Building Confidence & Forging Friendships for Senior Italian Students in Brisbane

During the first week of the Term 2 school holidays, Year 11 and 12 students from across Brisbane came together all united by a common goal: to strengthen their Italian speaking skills ahead of their upcoming exams.

What followed was a week that none of us will forget in a hurry.

From Hesitation to Confidence

Through role plays, language games, and a rich variety of engaging activities, students revised vocabulary and grammar while steadily – and visibly – growing in confidence. Day by day, something shifted. Students who had arrived a little nervous became more willing to speak up, take risks, and throw themselves into the learning process with enthusiasm and courage.

It is one of the most rewarding things to witness as educators: the moment a student stops worrying about getting it perfect and simply starts speaking.

Every Student, a Story

What made these Senior Student Workshops particularly special was the richness of the student’s individual motivations for learning Italian.

Some students are preparing to apply for the prestigious StuditaliA Prize – an extraordinary opportunity by Education Queensland that offers winners three weeks at a boarding school in Italy. Others already have exciting travel plans on the horizon. And for some, Italian is deeply personal – a way of honouring their heritage and maintaining a meaningful connection with their family roots and Italian identity.

Whatever their reason, every student in the room shared a genuine enthusiasm for their Italian language journey – and that energy was infectious.

The Power of Learning Together

One of the most inspiring aspects of the week was the supportive atmosphere that naturally developed within the workshops. Students who felt more confident became cheerleaders for those who were a little more hesitant, creating a space where every attempt was encouraged and every small achievement celebrated.

Because that is how language learning works best – in a safe, warm environment where mistakes are not something to fear, but something to embrace as an essential and beautiful part of growth.

A Truly Special Moment

Among the many highlights of the week, one moment stood out as particularly moving. We had the joy of welcoming the wonderful Lucy Fedrizzi, teacher at Cairns School of Distance Education, who was meeting some of her students in person for the very first time.

For a teacher who has guided and supported her students entirely from a distance, finally being in the same room together was a truly emotional and unforgettable occasion. Lucy, thank you for being such an integral part of this week and for the extraordinary dedication and care you bring to your students every single day.

See You in September for the next Workshop!

We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back during the September school holidays, when the focus will shift to mastering Italian writing skills.

In the meantime, to every student who joined us – grazie e complimenti. You should be incredibly proud of how far you have come. Keep speaking, keep practising, and keep embracing the journey.

A presto!

Interested in attending our Senior Student Workshops?

Visit our Senior Student Workshops page to find out more or register to attend the next workshop!