other languages they had not studied in Semester 1.
In French, students learnt about body parts by taking part in an aerobics session and used a variety of games and songs to learn about fruit and numbers.
For German, students participated in a drama workshop, in which they learnt some new words via circle games; learnt how to greet each other; produced ‘freeze frames’ for German words used in English; and watched a highly entertaining video about the culture of the country.
On offer was a Japanese workshop, whereby students made origami flowers to be put on a plum tree (Ume), sang songs and participated in traditional games played in Japan.
Students in the Latin sessions learnt how words with Latin origins can be found in English and the Romance Languages.
For the final session all students came together in the Multimedia Theatre to have an overview of the study tours which older students have participated in for French, German, Japanese and Latin. They also watched excerpts from the Year 8 Languages Night on video, and last but not least, there were prizes for cracking a code.
Some of the comments made by the Year 7 students who participated were “awesome” and “an incredible day”.
Rhiannon Richards
Languages Faculty
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 24 - 22 August 2008
Posted CGGS Newsletter No. 20 - 25 July 2008
LANGUAGES SURVEY
As part of our ongoing evaluation of curriculum and the programs that we offer, we are currently undertaking a Languages Review. As part of this Review we will consider the language choices available to students and the future directions of the Languages curriculum. One of the tools that we are using to inform our decision-making process is a survey which will be offered to all parents and will be administered to a cross-section of Junior School and Senior School students. We value your opinions and ideas and would appreciate it if you could take time to complete this survey.
Please click on the following link for access: Languages Survey
(If this hyperlink does not work for you, copy and paste into your web browser this web address: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=e_2bK_2bq2Z0xehakuQ58_2bqyyA_3d_3d
AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 MINUTES - YEAR 8 LANGUAGES EVENING
Last term was a busy one in the Languages Faculty and culminated with the Year 8 Languages Evening on Wednesday 25 June. This is always a star-studded, multilingual event; however, this year, with the addition of Latin to our Faculty, we were able to take viewers not only to France, Germany and Japan, but also to Ancient Rome! Year 8 gave some fantastic performances, showing off their linguistic skills and most importantly, having a lot of fun.
This year, Ms Richards’ German class entertained us with a lively skit about finding the ideal pet and examined the virtues of a range of possibilities, including pet rocks! Georgia Antonopoulos was unrecognisable as the rotund, balding pet shop owner! Mrs Davidson’s Japanese class took us back to Ancient Japan with the 1000 year old folktale, Momotaroo, the Peach Boy. The students looked great in their yukata, kindly loaned to us by the Japanese Embassy and June Choi gave a convincing performance as the demon.
The French classes gave two very different performances. Ms Richards’ class presented us with an adaptation of Madeline where Soeur Clavel saved Madeline from mischief. Mrs Fifield’s class gave a very dramatic rendition of the French revolution, where Sanchia Toua was a very regal Marie Antoinette who (not surprisingly!) came to a sticky end. Special mention must go to Xara Kaye, Madeleine Boxall, Felicity Gent and Kate Melville who prepared the script and directed the performance.
Latin joined in with Rome’s Got Talent where class members sang a poem by Catullus. We were also entertained with MacDonaldo est fundus (Old McDonald Had a Farm) who were accompanied by some very realistic animal noises, members of the class playing musical instruments and the audience, who sang along in Latin!
Here’s what Year 8 had to say about the experience:
“The Languages Evening was a lot of fun. The aspect I most enjoyed was being able to experience different stories from cultures around the world.”
“I really enjoyed preparing for the Languages Evening and also performing. I made new friends and had a great sense of achievement afterwards.”
“I enjoyed watching the performances of other classes and trying to figure out what they meant as well as hearing the difference between German and the other languages.”
“It was a great chance to show our parents what we had learnt and also work together as a class.”
“The Languages Evening was very entertaining. Everyone was really enthusiastic and spoke really clearly. The actual plays were funny and I learnt how important props are in order to understand what’s happening.”
Many thanks must go to Year 12 Language students Leah Winnett, Fiona Yee and Rebecca Waldron who did a fantastic job of compering the evening and keeping the audience entertained between acts with amusing anecdotes about Languages. Thanks must also go to all Year 8 Language students and to Mr Dodds, Mrs Fifield, Ms Richards and Mrs Davidson for their hard work and enthusiasm.
Kate Montgomery
Joint Acting Head of Languages Faculty
Click here to return to CGGS Newsletter No, 20 - 25 July 2008
Posted CGGS Newsletter No. 17 - 13 June 2008
JAPANESE ASSISTANT TEACHER REQUIRES HOMESTAY
The Languages Faculty provides authentic activities through learning tools such as overseas trips and exchanges. Another facet to the Language Program, when the opportunity arises, is to engage an Assistant Teacher who is a native speaker to work with the teachers and students in the classroom for a set period of time.
Working with native speakers benefits students by offering a broader exposure to the language, traditions and customs of that country. This year an Assistant Teacher from Japan will be working with the Japanese teachers from the beginning of Term 3.
Assistant Teachers are self-funded, but need homestays to facilitate their visit to Australia. We are looking for families who would be willing to offer a homestay to the new Assistant Teacher, Eriko, for a period of two months. If you are able to offer a homestay for any two-month period commencing in late July this year until July 2009, please contact Heidi Vellnagel by email heidi.vellnagel@cggs.act.edu.au
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter No. 17 - 13 June 2008
Click here to return to 'In the News'
Click here to return to Sport News
%20web.jpg)
%20web.jpg)
%20web.jpg)
%20web.jpg)
