Learning Languages Newsletter December 2013

NEWSLETTER Vol-5 | 6 December 2013

Spanish Language

Meeting the

Chinese Language

German Scholarship

New Japanese Lan-

Stage de

News

Challenge

News

awarded

guage Advisor

NoumĂŠa

Spanish cinema workshop well received. Upcoming Salamanca scholarships in July 2014.

ILEP 2013 conference for language teachers an outstanding success.

Chinese Painting, cultural research project and Cultural Picnic featured in three articles.

Pakuranga College student receives German language scholarship including a four week visit to Germany

We welcome Akiko Harada, new National Language Advisor of Japanese at ILEP.

New Caledonia immersive experience for teachers of French language.

Applications for 2014 are open now.

Read more here

Read more here

Read more here

Read more here

Read more here

Read more here

cinema in Spanish.

Course on Spanish language and cinema If you are interested in participating in a Spanish language ILEP and the Ministry of Education of New Zealand in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Spain and the

workshop as well, please find more information on our homepage or contact Maria Mitenkova at admin@ilep.ac.nz.

Department of Spanish of the University of Auckland held a series of three workshops on Spanish language and cinema

for teachers of Spanish in November.

Spanish Immersion Scholarship July 2014

Improve your Spanish and your teaching skills: be immersed in Spanish culture and enjoy a customised pedagogical programme for New Zealand teachers.

A two-week immersion programme is offered to New Zealand teachers of Spanish at the prestigious University of Salamanca, Spain.

Applications are open to everyone, however preference will be giv-

This project is part of the training programme of school teachers of Spanish in New Zealand and promotes the use of

en to teachers who have completed the TPDL programme or similar in-depth PLD programmes, and teachers involved in levels 1 to

4 of the learning languages area of the curriculum.

cinema as a pedagogical tool in the classroom. The purpose is to develop students’ linguistic ability in Spanish and to increase

their

cultural

awareness

of

Spanish-speaking

cultures around the world.

The

training

included

a

Closing dates for applications: End of February, 2014 To apply, complete an ILEP application form. It is available online www.ilep.ac.nz or via email: d.mitenkov@auckland.ac.nz

general

introduction

to

film

techniques, and explanation of critical vocabulary to discuss

09 623 8899 ext. 46 355.

or Tel:

networking with colleagues from across New Zealand and

ILEP conference 2013 a great success

discuss with facilitators what the next challenges might be.

Task-based language teaching and learning in the classroom through real life activities as well as exploring other world views were key topics at the conference Meeting the Challenge: Building on TPDL. Among the one hundred or so

participants,

were

around

80

primary

and

secondary

teachers from around New Zealand, who had successfully completed their one-year TPDL programme. The symposium took place on the 14th of November at Waipuna Conference Centre in Auckland and was hosted by ILEP in co-operation with the Ministry of Education.

The panel discussion “Teachers as leaders” covered topics such as immersion scholarships overseas and taking up leaderships roles in their schools or in the wider Learning Languages community.

The “Teaching Pasifika languages” panel featured three key

speakers: Lata Langi, teacher of Tongan at Southern Cross Campus, Gordon Gallop, learner and teacher of Samoan at Baradine College and Christine Nurminen, Director Pasifika Education Centre. They highlighted the challenge faced in Auckland – the world’s largest Polynesian city – in providing It was a unique opportunity to present, reflect and share new

insights

and

successes,

provided

a

platform

for

more opportunities for students to learn and apply Pacific languages.

In her final address Dr. Rosemary Erlam, Academic Director

Interested primary and secondary school teachers, whether

of TPDL and senior lecturer in the department of applied

new to teaching languages or very experienced, can find

language

further information about the TPDL programme and the

studies

and

linguistics

at

the

University

of

Auckland, demonstrated “Tasks in the New Zealand language

application

form

at

www.tpdl.ac.nz.

The

next

classroom” by showing the work of some participants and

programme is scheduled to start in February 2014.

TPDL

turning the conference room into a classroom. The audience were engaged to solve questions as “¿Qué es?”, Qu’est-ce que c’est?, Was hat sechs Beine, läuft aber auf Vieren?” or “Zhè shì shénme?”

Teacher Professional Development Languages Since 2005 the TPDL programme has been giving teachers who are keen on up-skilling their pedagogy and improve their own language skills the opportunity to learn about the latest language theory and practice. TPDL is a Professional Learning Development (PLD) programme, that complements the official Learning Languages school curriculum. It is run by ILEP, which is managed by Auckland UniServices, and fully funded by the Ministry of Education.

For more information and to apply, please visit tpdl.ac.nz or call +64 9 623 8899 extension 46302 or email tpdl@auckland.ac.nz

This inspiring learning lesson promoted interactive discussion and a high level of enthusiasm amongst all participants. It highlighted how to meet the challenge of teaching foreign languages in a more interesting, effective and sustainable way.

