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The ability to communicate in another language is a valuable skill to acquire as, more than ever, we are travelling for personal pleasure, for business and simply to widen our human experience.
New Zealand is becoming increasingly multi-cultural and the rich diversity it brings is well reflected amongst our Saint Kentigern students. Whilst English is the first language for the majority of our students, for many it is their second language – or indeed for some, their third language.
It is well recognised that children are very receptive to learning a new language and so from the earliest age, Saint Kentigern introduces a spectrum of language learning. Even our wee preschoolers are proficient in vocabulary and songs in French, Mandarin and Maori!
At the Girls’ School, languages are taught from new entrants onwards. By Years 7 and 8, students are offered the opportunity to learn Mandarin, Spanish or French, selecting two languages to study in Year 7, before selecting one to focus on in Year 8.
This year, thirteen of our Year 8 girls elected to study Mandarin, learning to converse on a range of topics including family, describing themselves, travelling, talking about leisure activities and eating out.
The benefits of learning a new language go well beyond the ability to communicate in another tongue, opening horizons to new cultures. This term, the girls learnt about how Chinese people view their food compared to the western world. They looked at the importance of eating out in China as a way of establishing relationships between friends and business people, and looked at the differences in table manners and rules.
To put their learning into practice, the students were treated to a visit to a Chinese restaurant this week! They were required to order their food and drink, and describe their experience in Mandarin.
The students had a great time and proved that their language learning extends beyond the classroom to everyday life! Well done girls!
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