Languages
Greek
Students in Pre-primary to Year 6 learn the Modern Greek language and celebrate significant cultural events. Learning Greek and immersing oneself in Greek culture can offer numerous benefits to our students. Greece holds great historical significance as the birthplace of Western civilization. Through the study of Modern Greek, students not only deepen their grasp of the English language but also enhance their overall comprehension.
We provide a unique opportunity for students to delve into Greece’s rich history by commemorating key national events, such as Greek Independence Day and OXI Day. This includes assemblies, wreath-laying ceremonies, skits and songs. Additionally, selected students get the opportunity to participate in the Speak Greek in June event organised by the Western Australian Modern Greek Language Teachers Association. This event allows students to prepare a short role-play or song, further enriching their language learning experience.
Latin
We take pride in providing Latin education to secondary-aged students. From Years 7 to 8, students continue their language studies as per the Western Australian Curriculum requirements. Upon reaching Year 9 and Year 10, language studies becomes an elective, and students in Year 10 undertake the National Latin Exam.
The National Latin Exam is in fact an international exam undertaken by hundreds of thousands of students, all over the world, at the same time, once a year. To achieve a gold medal, a student must attain a score of over 95% or above, and for a silver medal between 85-95%. There are no bronze medals. Three of our IHC students have achieved cum maxima laude (with the greatest praise) at this year’s exam, and therefore have won silver medals. Our highest scoring student only just missed out on a gold medal, with a score of 92.5%. We are extremely proud of the achievement of these students, who have worked so hard this year, and have represented our school so well internationally.
Studying Latin enhances students’ capacity for learning and provides them with numerous benefits:
- When Latin is mastered to a given level, any of the five “Romance” languages—French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian—can be learned to the same level in a fraction of the time.
- It teaches English. Latin is the basis of 60% of English words or is a cognate of Latin. Students who have taken enough Latin have shown notable improvements in spelling, sentence structure, and grammar, according to English teachers.
- Other subjects are improved as a result. In one study in the USA, Latin students (as opposed to those studying another language) had greater overall improvements in their studies.
It is not necessary for students to have any previous Latin experience when they start at IHC, regardless of when they start. We offer an excellent course on ab initio. It allows students to start at the beginning and gain the benefits of the course without feeling overwhelmed.
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