Chinese Language News Chinese Painting This year, the children at Meadowbank School have learned more about Chinese painting. They have been using ink on rice paper, and have learned a variety of brush techniques, such as creating fine lines, thick lines, circles and shading. They have also learned about the four treasures of the study (文房四宝 Wénfángsìbǎo, which includes paper, brush, ink and inkstone) and about the history of seal cutting (篆刻Zhuànkè, red stamps). The children had a great deal of fun painting various vegetables and fruit, including grapes, mandarins and pumpkins.

Chinese Culture Research Project

The students of Meadowbank School have worked on research projects relating to Chinese culture. This has involved using information technology. For example, they have learned more about finding information effectively on the iPad. The children were eager to explore the topic area, and they raised many interesting questions, such as “Do Chinese people eat rice with chopsticks”? and “Is the dragon a real animal”? The children worked in groups to explore a diverse range of self-selected topics, including Chinese history, the dynasties, the four great inventions, festivals, food and clothing. They were very enthusiastic and worked hard, producing some amazing results in the form of posters and booklets as well as presentations.

Cultural Picnic Meadowbank School had its cultural picnic on November 28th. It was a big community event involving all the families, teachers and

students. The teachers were in charge of the cultural groups, and there were four meetings with the students prior to the picnic. At the meetings, the students investigated different cultures and learned some simple greetings. On the night, families came along with plates of food from different countries, and were given the opportunity to sample foods from other places.

The students gave cultural performances later in the night.

These included a Chinese umbrella dance, a martial arts display, a Korean traditional instrument performance, an American cowboy dance and an Indian Bollywood dance. The cultural picnic was a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange. It was a fun and informative evening that helped us all to value and respect the different cultures that make up New Zealand.

New Chinese Language Assistant at ILEP Tracy Zhang has recently joined ILEP as Chinese Assistant, coming from Tianjin in China.

She is assisting Yu Wang, Chinese National Advisor, in providing regular Chinese language courses and workshops for teachers and establishing a database of Chinese Teaching Resources.

Tracy is a student at the University of Nankai.

Her first impression of New Zealand is that it is a very beautiful country with blue sky and many old trees. People are very kind and welcoming.

Tracy will be based in ILEP’s Auckland office.

You can email her at: chineseassist@ilep.ac.nz

German language scholarship awarded

out that everyone was really pro at German and knew fancy vocabulary that I didn't know.”

Lillian Guo, year 13, is the recipient of the Pädagogischer

However, to her surprise, a few months later she received the

Austauschdienst scholarship, an award which includes a four

good news. “I was told later that I used words they didn't

week tour around Germany covering all expenses. Lillian is

know either!” she laughs, referring to the other applicants. I

elated with the scholarship; however it was a long hard road to

was over the moon with the result. “I didn’t expect it at all as

get there. Initial interviews were held in June last year and

everyone was so good.”

successful applicants were then invited to a second round in Wellington in September 2012.

Lillian’s visit to Germany included a trip to Berlin, Munich, Cologne and even St. Gallan in Switzerland where the Stiftsbibliothek, a stunningly beautiful library which keeps hand-written books from the fourteenth century, is located.

Amongst other things, she saw the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and also the Jewish Memorial Museum. For Lillian, the architecture impressed her the most about Berlin and the last days were bitter-sweet. “I only wished the days didn’t go by so fast,” she said sadly, “It was probably the best month of my life. I met lots of people from all over the world on this trip, and made great friends within my group, people with whom I hope to stay in touch with forever.”

Are you and your school interested in providing German language programmes or would you like to increase your network to Germany? Then contact the German National “The competition was tough,” says Lillian. “There were eighteen people from all over the country. The first day, we just got to know each other by speaking German. It was then that I found

Advisor, Heike Papenthin, at German@ilep.ac.nz.

Welcome Akiko Harada ILEP welcomes Akiko Harada our new National Language Advisor of Japanese. She has vast experience and skill in teaching the language, but also draws from previously held positions in education in Asia and Australia. Her role is to support the development of Japanese language education in New Zealand. In particular with a focus on: 

offering workshops and courses and meetings focusing on teaching materials, resources and pedagogy that promote intercultural communicative language teaching in Japanese



supporting schools with advice and guidance on establishing and sustaining Japanese language programmes



providing information on networking opportunities for teachers of Japanese



providing advice and guidance on immersion opportunities, scholarships and professional learning opportunities both in New Zealand and abroad

Akiko worked and taught at various Universities in Japan, but in talking to her you will find that she has a lot more to offer than strictly teaching advice. She has a passion for the outdoors and the sea and feels that she has come to a great place. Beyond that, she holds a keen interest in education and education systems and would like to explore that side of New Zealand as well, including language policy, curriculum and language teacher’s previous experiences.

