Appreciating the various foreign languages learnt and widening the students' interests in languages were the objectives of a Language Day school-based activity organised at the Liceo Vassalli Junior Lyceum, Handaq.
This inter-disciplinary activity was organised by the language teachers at the school's temporary annex at Hamrun with the help of many other members of staff and language teachers from Handaq school.
Languages Day centred around the four modern languages studied at school - French, Italian, Spanish and German. Space was also given to English and Maltese as the two basic languages studied by all the students at school.
During the day, students had the opportunity to learn about the countries where the four languages are spoken; to listen and try to speak the different languages during the various activities and presentations organised; to try and participate in a number of songs in the different languages; and to participate in hands on activities related to specific countries.
Students attended presentations in various languages with the aid of ICT, Internet and music in the ICT room, while others competed in an information quiz on the four countries.
At the same time other students visited an exhibition held at the school library and foyer in which students' work in the different languages was being exhibited. Students themselves acted as guides and gave explanations to their peers regarding the work being exhibited which ranged from cultural aspects to book reviews.
Students of German and French took part in a hands on activity in the home economics room where they prepared special cakes and delicacies typical of the two countries. The other students really enjoyed themselves having a taste of German chocolate and carrot cakes and the French pancakes prepared by their school mates.
The second part of the activity was a presentation of songs from the different countries. While the students of German sung a traditional German song, a German native speaker invited over for this occasion delivered a short introduction of herself, and the German language, and carried out a translation exercise.
The students of French also sung two traditional songs while the Italian Department presented the traditional Italian Vespa and the song 50 Special. The Spanish presentation of the song La Camisa Negra concluded the event.
This inter-disciplinary activity exposed the students to the various foreign languages learnt and greatly increased their appreciation of the beauty and the importance of languages in today's global village. This event was organised with the collaboration of the whole school staff with the special help of language teachers, the ICT and the home economics teachers at the school, the assistant head in charge of the school annex at Hamrun and the support of the head of school.