Languages
Two languages are taught at Kilvington: French and Japanese. French is taught in the Junior School from Prep to Year 6. In Year 7, students select to study either Japanese or French as a core subject for two years.
In Years 9 and 10, Languages become electives. The high retention rate of Kilvington students studying a language as a VCE subject indicates how successful the Languages program is and how committed Kilvington is to the study of languages in an increasingly competitive global job market.
CULTURAL DAYS
Every year, our Years 7 and 8 students participate in Cultural Days. These engaging and educational days are designed to provide students of all ethnic backgrounds with the opportunity to learn about and partake in other communities and cultures.
Cultural Days allow students to fully utilise their chosen language in a real-life setting, whilst putting the knowledge learnt in the classroom into practice. This enjoyable, intercultural approach to Languages
helps equip the students for effective participation in a rapidly-changing world.
As part of the Year 7 Cultural Day, students interact with native speakers as presenters in a range of cultural activities, which can range from cooking, manga drawing, calligraphy, workshops, drumming, judo session and pétanque game. Senior students also share their experiences as Language learners and inspire Year 7 students to speak another language.
In Year 8, students studying either French or Japanese work collaboratively in groups to present a showpiece luncheon for the Year 8 Cultural Day. Tasks include planning a menu, cooking the food and preparing a table arrangement featuring the language and culture of France or Japan.
EXCURSIONS
At various levels, students experience the cultural dimension of learning a language by going on excursions to extend their cultural knowledge beyond the classroom.
In Japanese, students may have lunch in the city and watch a movie as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival. French students may attend the French Film Festival and eat at a local crêperie or French café.
The National Gallery of Victoria may also be a perfect outing when offering suitable exhibitions relating to French or Japanese artists. Any opportunities that may arise are considered and may be included as part of the Curriculum.
LANGUAGES CO-CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES
Specific languages-based activities are offered at
lunchtime to support and encourage students with their Language studies:
Prep-Year 2:
French Story Time
Years 3-6:
Junior French club
Years 7-12:
Languages Time
Years 10-12 French
Conversation Group
VCE LANGUAGE ASSISTANT SESSIONS AND TUTORING
All VCE Languages students have one-on-one individual sessions with a native speaker who converses in the target language for 30 minutes on a regular basis. These sessions are part of the VCE curriculum and ensures growing confidence with students’ speaking skills and preparation for oral examinations.
STUDY TOURS
As part of our Global Connections program, Years 9-11 Language students have the opportunity to participate in Study Tours to Japan and France. This program also caters for individual exchange for five weeks.
Not only did I make some incredibly close friends, but it was a fantastic opportunity to develop my Japanese speaking and listening skills. Thank you, Kilvington, for giving me this opportunity!
— Student, Year 12 (study tour to Japan)