After 10 years teaching Italian at Penola Catholic College, Joanne Pace took on the role of Head of Learning - Languages last year.
While students focus on core skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking, Pace also emphasises the need to practice what they’ve learned.
“It’s important to review concepts learned in class over the following days to understand how much has been retained. This practice makes a big difference,” she says.
But that alone is not enough, claims Pace, who believes it’s also essential that students have fun and feel involved. For this, a relationship of trust must be built with the students, to create “a classroom environment that helps them feel safe”.
Once this relationship has been built, activities in the classroom that otherwise would be impossible are now possible. Pace gave an example of how, with a Year 10 class she had already taught the previous year, learning the song Sarà perché ti amo by Ricchi e Poveri was made possible.
“On that occasion, we choreographed a performance, dividing the parts between boys and girls,” she recalls.
“But it’s not something you can do on the first day; you need to build trust with the students who must know that, once the classroom door is closed, it becomes a safe space for everyone inside.”
Although there is no magic formula for building trust, Pace is convinced that the best method is for her to open up first.
“Teachers must interact with students with respect and at their level, helping them understand that we all learn together and that we are in the classroom with them, always ready to provide the support and help they need. Students can tell if you care about them,” she emphasises.
Another one of Pace’s golden rules is to not teach everyone in the same way, as each student is different and requires their own approach to learning.
As a result of this knowledge, the school offers two Italian programs; one that includes CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) in which geography and religion are taught in Italian and an advanced Italian class.
“We can also count on the help of three language assistants, who provide a lot to the students,” she says.
“Hearing their authentic Italian accent helps them not only grasp the differences among native speakers, but also … gives them a snapshot of contemporary Italy,” Pace continues.
Penola College also offers several initiatives and activities for Italian students, including a study trip to the Bel Paese planned for next year. The trip is set to be an unforgettable experience for students who will not only have the opportunity to visit Italy but also to attend Galileo Galilei High School, Penola’s twin school in Siena (Tuscany), after the Australian school recently hosted its students in Melbourne.
“The trip to Italy is always the best way to give the class motivation to continue studying the language, but it’s also the cultural aspect that opens up a new world for the students,” shares Pace.
This focus on language teaching, promoted by Penola Principal Tracey Kift, is well supported by the group of teachers and assistants coordinated by Pace, who says working with each of them “is a great privilege”.
After three decades spent in the classroom, Pace still feels a strong bond with the Italian language (that she spoke growing up with her Tuscan father and Abruzzese mother) and continues to support her students foster one just as profound.
