Learning Italian

Lesmurdie Primary School offers students the opportunity to learn another Language. The Languages subject is one of the eight learning areas to increase cultural awareness and give children the skills to learn another language. At Lesmurdie the Languages program gives students in years preprimary to six the chance to learn Italian. While learning a language is a worthwhile endeavour (Italian is the third most spoken language in Australia) there is more to Languages than learning how to count to ten in Italian or how to order dinner in an Italian restaurant.
 
The aims of the Languages learning area are to teach students the skills and techniques necessary to learn another language (it is easier to learn a third language than it is your first or second) and to increase their literacy and understanding of their first language (most likely English) as best they can. Opening the children’s eyes to the languages and cultures of other countries is especially important in metropolitan areas such as Perth. Perth, like many metropolitan cities is a multicultural city and as such children are confronted with people every day who dress, speak, eat and behave differently from themselves and who most likely hold different beliefs. In Perth there are many readily identifiable cultural groups, all of whom interact with each other at work, play and of course in school. Languages seeks to teach school children that cultural differences can be exciting and interesting, not scary, confusing and a cause of conflict. Having children from all walks of life learning the same language provides a great opportunity for them to have a common goal. When everyone is learning a new language, a student’s home language is no longer as important and is therefore not an advantage or a hindrance.
 
Learning a whole new language can seem hard, so the focus at Lesmurdie is in getting the students to enjoy the experience of learning another language. This is done through a range of activities such as role playing, playing games and Italian cultural activities. The response from students can be very positive but to ensure this; continued support from parents is essential. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all parents to participate in this learning opportunity with their children, and to remember that the best time to learn a second language is when you are young. The mind is a terrible thing to waste and IMPARARE E DI APRIRE LA MENTE AL MONDO (To learn is to open your mind to the world).