Ministry holds Foreign Languages Conference for CXC students

One hundred and forty students now know how to better prepare for their CXC Foreign Languages examinations, and just over 200 more are expected to be educated on the topic as the Ministry of Education continues with its 2nd Fifth Form Conference on Foreign Languages.{{more}}

The conference began on Tuesday, February 2, 2011, at the Girl Guides Headquarters, at Level Gardens. A total of 147 students from several schools came together to receive information on how best to approach their CXC exams in April.

The students were exposed to the requirements necessary to produce an outstanding paper, and also had an opportunity to interact with their peers using a foreign language.

SEARCHLIGHT visited the Girl Guides Headquarters on Tuesday where students received information on their French examination papers. Co-ordinator of the conference and Education Officer for Foreign Languages in the Ministry of Education Flavia Howard stated that the conference was done for the first time last year, and based on the success of the previous conference, students, teachers, parents and principals requested that it be repeated this year.

Speaking to the students briefly on Tuesday, Senior Education Officer Carlton Hall commended the students for coming out in their numbers. He added that the use of foreign languages is important and said that emphasis is placed on the subject areas because of this country’s diplomatic relations. Hall stated that the students are future ambassadors of the country.

Girls’ High School student Jimesia Bowen told SEARCHLIGHT that the conference has been very helpful as she now knows how to approach her French exam. Bowen added that she also enjoyed conversing in French with her fellow fifth formers.

Grammar School student Mbeki Slater had nothing but high expectations for the programme, adding that he expects to grow in the language as he had already learnt a lot and was looking forward to the receiving the rest of the information.

The conference, held under the theme ‘Lets Communicate in the target language’, will continue on Monday, February 7, and Tuesday, February 8, 2011, for students of Spanish at the Doris Mckie Resource Centre at Cane Hall. Secondary schools from across St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be attending the conference. A total of 483 students will benefit from the Foreign Languages Conference.(OS)