Languages

At Aitken College, students in Years One to Six learn French. Learning French enhances students' understanding of English and other languages and fosters an appreciation of French-speaking cultures around the world.

During French classes, students participate in interactive activities such as songs, games, role-plays, and storytelling to engage young learners and make language acquisition enjoyable.

The program in Years One and Two focuses on listening and speaking skills through songs, stories and simple conversations. As students move into Years Three and Four, they are introduced to reading and writing in French, along with expanding their vocabulary and grammar knowledge. In Years Five and Six, students further develop their communication skills using more complex sentences and broaden their cultural understanding.

From Year 7, students are introduced to the language of Indonesia. In Indonesian students dive into the language and culture of Australia’s important neighbour – a country with over 270 million people and an emerging economic world power.

Learning a second language not only fosters cultural appreciation but also enhances cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Bilingual people generally exhibit greater cognitive flexibility and a heightened ability to multitask, essential skills for success in today's globalized world.

A feature of the Indonesian program at Aitken College is the Language room where students participate in activities with the additional support of an Indonesian Language Assistant.

Through our carefully planned curriculum, students explore a diverse array of topics, from school, family, shopping, food and fashion to the impact of social media, environmental issues and cultural traditions. This immersive approach cultivates language proficiency and deepens cultural understanding, fostering empathy and global citizenship.

Beyond the classroom, students experience Indonesian culture at the Melbourne Zoo, the Melbourne Indonesian Film Festival, the Indonesian Consulate, and Indonesian restaurants. Additionally, a study tour to Indonesia takes place biennially, providing firsthand experience of the language and culture students have been studying.

As a core subject from Year 7 to Year 9 and an elective in Year 10, Indonesian offers students an opportunity to broaden their horizons and connect with the world around them. In VCE Indonesian, students dive deeper into the language and culture and move toward greater fluency.

Whether pursuing further studies, international travel, or career opportunities, proficiency in Indonesian equips students with a competitive edge and a global perspective.