NEWSLETTER

Vol-5 | 6 December 2013

Spanish Language

News

Spanish cinema

workshop well re-

ceived. Upcoming

Salamanca scholar-

ships in July 2014.

Read more here

Meeting the

Challenge

ILEP 2013 confer-

ence for language

teachers an out-

standing success.

Read more here

Chinese Language

News

Chinese Painting,

cultural research

project and Cultural

Picnic featured in

three articles.

Read more here

German Scholarship

awarded

Pakuranga College

student receives

German language

scholarship including

a four week visit to

Germany

Read more here

Stage de

Nouméa

New Caledonia im-

mersive experience

for teachers of

French language.

Applications for

2014 are open now.

Read more here

New Japanese Lan-

guage Advisor

We welcome Akiko

Harada, new Nation-

al Language Advisor

of Japanese at ILEP.

Read more here

ILEP and the Ministry of Education of New Zealand in

collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Spain and the

Department of Spanish of the University of Auckland held a

series of three workshops on Spanish language and cinema

for teachers of Spanish in November.

This project is part of the training programme of school

teachers of Spanish in New Zealand and promotes the use of

cinema as a pedagogical tool in the classroom. The purpose

is to develop students’ linguistic ability in Spanish and to

increase their cultural awareness of Spanish-speaking

cultures around the world.

The training included a general introduction to film

techniques, and explanation of critical vocabulary to discuss

Course on Spanish language and cinema

cinema in Spanish.

If you are interested in participating in a Spanish language

workshop as well, please find more information on our

homepage or contact Maria Mitenkova at admin@ilep.ac.nz.

Improve your Spanish and your teaching skills: be immersed in

Spanish culture and enjoy a customised pedagogical programme

for New Zealand teachers.

A two-week immersion programme is offered to New Zealand

teachers of Spanish at the prestigious University of Salamanca,

Spain.

Applications are open to everyone, however preference will be giv-

en to teachers who have completed the TPDL programme or simi-

lar in-depth PLD programmes, and teachers involved in levels 1 to

4 of the learning languages area of the curriculum.

Closing dates for applications: End of February, 2014

To apply, complete an ILEP application form. It is available online

www.ilep.ac.nz or via email: d.mitenkov@auckland.ac.nz or Tel:

09 623 8899 ext. 46 355.

Spanish Immersion Scholarship July 2014

Task-based language teaching and learning in the classroom

through real life activities as well as exploring other world

views were key topics at the conference Meeting the

Challenge: Building on TPDL. Among the one hundred or so

participants, were around 80 primary and secondary

teachers from around New Zealand, who had successfully

completed their one-year TPDL programme. The symposium

took place on the 14th of November at Waipuna Conference

Centre in Auckland and was hosted by ILEP in co-operation

with the Ministry of Education.

It was a unique opportunity to present, reflect and share

new insights and successes, provided a platform for

ILEP conference 2013 a great success

networking with colleagues from across New Zealand and

discuss with facilitators what the next challenges might be.

The panel discussion “Teachers as leaders” covered topics

such as immersion scholarships overseas and taking up

leaderships roles in their schools or in the wider Learning

Languages community.

The “Teaching Pasifika languages” panel featured three key

speakers: Lata Langi, teacher of Tongan at Southern Cross

Campus, Gordon Gallop, learner and teacher of Samoan at

Baradine College and Christine Nurminen, Director Pasifika

Education Centre. They highlighted the challenge faced in

Auckland – the world’s largest Polynesian city – in providing

more opportunities for students to learn and apply Pacific

languages.

In her final address Dr. Rosemary Erlam, Academic Director

of TPDL and senior lecturer in the department of applied

language studies and linguistics at the University of

Auckland, demonstrated “Tasks in the New Zealand language

classroom” by showing the work of some participants and

turning the conference room into a classroom. The audience

were engaged to solve questions as “¿Qué es?”, Qu’est-ce

que c’est?, Was hat sechs Beine, läuft aber auf Vieren?” or

“Zhè shì shénme?”

This inspiring learning lesson promoted interactive discussion

and a high level of enthusiasm amongst all participants. It

highlighted how to meet the challenge of teaching foreign

languages in a more interesting, effective and sustainable

way.

Interested primary and secondary school teachers, whether

new to teaching languages or very experienced, can find

further information about the TPDL programme and the

application form at www.tpdl.ac.nz. The next TPDL

programme is scheduled to start in February 2014.

Teacher Professional Development Languages

Since 2005 the TPDL programme has been giving teachers who are

keen on up-skilling their pedagogy and improve their own lan-

guage skills the opportunity to learn about the latest language the-

ory and practice. TPDL is a Professional Learning Development

(PLD) programme, that complements the official Learning Lan-

guages school curriculum. It is run by ILEP, which is managed by

Auckland UniServices, and fully funded by the Ministry of Educa-

tion.

