The curriculum at the Mt Barker Waldorf School includes a number of specialist subjects. Each subject occupies a unique place in the curriculum and is not arbitrarily chosen. Each subject contributes something essential for the development of the whole human being, and is not taught just for its knowledge content.

Languages other than English are an integral part of the curriculum and are not taught just to develop a second or third spoken language. Languages bring with them the opportunity to live into another culture, develop a sense of how other people in our world see the world and think about the world. Each language has an inherent structure that is unique and has an influence on the development of the brain. This can give rise to flexibility in thinking as the child begins to develop their abstract thinking forces from around age 11 - 12 on. Our experience has shown that some students who are dyslexic in the English language can achieve much more in another language where the linguistic structure is different.

Each language is taught out of its cultural background and it is for this reason that we value native speakers as teachers. The two languages we teach at Mt Barker are a European language, German, and a language from the Asian region, Japanese. They have been chosen for their intrinsic qualities as well as their relevance to our school's situation. Students learn both languages from Class 1 into the high school and then choose one from Class 10 to continue to Year 12.

GERMAN
German was chosen because:

• Of the nature of the German language itself - having strong rhythm, structure and grammar, it enhances the students general language learning. As much as possible the teacher speaks German throughout the lesson where by students can absorb the wholeness of the language.
• Of the existence of a strong student-exchange link, particularly with German schools and schools in other German speaking countries.
• The German language belongs to the same language branch as English. Therefore because the phonic structures, the Roman alphabet (apart from a few exceptions) and the common language base are shared in both German and English, German can be a relatively easy way of learning another language.
• The German language, spoken in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, provides access to an important part of the rich cultural tradition of central Europe and among the most influential European countries. The study of German enables students to gain access to the cultural, historical, artistic and literary contributions to society of Germany and other German speaking countries
• The study of a language such as German contributes to students' understanding of the influence of cultural context in communicating with others. Learning a language such as German is also significant in the development of the analytical awareness of the student's own language.
• German is the language of one of Australia’s major trading partners and one of the major industrial nations of the world.

• The study of the language and culture of a country with a non-European history and cultural background supports a broadening of experience for students in a global world.
• The students study a language that has a completely different structure and alphabet.
• The study of Japanese contributes to an understanding the cultural, historical and artistic life of an important nation in the Asia Pacific.
• The study of Japanese enables students to gain access to the cultural, historical, artistic and literary contributions to society of Japan.
• The school has a growing exchange programme with several schools in Japan.
• The school hosts cultural visits by students, educators, local government officials and artists from Adelaide’s ‘sister’ prefecture in Japan.
• Japan is a very important trading partner with Australia and plays an important strategic role in the Asia Pacific area. The cultural and economic links between the two countries make the study of Japanese by Australian students desirable and relevant.