This year we are very fortunate to host a funded language assistant from Germany, and we welcome Johanna Vennemann to our college. Johanna comes from Oldenburg, a town in the north of Germany. Before coming to Melbourne, Johanna finished her studies to become a teacher, at the University of Hanover.
The Language Assistant Program is a long-standing initiative of the Department of Education and training that places native speakers from different European countries in Victorian government schools. To be eligible to host a funded language assistant, schools must apply as a partnership of two schools. Johanna is working at Mount Waverley Secondary College on Monday’s and Thursday’s and at Mount Waverley North Primary School on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s.
Johanna is currently providing assistance in conversation practice to our Year 12 students. Continuous conversation practice on a one to one basis or in small groups with a native speaker is a great opportunity to improve students’ communication skills in German. Students are benefitting from this valuable experience not only in improving their fluency, but also in improving their cultural knowledge. Getting used to speaking in a foreign language on a regular basis will enable students to step out of their comfort zone, become risk takers and strengthen their passion for language learning.
Languages Faculty