For more information and to apply, please visit tpdl.ac.nz or call

+64 9 623 8899 extension 46302 or email tpdl@auckland.ac.nz

Chinese Painting

This year, the children at Meadowbank School have learned more

about Chinese painting. They have been using ink on rice paper,

and have learned a variety of brush techniques, such as creating

fine lines, thick lines, circles and shading. They have also learned

about the four treasures of the study (文房四宝 Wénfángsìbǎo,

which includes paper, brush, ink and inkstone) and about the his-

tory of seal cutting (篆刻Zhuànkè, red stamps). The children had a

great deal of fun painting various vegetables and fruit, including

grapes, mandarins and pumpkins.

Chinese Culture Research Project

The students of Meadowbank School have worked on research

projects relating to Chinese culture. This has involved using infor-

mation technology. For example, they have learned more about

finding information effectively on the iPad. The children were ea-

ger to explore the topic area, and they raised many interesting

questions, such as “Do Chinese people eat rice with chopsticks”?

and “Is the dragon a real animal”? The children worked in groups

to explore a diverse range of self-selected topics, including Chi-

nese history, the dynasties, the four great inventions, festivals,

food and clothing. They were very enthusiastic and worked hard,

producing some amazing results in the form of posters and book-

lets as well as presentations.

Cultural Picnic

Meadowbank School had its cultural picnic on November 28th. It

was a big community event involving all the families, teachers and

students. The teachers were in

charge of the cultural groups,

and there were four meetings

with the students prior to the

picnic. At the meetings, the stu-

dents investigated different cul-

tures and learned some simple

greetings. On the night, families

came along with plates of food

from different countries, and

were given the opportunity to

sample foods from other places.

The students gave cultural performances later in the night.

These included a Chinese umbrella dance, a martial arts display,

a Korean traditional instrument performance, an American cow-

boy dance and an Indian Bollywood dance. The cultural picnic

was a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange. It was a fun

and informative evening that helped us all to value and respect

the different cultures that make up New Zealand.

New Chinese Language Assistant at ILEP Tracy Zhang has recently joined ILEP as Chi-nese Assistant, coming from Tianjin in China. She is assisting Yu Wang, Chinese National Advisor, in providing regular Chinese language courses and work-shops for teachers and establishing a database of Chi-nese Teaching Resources. Tracy is a student at the University of Nankai. Her first impression of New Zealand is that it is a very beautiful country with blue sky and many old trees. Peo-ple are very kind and welcoming. Tracy will be based in ILEP’s Auckland office.

You can email her at: chineseassist@ilep.ac.nz

Chinese Language News

German language scholarship awarded

Lillian Guo, year 13, is the recipient of the Pädagogischer

Austauschdienst scholarship, an award which includes a four

week tour around Germany covering all expenses. Lillian is

elated with the scholarship; however it was a long hard road to

get there. Initial interviews were held in June last year and

successful applicants were then invited to a second round in

Wellington in September 2012.

“The competition was tough,” says Lillian. “There were eighteen

people from all over the country. The first day, we just got to

know each other by speaking German. It was then that I found

out that everyone was really pro at German and knew fancy

vocabulary that I didn't know.”

However, to her surprise, a few months later she received the

good news. “I was told later that I used words they didn't

know either!” she laughs, referring to the other applicants. I

was over the moon with the result. “I didn’t expect it at all as

everyone was so good.”

Lillian’s visit to Germany included a trip to Berlin, Munich,

Cologne and even St. Gallan in Switzerland where the

Stiftsbibliothek, a stunningly beautiful library which keeps

hand-written books from the fourteenth century, is located.

Amongst other things, she saw the Brandenburg Gate, the

Berlin Wall and also the Jewish Memorial Museum. For Lillian,

the architecture impressed her the most about Berlin and the

last days were bitter-sweet. “I only wished the days didn’t go

by so fast,” she said sadly, “It was probably the best month of

my life. I met lots of people from all over the world on this

trip, and made great friends within my group, people with

whom I hope to stay in touch with forever.”

Are you and your school interested in providing German

language programmes or would you like to increase your

network to Germany? Then contact the German National

Advisor, Heike Papenthin, at German@ilep.ac.nz.

Welcome Akiko Harada

ILEP welcomes Akiko Harada our new National Language Advisor

of Japanese. She has vast experience and skill in teaching the lan-

guage, but also draws from previously held positions in education

in Asia and Australia. Her role is to support the development of

Japanese language education in New Zealand. In particular with a

focus on:

offering workshops and courses and meetings focusing on

teaching materials, resources and pedagogy that promote

intercultural communicative language teaching in Japanese

supporting schools with advice and guidance on establishing

and sustaining Japanese language programmes

providing information on networking opportunities for teach-

ers of Japanese

providing advice and guidance on immersion opportunities,

scholarships and professional learning opportunities both in

New Zealand and abroad

Akiko worked and taught at various Universities in Japan, but in

talking to her you will find that she has a lot more to offer than

strictly teaching advice. She has a passion for the outdoors and

the sea and feels that she has come to a great place. Beyond

that, she holds a keen interest in education and education sys-

tems and would like to explore that side of New Zealand as well,

including language policy, curriculum and language teacher’s pre-

vious experiences.

