11 Aug 2012
So why learn French? Is it because you're planning your next trip to France or a cruise around Noumea, or because you're tired of reading the subtitles of French films shown in our local cinemas? No, and especially not for kids. It is because it's fun!
Singing songs and folk tunes, telling tales and nursery rhymes, eating scrummy food and what about fashion? Our kids are going to enter a parallel universe where singing Alouette and Frere Jacques means they understand every word and note, where the children's stories we read by La Fontaine mean something without translation, and where eating Tarte Tatin conjures up images of the true cultural history behind the naming of the world's most famous apple pie.
From and academic point of view the earliest innovators in education (eg. Rousseau, Piaget) were French and our universities to this day still incorporate writing and philosophies from these early educators in their curriculum. DPS students will acquire grammar and language skills in a new language which will reinforce and improve on their English. Their experience of our local culture will be enhanced through embracing the broad cultures of French speaking communities. This will help build them as well rounded knowledgeable human beings. It will also open them up and prepare them for the wide range of subjects on offer to them when they transition into Secondary school. Through their high level understanding of the French words we have use in English, they will probably even explain to you where we use them incorrectly!
About the teacher…introducing Mr Allan Scott-Rogers
With our experience of the senior Latin classes we believe we have found that teacher. Allan Scott-Rogers was born in Australia but moved to Paris as a teenager to follow his studies in music. In a short period of time he was adopted by a French family and experienced all aspects of French life as an adolescent growing into adulthood. He is an internationally accomplished musician and holds graduate and post graduate degrees in Music, Languages and Education. His knowledge of French Culture and Language has led him to work for the French Government as Translator for visiting French Ministers, tour designer for Australian Journalists and dignitaries and as publisher of their national tourism magazine. Allan regularly returns to France to catch up with friends and family, check out the latest trends and restaurants, and to host tours in France for Australian travellers.
Allan's experiences as an educator and musician who has studied with some of them most accomplished flute masters and chamber music ensembles in Europe:
- Graduate Diploma in Education – Languages other than English (LOTE) and Teaching English to Speakers of other languages TESOL (CSE)
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Bachelor of Arts – Music Performance and French (UNE)
- History of Western Music, Performance Practice, Counterpoint, Performance, French Language, French Literature, Adolescent Development in Education.
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Post Graduate Certificate in Composition and Musical Analysis
- Conservatoire du Centre – Paris
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Post Graduate Chamber Music Diplomas:
- Concours Regional Ile de France
- Medaille d'Or – Montreuil- tutored by the Paris Wind Quintet
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Undergraduate Studies in Flute and Chamber Music Performance:
- Prix de Perfectionnement,
- Premier Prix du Conservatoire,
- Medaille d'Or– Teachers : Alain Marion, Raymond Guiot, Ida Ribera
- Graduated with HSC from Conservatorium High School, ASCM, A Mus A – Teacher : Jane Rutter
As an educator Allan has worked at:
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St Vincent's College, Potts Point
- Performance Coordinator & Music Teacher
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Sydney Conservatorium of Music
- Open Academy – Program Officer Rising Stars
- Ensembles & Orchestra Coordinator
- Front of House Manager
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Conservatorium High School
- Teacher
- 7 – 12 Music, French, ESL and Latin (HSC Music and French)
- Orchestral and Large Performing Ensembles Coordinator, Chamber Music Coordinator,
- Concert Coordinator
- School and Alumni Development Manager
- Australian Institute of Music
- Teacher of Musicianship, Flute and Vocal training
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Newington Preparatory College, Lindfield
- Tutor in Flute, Piano and Woodwind section
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French Government Tourist Office, Sydney
- Marketing and Public Relations Manager
- Interpreter for visiting French Government Ministers
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Hertz Formation, Paris
- Head Teacher
- Coordinator of ESL programs
French classes will cost $3.00 per student each week.
.It is proposed that French classes will commence in Week 3 of this term. Community feedback is very much welcome regarding French coming to DPS. Please share your thoughts about this program by emailing Rachel on Rachel.privett@det.nsw.edu.au
Latin
Years 5 & 6 have excelled in the Latin weekly Latin classes with Allan Scott-Rogers. Allan has taught languages in Europe, the UK and the USA and has worked with children in Sydney since 2000. Piloted as a new language program in 2011, Year 5 students this year are true beginners and Year 6 are developing their skills acquired last year.
Whenever an individual learns a new language they actually start off much like a new born learns about their surroundings and things people around them are saying. This can sometimes be a daunting experience. Therefore, having fun is a very important tool for learning. Allan has created the Latin Program to surpass the strict learning of the subject that many adults recall from their own childhood. We are incorporating stories about Pompeii, Roman Culture and everyday life. We then evaluate the effects all these aspects have had on our modern day society and founded the beliefs and systems we live by today. The Latin Program will include ‘special' events later in the year – a Roman Feast, Make your own Toga, Roman Theatre and a visit to the Forum! We actually follow the life of a real Pompeiian – Caecilius and his family. Allan hopes for the students to write and perform their own ‘Soap Opera' in Latin before the year is out!
On a more serious note, we have seen the results from 2011 where the students learn a lot about themselves as individual learners and about their own culture and language. This goes as far as improving their Literacy and Numeracy.