Languages
LISA MILLER
Head of Languages SOPHIE BOISSERY
Coordinator of French DOREEN NG-YAP
Prep Teacher of Chinese
This year the Languages Department has grown and developed in new and interesting ways. We have undertaken an ISQ funded Action Learning Action Research project to answer the question, ‘How do we encourage a love of learning in Years 7 and 8 French and Chinese classes?’ We surveyed students for their opinions, and found that while eLearning is successful as a teaching and learning resource, experiences are the most effective and memorable teaching moments we offer. Students particularly enjoy our lunches at cafés and restaurants, finding them a valuable means to practise the language and culture they have learnt in class. We’ve all thoroughly enjoyed our visits to The Pastry Emporium in Bundall, run by Old Boy Adrian Grazioli, and to Sunny’s Kitchen in the Centre Arcade in Surfers Paradise.
Our survey also showed that study tours such as the Melbourne Chinatown Experience and the China Sojourn have a great effect on student engagement in learning languages. In French, most of the students who joined the New Caledonia Tour in 2012 continued their studies through to Senior in 2015. Action Research has had a positive effect on the Languages Department, allowing Coordinator of French Sophie Boissery to work closely with Year 7 Teacher Paula Henry on the Year 7 French program, and provided time for collaboration between Maths Teacher Kenn Williams and Science Teacher Ben Shin on the Years 7 and 8 Chinese program.
2015 ISQ ACTION LEARNING, ACTION RESEARCH LANGUAGES TEAM
CHINESE REPORT
Year 9 students studied Chinatown in Term Three, competing in a Treasure Hunt that saw them find their way around Australia Fair, in Chinese, and finishing with a lunch at Fukang Chinese Restaurant and a visit to Southport Library. Meanwhile, Year 9 Art student Daniel Bowen completed a fantastic Terracotta Warrior, now on display in the Chinese Classroom. Keriba Bligh took on Fishtank Honours, purchasing goldfish and researching their care. The Year 9 Honours Prize was awarded to Tom Edmunds for his
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL SOUTHPORTONIAN 2015
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