Intergenerational German Conversations at McKinnon are back!
- 23 Mar 2023
After several years of interruptions to this program, we were lucky enough to welcome back some of our senior participants. Students and senior participants were enthusiastic about getting to know each other and enjoyed each other’s company.
Students were prepared in class for the first meeting and many questions and answers were communicated. After an intensive discussion, homemade Apfelstrudel and other cakes rewarded all participants for their effort. And for our senior participants, the cup of coffee that made it a traditional German ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ was only a small thank you for their voluntary participation.
Over many previous years that we ran this program, initially researched and run by Monash University, we observed the great benefits of social interaction for both younger and older generations. But also programs on ABC TV's like 'Old People's Home for Teenagers' have demonstrated the positive outcomes of intergenerational collaboration.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our returning senior German speakers who always make our conversation lessons enjoyable and interesting. We are looking forward to fortnightly sessions on Thursday afternoons throughout the year.
If you are interested in this program and would like to join, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Andrea Fowler
German Language Teacher
Please find below a senior participant's feedback after our first meeting!
How wonderful it was to be back. After three years on hold, the Year 11 Intergenerational German conversation class was held outside on a lovely Thursday afternoon. As a volunteer I was so surprised to see how these gifted students could speak German so effortlessly. After nearly two hours of being quizzed in German on every personal subject the students could think of, I was exhausted!
All of the class could, together with their English language skills, easily travel and work throughout Central Europe. I cannot describe how impressed I am by this charming group of young people.
I would like to congratulate McKinnon Secondary College and the German language department on running the Intergenerational German conversation program. The best way to learn a language is to speak it.
It is wonderful being a volunteer at McKinnon Secondary College and the very special homemade Apfelstrudel made by Andrea Fowler and the cup of coffee kindly served by the students made me smile all the way home.
Peter Wilke
Senior participant of the Intergenerational German Conversation program
