Languages Week

By Ms Michele Sharp, Head of Languages

During Languages Week we celebrated and explored the languages and cultures in our community. In Australia we are lucky to have a rich linguistic heritage with Aboriginal languages that have been spoken for over 10,000 years, and according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, “In 2016, there were over 300 separately identified languages spoken in Australian homes. More than one-fifth (21%) of Australians spoke a language other than English at home”. Being a multicultural country, cultural diversity is something that we often take for granted. Therefore, Languages Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of language learning and highlight this linguistic diversity in our community.

During Week 5, students were involved in additional activities to highlight this special week. This included experiencing cultural activities in Languages classes such as the Japanese Language Assistant, Ayumi Oka, explaining and playing the Shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument. Our Languages Captains organised a language and culture themed Kahoot for all Senior School students to complete in Mentor time, and as part of our collaboration with the library for Book Week, on Wednesday the Languages teachers ran a wide range of activities at lunchtime in the library. These included making mini panda sculptures, creating French themed paper weights, chopstick races, making Spanish friendship bracelets, and a La Tomatina inspired carnival game. Students also had the opportunity to try a new language with Welsh and Afrikaans on offer. On Friday, students were able to participate in either a cultural dress or Book Week dress up.

I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the hard work of our Languages students and teachers. I would also like to thank the Library for collaborating, and the canteen for developing a special menu for the week.

The more languages you know, the more human you are. —Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk