”Learning new languages opens so many doors in a world where our students will likely spend time overseas themselves, or work with people who are based overseas,” Mrs Lucie Dickens, Melbourne Grammar School’s new Head of Languages, says.
“Whether our students become fluent or not, learning another language means they will develop empathy and understanding for other cultures, and an ability to appreciate different perspectives and approaches.”
Language education at Melbourne Grammar begins with Chinese studies at Grimwade House. At Wadhurst, Year 7 students select one language to study from: Latin, French, Japanese, and Chinese, and from Year 8 have the option to take on an additional language.
Mrs Dickens brings a wealth of experience as both a French language teacher and faculty leader to her role.
“My aim is to ensure our Languages faculty continues to be dynamic and engaging, and that we continue to offer meaningful cultural experiences for our students within and beyond the classroom,” she says.
“In the strategic intentions set out in Towards 2030, preparing students to take their place in the world with confidence and embrace the wider world is one of the priorities, and I believe language education is essential to this goal.”
Mrs Dickens has held leadership positions at her previous schools, alongside working as a French language teacher. As Head of Languages, she now oversees the Languages faculty as a whole while continuing to teach French across Years 7, 9, and 11.
Mrs Dickens says she feels extremely fortunate to be leading a team of dedicated professional Languages teachers.
“It’s inspiring to work with my colleagues every day,” she says.
“Our staff are enthusiastic about their own learning, and always ready to try new approaches to improve outcomes in the classroom. For example, we recently participated in a professional development day, and the staff have already put some of the strategies learned into practice.”
With the introduction of new and accessible technologies, and the rapid advancement of AI, the language learning landscape continues to change. But Mrs Dickens believes that the core value of language learning remains unchanged: its unique ability to foster genuine human connection, spark curiosity, and deepen intercultural understanding.
“It’s true that AI tools can provide help with translation tasks, but what they are not able to do is convey emotion and nuance, or create true understanding between people and cultures,” Mrs Dickens says.
“This understanding is something we can only learn by interacting with other people.”
Mrs Dickens adds that the effort involved in learning and memorising a new language also leads to “cognitive resilience”.
“Language learning teaches students to persevere through challenges and uncertainty,” she explains.
“It builds the grit needed to keep trying, problem-solve, and remain engaged, even when answers are not immediate.
“Research has shown us just how much being able to speak more than one language changes the brain. Alongside these benefits, learning new languages also leads to a deeper understanding of a student’s first language, which contributes to their communication skills overall.”
In her first six months as Head of Languages, Mrs Dickens and her team have facilitated a variety of cultural and academic experiences designed to bring language learning to life, including incursions, excursions, competitions, and opportunities for cross-age mentoring.
Highlights have included Latin Reading and French Poetry Berthe Mouchette competitions, Cultural Diversity Week activities, and School-wide celebrations such as Lunar New Year.
At Grimwade House’s Lunar New Year event, Senior School students returned to perform in Chinese, demonstrating the enduring value of language learning throughout their educational journeys.
Strengthening connections between year levels is an exciting focus for Mrs Dickens and her team in the months ahead, with a continuing enthusiasm for “fostering both confidence and a shared passion for languages across the School.”
