LANGUAGES

Computer laboratory specifically for language teaching.

Regular sessions with specialist native-speaker conversation teachers provide boys with authentic opportunities to use their language skills

Welcome to the Language Department

The study of a Language Other Than English (LOTE) is now considered vital for young people to succeed in today's world.

From Year 7, Newington College offers French, German and Japanese. Latin is offered to boys wishing to further their knowledge of a LOTE. In the Senior years, students may continue their language study for the HSC or the IB, for which Italian is also offered. Newington utilises the latest language teaching methodologies and technological resources. The language staff is enthusiastic, professional and highly competent.

Resources include a computer laboratory, CD-ROMS and audio CDs, DVDs, interactive internet-based classes and activities, smart board activities and an excellent variety of texts and activity books.

Additionally, regular weekly sessions with specialist native-speaker conversation teachers provide boys with authentic opportunities to use their communication skills and to increase their confidence with the spoken language.

The Head of Languages, Ms Leonie Wasson, may be contacted on 9568 9376.

Tours and Exchanges

The school encourages boys to have direct contact both with the culture and people of the relevant countries. This may be through overseas tours (New Caledonia, France, Canada, Germany, Japan), hosting foreign students, incursions and excursions.

For students of Latin, trips to Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Egypt are planned for the future. In recent years, we have had a number of boys participate in longer trips in the Christmas vacation to France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Each year, students visit language centres, such as the Alliance Française Cultural Centre and the Goethe Institut, for language-specific workshops and conversation with background speakers. Students also enjoy the experience of cooking traditional dishes, as well as French and German and Japanese food days.