Languages

At St Mary’s College we offer students the exciting opportunity to explore and learn two of the world's most widely spoken languages - Japanese and Spanish!

By studying these languages, students will not only develop important communication skills, but also gain insights into fascinating cultures and expand their career prospects in an increasingly globalised world.

Our experienced teachers use engaging and interactive methods to help students achieve their language learning goals, and we provide a range of cultural programs and extracurricular activities to enhance their learning experience.

Japanese

St Mary's College offers Japanese language classes for students in all year levels, providing an opportunity to learn about Japan's ancient and modern culture, including manga, anime, art, music, fashion, and food. The curriculum covers four macro skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as intercultural knowledge, exploring cultural similarities and differences between Australia and Japan. The Japanese room is equipped with traditional furniture, artefacts, and displays, providing an immersive learning experience.

Year 10-12 students who study Japanese are given the chance to travel to Japan every two years, experiencing the country's sights and culture. Additionally, the Japanese Club offers activities like anime watching, origami sessions, manga drawing, and kendo sword fighting for students of all year levels.

Learning Japanese provides advantages beyond cultural enrichment, as language skills are an indicator of reasoning ability, communication skills, and adaptability, traits valued by employers regardless of occupation.

Spanish

Spanish is the official language of over 20 countries and is one of the three most commonly used languages in international organisations. Studying Spanish helps with understanding English grammar and identifying cognates between the two languages can expand the students’ vocabulary.

Learning Spanish involves interacting with peers, teachers, and Spanish-speaking communities, engaging with language-learning texts and cultural resources, and improving pronunciation, fluency, and accuracy in spoken and written language. It can lead to many opportunities for work at home and abroad, including translation, teaching, and joint ventures with Spanish companies.

The Spanish program at St Mary’s College includes embedded cultural programs, such as cooking classes and cultural tours, that aim to promote awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the diverse Spanish-speaking world. The Spanish Club encourages the study and appreciation of the Spanish language and fosters friendly relationships among students and parents. Parents can also participate in a Spanish Cooking Master Class to strengthen their relationship with the school community and promote intercultural understanding, one of the pillars of our inclusive community.