The never-ending battle: How do I get larger elective
classes?
Presented by Alicia Hoy and Victoria Broady
Introductions
• Victoria
• Alicia
1 minute ‘Vent’
William Clarke in Context
• North-west Sydney• No ESL programme, so they learn their 1st and
perhaps only language• K-10 Japanese, 5-12 French and German on a
biannual offering• Year 9, only 2 electives chosen. Choose by
June. Min. 10 students for a class• Year 11, min. 5 students for a class.
Year 5 and 6 – Picnic Day
• Whole unit based around a cumulative event. • Event given as a ‘carrot’ at the beginning of the
unit• All activities/lessons add a new piece to the
puzzle.• All activities geared towards the event. Eg.
invitations, food, activities at the picnic, items to bring
• Final lesson was the Picnic.
Fashion Parade
• Similar to the Picnic• Students divided into teams at the beginning
of the unit• Students empowered through choice of
clothing and song• Classroom set up as ‘catwalk’• Presentation in final lesson
Family Powerpoints
• Limited number of family members: 5• Each lesson included a new concept to include
to describe family member. Name, relationship, description of personality.
• Gave students five weeks warning before starting this unit to start organising digital photos.
• Whole lesson on presentations. Writing and Speaking skills
All-round fun – student feedback
• Toothbrush assessment• You-tube clips for Festivals unit• Puzzles of map of Germany and France• Quizzes in class• Schnappi, Alouette
Year 7 French 2011
• 12 month project• Choose character and choose your own
adventure• Cultural elements and learning from
classroom included
Year 7 German 2010
• Bremen Town Musicians play
Food Incursion end of Year 7
• Pretzels ordered and baked• The French kitchen profiteroles, brie, baguette
All Year 7 and 8
• In 2011, All Year 7, 8 classes Language Perfect World Championships
Year 8 German 2011
• Cake competition• German club (film competition)• Food excursion
Year 8 French
• ‘Carrot’ to be videod. • Flashcards – 2 sizes• French club • Food excursion
Senior Class Culture
• Relationship is the key• Inspiring a love of the language
Exchange opportunities
• NSW Governor-General’s Australia-Germany scholarship
• NACEL have come to address our school with many students attending and making plans for exchange from end of Year 9 for France and Germany
• Southern Cross to France
New Initiatives
• Identities• French Club• Different approach to teaching• Teaching for Understanding
You are it!
• You are the face of your language