Languages Showcase

On Wednesday 21 May, our very first Languages Showcase took place in the Arundel Centre. It was a celebration of the linguistic diversity within Channing and a spectacular cornucopia of culture, music, poetry and song, drawing on nine different languages.

After an introduction from Mrs Hughes about the exciting opportunities which language learning offers, our Year 12 linguists outlined the reasons why they chose languages for A Level and their plans for the future, which include careers in diplomacy and studying Music in Germany. They also outlined the benefits of being European Parliament Junior Ambassadors which include being invited to events in the Hemicycle in Strasbourg (and visiting the Christmas markets on the way!). They were joined by Channing alumna and PE teacher Ms Gibbins, who studied French and Spanish at university, and described the delights of her year abroad in Santiago, Chile and in Paris.

The musical pleasures we were treated to comprised Ellie S playing Schumann’s Märchenbilder on the viola, which contrasted beautifully with Nancy S singing Butterfly in Mandarin. Saskia C displayed immense linguistic virtuosity with Shakira’s Estoy aquí .

In a feast of poetry recitation, Kezia C delivered Déjeuner du matin by Prévert with soulful intonation. Elizabeth S (global winner of the Poesiae Recitation Competition) recited Goethe’s Gefunden together with Sereny S, who is not yet learning German but plans to apply to study French and Beginner’s German at university. Natasha B and Teresa G rendered Verlaine’s Green with perfect expression. Pia gave us a moving rendition of La domenica dell’ulivo by Giovanni Pascoli. All of their pronunciation was exceptional and it was wonderful to hear these great writers conveyed so skilfully..

From Year 8, Helena BS read a short story by Stina Wirsen in Swedish with meaningful expression. Naomi E and Rafaella C presented fascinating insights into the tradition of Saints’ Days or namedays in Greece and Italy. Liliane B and Dahlia C’s award-winning video of the song about football that they wrote and performed in German to the tune of Beethoven’s Fur Elise was screened – they have both been invited to the prize giving at the Bodleian Library at Oxford University later this month.

The dance numbers were met with wild applause: Lara G supported by Edie C, Ruby R and Anya A danced Jasmin and James’ choreography to Bodo Wartke’s Rhabarberbarbara,  Sereny demonstrated the Salsa to Vivir mi vida and the grand finale was provided by Silvia, Mayssa, Nell and Margot who danced and rapped to Tomber la chemise by Zebda. The audience were so enthralled by the whole performance that all joined in singing in Italian to Volare.

The willingness of so many students to perform in or about a foreign language and culture with such accomplishment in multiple languages is a testament that they are more than 10% braver. They gave us all a superb evening.

I would also like to thank Frau Loosli and our Language Assistants (Lucia, Carina and Clémence) who participated in Schwyzertütsch and in their native languages respectively, which went down very well with the audience, in addition to Ms Becker and Ms Mohabeer whose help in making this event a success was invaluable.

Ms Pavlopoulos