Akiko is looking forward to seeing you soon in your region as she

travels around New Zealand in the coming months.

こんにちは。私は、日本語アドバイザーの原田

明子です。国際交流基金から派遣され、ILEPの一

員としてニュージーランド日本語教育の普及と

発展のために貢献していきたいと思います。ど

うぞ、宜しくお願いします。

I am Akiko Harada, the new National Language Advis-er of Japanese. I arrived in New Zealand in October 2013 to take up my appointment with the Japan Foundation. I am now working as a member of the ILEP team and I also have close working relations with the Embassy and Consulate-General.

Apart from teaching Japanese at several universities in Japan, I have also had various educational posi-tions in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Aus-tralia. I am happy to support all teachers who are involved in Japanese language education and I am looking forward to a successful stay in New Zealand.

We feel that Akiko Harada will greatly contribute to promoting

the learning and teaching of Japanese in New Zealand, and we

hope that she will be warmly welcomed by the Japanese Lan-

guage teaching community.

You can contact her through our homepage or send her an email

at japanese@ilep.ac.nz

While Japanese is the official and main

language used by 127 million people in

Japan, there are historical and emigrant

communities in South Korea, Taiwan, parts

of China, the Philippines, Brazil (the largest

emigrant Japanese population with 1.5

million speakers), Peru, Argentina, Austral-

ia, Canada and the US.

The Stage Nouméa provides a unique and invaluable opportunity

to be immersed in French life. Teachers participate in a three-

week long experience in Nouméa led by ILEP. Their

accommodation is provided by a New Caledonian family, and

their study time is divided between school observations,

intercultural inquiry and formal language classes at the

University of New Caledonia.

Applications for Stage de Nouméa 2014 are now open and the

application process is simple. Go to our website and click PLD

opportunities >> PLD Opportunities abroad >> French

Stage de Nouméa - Applications for 2014 open now programmes >> Stage de Nouméa for more information, to

find out whether your are eligible or not, and to download an

application form.

Don’t miss the chance to participate in a unique and

fascinating experience. The Stage de Noumea in 2014 will

take place in April. Applications are now open. You can also

find more information about the programme in our last

newsletter (Vol. 4 / October 2013) where we featured an

article about this great opportunity.

Advisory Support

National Advisers for Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish provide lan-guage specific support and can also offer advice about foreign language assistants and scholarship and immersion opportunities for each language.

National Coordinators for Learning Languages, Secondary Student Achievement Con-tract, focus on effective implementation of the New Zealand Curriculum and the NCEA realigned achievement standards as well as the development of literacy and language practices.

Northern & Central Regions please contact: Dee Edwards.

Southern & Central South Regions please contact: Jo Guthrie

NZALT The New Zealand Association of Language Teachers offers a nationwide net-work to support language teachers, including regional meetings, professional devel-opment, awards, newsletters, conferences and advocacy on key issues.

Professional Development Opportunities

TPDL (Teacher Professional Development Languages) is a Ministry of Education funded programme aimed at developing teacher language proficiency and second lan-guage teaching capabilities in order to improve student language learning out-comes. TPDL is available to beginners as well as language experts.

ILEP (International Languages Exchanges and Pathways) supports schools and teachers to implement the Learning Languages curriculum area, particularly at Years 7—10.

Language Immersion Awards are provided by the Ministry of Education for teachers of languages to undertake immersion experiences overseas. Further details are available at the AFS website.

Don't forget! Check out the Learning Languages Website for regular updates and more information.

Chinese Language Workshops

Chinese National Advisor Yu Wang is going to hold a series of workshops across New Zealand in 2014, including TBLT series in Christchurch (three workshops), Teaching resources creating and editing workshops, Chinese language and film workshops as well as several networking meetings and cluster meetings. Email ILEP to receive addi-tional information.

French Language Workshop Series 2014

New upcoming workshops for French Language Teachers:

Term 1 & 2: WW1 Shared histories Methodology workshop

Term 1 & 3: Reading in French, text types and sources

Term 1: French film festival support workshop

French Immersion days, Term 1: Auckland; Term 2: Christchurch

Glenda Palmer is also going to hold several Networking meetings in various regions in Term 2 & 3. More info here.

Japanese Language Upcoming Events

New Japanese Language Advisor Akiko Harada is going to hold a number of events in 2014.

Term 1: Resource Sharing & How to use Manga/Anime in class?

Term 2: “Japan & Carnival”

Term 3: Japanese Technology, Immersion Cooking & Wrapping

Term 4: “Japan Now”

If you are interested to learn more, please go to our website. More info here.

Chinese Scholarships 2014

The Chinese and New Zealand Ministries of Education are offering up to 12 scholar-ships to New Zealand teachers of Chinese to attend a three week intensive language and culture programme in China in January 2014. The programme is targeted towards teachers at the Sustainability stage of the PLD pathway for New Zealand language teachers. More info here.

Coming Up ... Key Contacts and Links