Celebrating Languages Week

Languages Week happens in  August every year and is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of language and highlight the linguistic diversity in our community. At Kalamunda Senior High School, we celebrate multiculturalism and bilingualism and acknowledge the diverse backgrounds of our students. There are many students and staff within our own school community that hear or speak another language at home; this may be of grandparents, neighbours, friends, aunts or uncles, and parents.

Our world is becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent. Language learning is an essential skill for life in the 21st century, helping us to broaden personal, social, cultural and employment opportunities. Having the basics to speak another language and intercultural awareness and competencies will provide students with an extra “door” or pathway. Language and culture skills are a necessity in becoming a global citizen of the world.

With more than 240 languages and dialects spoken in Western Australia today, Languages Week was a chance to explore and celebrate language learning.

Italian Excursion- Feeding the mind and the belly!

The Certificate III Italian students had an excursion to WA State Library to explore the foreign language book section and also learn about what other resources are available for their future studies. We had a personalised tour throughout the library where students had the opportunity to learn about the Discovery Lounge and Western Australian resources in the Alexander Library section. Throughout this section, which is a temperature controlled environment, students had access to maps, historical newspapers and preserved digitalised version which date back to the late 1800s. Students were allowed access into the microfilm room where hundreds of Western Australian newspapers are preserved on microfilm. Students had fun looking for the newspaper that was published on their birthdays.

Students really enjoyed the learning literacy and language resources. In addition to these, migration stories about war brides, Chinese migrants, Afghan cameleers, European settlement, the 1970s migration wave and post war migration history were areas of interest for the Italian students. Knowing that there are an abundant resources found on the WA State Library portal has inspired students to sought more information about history, migration and their own identities.

After our tour we ventured out to Charlie’s Italian Supermarket in Morley. Students were given a personal tour around the supermarket, learning about the Italian and other European products, how Charlie (the owner) established the business and about the most unique and popular products. Students were amazed at the variety of Italian biscuits, pasta, cheeses, cold meats and jarred goods.

If you have not visited Charlie’s Supermarket, I highly recommend going there for a look. There are wonderful, authentic products, Dolce e Salato (pizza/sweet pastry shop) and a butcher shop that has won many awards for their quality meat. It’s an exciting shop to visit and full of authenticity and Italianita.

Our simulated trip to Italy!

In celebration of Languages Week, Francesca my languages assistant and myself decided to transform the classroom into an aeroplane and take our students to Italy. We set the seats up in rows as well as created boarding passes for entry. Students were greeted by Francesca and myself wearing our special Air Italia hostess costumes and pilot badges. Students were really excited to see what was in store for them! Safety instructions for take- off and landing were spoken in Italian and the sound and visual effects were put into place. Here is a glimpse of the itinerary and what students learnt about along the way:

• Roman landscape (Rome)
• Florence rock festival (Florence)
• Trulli and the tarantella (Puglia region)
• Spaghetti alla Bolognese (Bologna)
• A cello performance in the arena (Verona)

Students were very good travellers and particularly enjoyed the Italian snacks throughout the flight.

Celebrating the beauty of our students!

My Year 7, 11 and 12 Italian students had the pleasure of meeting Year 7 student, Daniel Dunn. Daniel displayed such pride and joy when talking about his Aboriginal heritage. Daniel also introduced us all to a special book that his great grandfather wrote, Pilbara Bushman: The Life Experience of W. Dunn. An intriguing story of part-Aboriginal pastoralist Billy Dunn. While working with Pilbara pioneers. Mr Dunn was encouraged to learn and to achieve.  He graduated to managing stock stations and ultimately he achieved ownership of his own station. As Daniel read sections of this book, we learnt about the harsh outback landscape, the richness of the land and also the majestic blue ranges and scouring river beds of the Pilbara. It is more than a story of memories in the outback, it's a collective reminder of the true Australian Spirit. With our resilience, courage and wild hearts that survive the harsh and at times unforgiving terrains that ultimately make us who we are. It was a privilege to listen to Daniel reading a book very sentimental for him and his family.

Daniel taught the students the language from Bunjima Country and of the Nyiyaparli people. It was beautiful listening to his pronunciation and then comparing it to the Italian language. Daniel also brought in photos of Weeli Wolli CreekBunjima Country and his family.

Thank you Daniel for being an amazing part of Languages Week.

 Words we learnt from Daniel

• Kaja`- elder brother
• Jankurna- emu
• Moola- moon
• Goonabundi- It doesn’t look good
• Jada- elderly lady
• Mara- hand
• Munga- grandfather
• Goondat- grandmother
• Gunaji- thunder

Maria Pennington
Teacher in Charge of Languages