Languages

What will we remember of this year?

“With an additional language in their pockets, Loreto women of the future are poised to serve as global citizens.” “As their language skills grow, students learn how to think critically and creatively.”

While so much focus was placed on the challenges that affected our routines and our existing structures, thanks to our school’s educational philosophy and our flexible and infinite mindset, we conclude this year with many successes to tell.

Through the study of languages, Loreto Normanhurst students truly embody the moral purpose of the school to form graduates who are ‘Compassionate Warriors,’ particularly women of grit, creativity, independent thinking, and voice. With an additional language in their pockets, Loreto women of the future are poised to serve as global citizens. During the process of acquiring a new language, our students develop not only the ability to communicate but also resilience, self-regulation, global perspectives, cultural intelligence, and compassion for the struggles of others. As their language skills grow, students learn how to think critically and creatively in their additional language, strengthening their capacity to approach problems from different angles in their subjects studied in English. For example, in their Trial HSC Examination, French Extension students addressed the question: “La crise sanitaire actuelle a augmenté notre capacité à faire face à l’adversité.” (or: The current health crisis has increased our capacity to confront adversity). Year 10 students and Years 11 and 12 French Continuers students both learned from and shared with others during our virtual exchange. They have made ongoing connections with their buddies, after receiving bilingual thank you cards from the students of Lycée Edouard Herriot and exchanging contact details. Loreto and Edouard Herriot teachers are excited to see the friendships that will blossom from this initiative.

The Year 10 and 11 Italian Continuers students participated in the Flipgrip virtual exchange. The student perspective on this experience was featured in the Mary Word student newspaper. Please see over to read this article!

In Year 8 Chinese, differentiated learning activities have been created to cater for the learning needs of two different groups: students with no prior knowledge or Chinese background, and Chinese heritage students. Our Chinese language assistant has worked together with the classroom teacher and the Chinese heritage students to enrich their learning experience by focusing on their writing and reading skills during some of their scheduled Chinese lessons. All of our junior students demonstrated motivation and determination during Virtual Learning, and returned to school eager to practise their language

skills with their peers and their teachers. In Term 4, at assembly, we also celebrated the winners of the Patricia Webb Poetry Reading Competition which runs every year for all language students from Year 8 to Year 11. The Year 11 continuers of each language recited a shortened version of their poem which was about this year’s school value of Felicity. The Languages teachers at Loreto would like to thank students and parents for the joyful experiences we shared together, and for the precious relationships we will continue to nurture and to treasure.

Mrs Stefania Thomsett Head of Languages

Italian

Over the course of the year, we have had the incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in the Italian language. Our decision to continue studying Italian for the HSC has benefited us in all aspects of our learning as we have further developed our control of language and our knowledge of global culture and diversity, even building international connections through our FlipGrid exchange. We have played Italian games, listened to Italian songs and had profound discussions, all with our amazing teacher. Having such a small class has allowed us to become close and build relationships with each other that make coming to class a joy. Despite the challenges we have faced in 2021 we have made so many memories and have been able to have an incredible year.

Arabella Ahearn and Emma Frank Year 11 Italian Continuers Students

The Mary Word

May 25, 2021

Flipgrid Exchange

BY ARABELLA AHEARN & EMMA FRANK

From late 2020, current Year 11 and 12 Italian students have embarked on a virtual exchange with a school in Bergamo, Italy. To adapt the international exchange to the COVID safe era, we used Flipgrid to exchange videos with the Italian students, speaking in each other’s native languages. It was a great opportunity to practice our speaking skills and test them in a more authentic scenario. Learning from authentic Italian speakers improves our vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation far more effectively than from reading a textbook. This allowed us to learn new languages in a more casual and enjoyable way. We discussed school life, cultural differences, cooking, pastimes and more. Not only was it a chance to bond with these students, but a way to expand our worlds and break down cultural barriers. This experience has provided us with an incredible chance to form a ‘global community’ – meeting people on the other side of the world, learning about different cultural practices and lifestyles and forming connections despite being so far away. In these times that we have never been so divided, with travel bans and many in isolation, it is more important than ever to stay connected. This opportunity is so important for us as Loreto women, especially when looking at social justice this Loreto Day. Being able to forge a sense of interconnectedness between people with so many differences, especially in a time of such great uncertainty, is a great privilege. This ability to connect is something that is so often taken for granted, especially in the modern world, where the ability to speak with people on the other side of the world can happen in a second.

This exchange has given the Year 11 and 12 French and Italian students the opportunity to connect with culture, language and people across the world on a deeper level, forming connections with students just like ourselves and learning about their lives, and about the rich culture that exists outside of stereotypes. The French language students underwent a similar virtual exchange program during this time and have had this to say about their experience: “I found the exchange a really cool experience as not only am I learning about the culture but also making a new friend from a different country in the process. This experience is also helping me with my French skills, especially speaking. I’ve learnt about school life in France as well as the traditions that they have for certain holidays or even for ones that we don’t have here in Australia. I’ve also learned about what people like to do over there and common practices.” Bella, Year 11 French

“It’s been a great opportunity to connect with students similar to us from another country and learn more about their lives and cultures. Hearing a native speaker speak the language helps us with our pronunciation. We can relate to each other because we are learning each other’s language and face similar challenges.” Eva, Year 11 French

Infine, vogliamo ringraziare gli studenti di Bergamo per questa esperienza fantastica. Ci ha aiutato di imparare italiano autenticamente ed era una opportunità di incontrare tanti personaggi belli. A prestissimo! Un bacione, Arabella e Emma.

French

Over the past year, we have been fortunate enough to be immersed in the French language and culture, despite the pandemic. From a virtual exchange to excursions (back when we could leave school grounds), French has given us the opportunity to explore new avenues that we wouldn’t have had in other subjects. We have acquired the ability to comfortably communicate in French which will allow us the chance to travel around the world (now that borders are open), as French is a global language. Moreover, the connections we have made with students from both France and French Australians have enabled us to create a network of support and encouragement as we approach our final year of school. We have thoroughly enjoyed the class, our amazing teacher and the language itself, and can’t wait to see what the future holds with our French language supporting us.

Eva Frith & Ella Horneman Year 11 French Continuers students

Chinese

We really enjoyed studying Chinese this year. We don’t only learn the language, but also about Chinese culture. It has been enlightening to analyse the differences between Australian and Chinese cultures and be exposed to new traditions and customs. We have tasted delicious Chinese food, including sticky rice dumplings made by our language assistant for the Dragon Boat Festival. To practise our listening skills, we watched Chinese TV shows and even Hollywood movies like the new Marvel movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. To improve our writing skills, we regularly exchanged pen pal letters with Riverview students. We have also built a very strong sense of community in our class by working collaboratively and speaking in Chinese with each other. At the beginning of this year, we went to the city as part of our excursion, where we saw the Chinese Garden, went shopping at Paddy’s Market, had lunch at Yum Cha followed by Cha time in Chinatown.

Michelle Hoffman, Audrey Kha & Zoe Milne Year 11 Chinese Continuers students