Akiko is looking forward to seeing you soon in your region as she travels around New Zealand in the coming months.

We feel that Akiko Harada will greatly contribute to promoting the learning and teaching of Japanese in New Zealand, and we hope that she will be warmly welcomed by the Japanese Language teaching community.

You can contact her through our homepage or send her an email at japanese@ilep.ac.nz こんにちは。私は、日本語アドバイザーの原田 明子です。国際交流基金から派遣され、ILEPの一 員としてニュージーランド日本語教育の普及と 発展のために貢献していきたいと思います。ど うぞ、宜しくお願いします。 I am Akiko Harada, the new National Language Adviser of Japanese. I arrived in New Zealand in October 2013 to take up my appointment with the Japan Foundation. I am now working as a member of the ILEP team and I also have close working relations with the Embassy and Consulate-General.

Apart from teaching Japanese at several universities in Japan, I have also had various educational positions in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Australia. I am happy to support all teachers who are involved in Japanese language education and I am looking forward to a successful stay in New Zealand.

While Japanese is the official and main language used by 127 million people in Japan, there are historical and emigrant communities in South Korea, Taiwan, parts of China, the Philippines, Brazil (the largest emigrant Japanese population with 1.5 million speakers), Peru, Argentina, Australia, Canada and the US.

Stage de Nouméa - Applications for 2014 open now The Stage Nouméa provides a unique and invaluable opportunity to be immersed in French life. Teachers participate in a threeweek long experience in Nouméa led by ILEP. Their accommodation is provided by a New Caledonian family, and their study time is divided between school observations, intercultural inquiry and formal language classes at the University of New Caledonia.

Applications for Stage de Nouméa 2014 are now open and the application process is simple. Go to our website and click PLD opportunities

>>

PLD

Opportunities

abroad

>>

French

programmes >> Stage de Nouméa for more information, to

find out whether your are eligible or not, and to download an application form.

Don’t miss the chance to participate in a unique and fascinating experience. The Stage de Noumea in 2014 will take place in April. Applications are now open. You can also find more information about the programme in our last newsletter (Vol. 4 / October 2013) where we featured an article about this great opportunity.

Coming Up ...

Key Contacts and Links

Chinese Language Workshops

Advisory Support

Chinese National Advisor Yu Wang is going to hold a series of workshops across New Zealand in 2014, including TBLT series in Christchurch (three workshops), Teaching resources creating and editing workshops, Chinese language and film workshops as well as several networking meetings and cluster meetings. Email ILEP to receive additional information.

National Advisers for Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish provide language specific support and can also offer advice about foreign language assistants and scholarship and immersion opportunities for each language.

French Language Workshop Series 2014 New upcoming workshops for French Language Teachers:  Term 1 & 2: WW1 Shared histories Methodology workshop  Term 1 & 3: Reading in French, text types and sources  Term 1: French film festival support workshop  French Immersion days, Term 1: Auckland; Term 2: Christchurch Glenda Palmer is also going to hold several Networking meetings in various regions in Term 2 & 3. More info here.

National Coordinators for Learning Languages, Secondary Student Achievement Contract, focus on effective implementation of the New Zealand Curriculum and the NCEA realigned achievement standards as well as the development of literacy and language practices.  

Northern & Central Regions please contact: Dee Edwards.

Southern & Central South Regions please contact: Jo Guthrie

NZALT The New Zealand Association of Language Teachers offers a nationwide network to support language teachers, including regional meetings, professional development, awards, newsletters, conferences and advocacy on key issues.

Professional Development Opportunities

Japanese Language Upcoming Events New Japanese Language Advisor Akiko Harada is going to hold a number of events in 2014.  Term 1: Resource Sharing & How to use Manga/Anime in class?  Term 2: “Japan & Carnival”  Term 3: Japanese Technology, Immersion Cooking & Wrapping

 Term 4: “Japan Now” If you are interested to learn more, please go to our website. More info here.

Chinese Scholarships 2014 The Chinese and New Zealand Ministries of Education are offering up to 12 scholarships to New Zealand teachers of Chinese to attend a three week intensive language and culture programme in China in January 2014. The programme is targeted towards teachers at the Sustainability stage of the PLD pathway for New Zealand language teachers. More info here.

TPDL (Teacher Professional Development Languages) is a Ministry of Education funded programme aimed at developing teacher language proficiency and second language teaching capabilities in order to improve student language learning outcomes. TPDL is available to beginners as well as language experts.

ILEP (International Languages Exchanges and Pathways) supports schools and teachers to implement the Learning Languages curriculum area, particularly at Years 7—10.

Language Immersion Awards are provided by the Ministry of Education for teachers of languages to undertake immersion experiences overseas. Further details are available at the AFS website.

Don't forget! Check out the Learning Languages Website for regular updates and more information.