Speaking in tongues

A NUMBER of Casey students were honoured at the Victorian School of Languages (VSL) Top Scorers Awards on Monday.
More than 180 students who got study scores between 40 and 50 in language subjects including Hindi, Chinese (Mandarin) and Italian were recognised at the awards.
Education Minister Martin Dixon congratulated the VSL students for their efforts.
“These students have demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of their chosen language, and have emerged as some of the top performers in the state,” he said.
“I have no doubt they will take full advantage of these language skills as they progress with their studies and careers in Victoria and beyond.
“The Victorian Coalition Government knows the benefits of becoming multilingual.
“Many doors open for students when they can speak another language.”
Kambrya College student Sarah Shehata got a top score in Arabic, Keziah Panopio also from Kambrya, got a top score in Filipino and Lei Xu from Hampton Park Secondary College was recognised for Chinese.
Melissa Ilovaca, from Cranbourne Secondary College, and Patricia Dutkovic, from Gleneagles Secondary College were both honoured for top scores in Croatian.
Mannat Arora, from Kambrya, was recognised for a top score in Hindi, Monika Kania, from Beaconhills College for Polish and Sahil Matharu, from Hampton Park Secondary College for Punjabi.
Maranatha Christian School students Eunice Lois Ghita and Andrei Gheorghita both got top scores in Romanian.
VSL currently offers 50 languages across Victoria via distance education or face-to-face classes on weekends to 14,000 students, including 3500 at VCE level.
Under the Coalition Government’s plan, all Victorian government schools will offer a language program for students from prep to Year 10 by 2025, starting with Preps in 2015.