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Make Languages Matter
How did Natasha increase enrolments for Languages at her school? She overhauled the school's French program to have a focus on students using the language, not just learning it. She used a combination of cross-curricular learning and fun, motivating, linguistically-rich French events.
Read on to see how Natasha made languages matter at her school.
How we tripled our numbers of students electing to take French in Year 10
Written by Natasha Banks, French Teacher at St Peters Lutheran College, Springfield, Qld
In the wake of the challenges posed by COVID-19, educational programs worldwide have encountered unprecedented difficulties, especially those requiring specialised teaching staff, such as school-based language programs. Upon joining as the French teacher at our small, yet high-achieving school, it was evident that the French program was in need of revitalisation. Our institution is renowned for its unwavering commitment to excellence and consistently high standards of academic achievement. This ethos of always striving for one's best and achieving excellent results is at the core of our approach, setting the stage for the transformative journey of our French program. With a rich background in French, including tertiary studies and living in Europe, I was prepared for this challenge, despite being new to teaching languages. Our mission was clear: to rejuvenate and expand the French program. Our school, known for its supportive community, leadership, and high-achieving students, mandates French until the end of Year 9, with typically two classes per grade. This is a consideration not many language teachers have the luxury of receiving in busy curriculums. However, by Semester 1 of 2023, only six students had chosen to continue with French into Year 10.My teaching partner and I embarked on a journey to overhaul the French curriculum with an innovative approach aimed at boosting student engagement and participation. We incorporated modern educational tools such as Blooket and Kahoot! To incorporate student’s interests in gaming with learning and leveraged popular culture and digital platforms to make the learning process more relatable and engaging. By integrating comics and the online learning platform Education Perfect into our lessons, and designing assessments that were cross-curricular, we brought the French language to life in contexts that resonated with our students.
One of our standout initiatives was the introduction of project-based learning activities that connected French with other subjects and real-world applications. For instance, in Year 8, students created a French property brochure inspired by their dream houses designed in Sims 4. Year 7 students selected real animals from the SPA website to create adoption posters, combining language learning with empathy and social awareness. By Year 10, our students transformed into travel influencers, vlogging and blogging about their travels in Geneva, thus practising their language skills in a modern, digital context.
To further embed the French program into the school culture, we hosted school-wide events like participating in Manie Musicale, a global Francophone music competition. This not only increased the visibility of the French program but also fostered a sense of community and excitement around learning the language. Our efforts extended beyond the classroom, with regular updates and showcases in the school newsletter and on social media, highlighting the diverse and engaging activities within the French program. Our school community was now exposed to the wonderful opportunities available in French and were developing in understanding why language learning is so important for their learners.
The pinnacle of our initiatives was the French film festival, an event that provided students with an immersive experience in film production. From storyboarding to using green screens, the creation of advertising through film posters and editing movies, students applied their French skills in a creative and interactive setting. This event, complete with a black-tie evening, red carpet, and community involvement, showcased the students' achievements and the dynamic nature of our French program.
The results of these efforts were astounding. From a cohort of roughly 42 students, we witnessed the number of students electing to take French in Year 10 increase to 18, effectively tripling the enrolment from the six students in the current Year 10 class. This remarkable success can be attributed to a collaborative effort among the French teachers and the invaluable support from visual arts and media teachers, who enriched the program with their expertise in storyboarding and visual arts. Crucially, the ongoing support from our leadership team played a pivotal role, not only in providing the resources needed for these initiatives but also in continually communicating the value of learning French to students and our wider school community. This consistent message from the top down helped to cultivate an environment where the benefits of bilingualism and cultural appreciation were highlighted, reinforcing the importance and appeal of the French program. The sustained backing and clear vision shared by our leadership ensured that the program's goals remained aligned with the school's broader educational ethos, making the learning of French not just an academic choice but a valued part of our school's culture.
Our approach demonstrated that language learning could be immersive, cross-disciplinary, and deeply engaging, resonating with students' interests and the world around them. The enthusiasm with which students have embraced these changes, eagerly inquiring if the initiatives would continue, underscores the impact of our endeavours. As we look to the future, we are committed to maintaining this momentum, further enriching our French program, and inspiring our students to explore the rich tapestry of the French language and Francophone cultures.
