Batemans Bay turns French

French students from the NSW South Coast region participated in an intensive two-day program held at Batemans Bay High School last week. It's the first time an event like this has taken place for South Coast language students. The program was organised by ANU language students and the Student Equity office.

The workshops involved practicing French, watching French films and analysing them in French, Christmas carol singing in French and creative French writing.

One of the participating students, Emily Street said "it's just enjoyable because it's a different type of learning". While Jessica Lloyd said it was helpful doing things in French that they wouldn't get a chance to do in class.

The types of activities that the high school students participated in are the sorts of things students can do to enhance their language learning in classes at ANU. The two-day workshop was a great opportunity to showcase the style of learning that is available in the French language and culture major and minor at ANU.

Bay High French teacher Reioni Ramsland said the two-day program proved inspirational for the students. She said "for them the biggest fear in learning a foreign language is the fear that they'll make a mistake when they speak. But this program shows it's not a big thing. So what, we make mistakes when we speak in our own language."

Fellow French teacher Judy Filmer-Smith said the participation of current ANU French students was extremely helpful. "We want students to continue their studies of language and we want to have a society that is not just monolingual", she said. "The Uni students are speaking to them in French - it's really boosting their confidence".

The ANU students did not only participate in the day, but did the bulk of the organisation of the program as well. Morgan Burgess, who currently studies French, was the main organiser of the day with the help of Simone StClair from ANU Student Equity.

The program was extremely successful and a great opportunity to showcase the many language opportunities at ANU.