On the 2nd August about 750 students came from different parts of Victoria to attend this year's Why-Learn-German Year 9 and 10 Student Forum at La Trobe University, Bundoora.

| Activities | Student Reactions | Photos |

Christian Fröhlicher (SBS Radio) explained to students what German-language programs they can listen to, and in the lunch-break students tried their hand at newsreading at SBS's outdoor broadcast unit.

Students heard interesting descriptions from the following five young adults about their tertiary experiences with German and about going international with study and work through German.

• Meghan: Student, International Studies RMIT, Grad. Dip: Languages
  (Click here to read the text of Meghan's talk)
• Laura: BA student, University of Melbourne, GAP program participant
  (Find out more about how you can get to Germany with GAP - click here.)
• Nick: Commerce/Arts student, University of Melbourne
• Wes: BA graduate University of Melbourne, Pentarch Holdings
• Lisa: BA (Hons) Graduate, currently completing Master of Education, University of Melbourne
  (Click here to read the text of Lisa's talk)

Students heard from secondary students who have returned from school exchange to the state of Hessen this year.

The eight-man rap band Clueso from Germany performed a few songs on stage while students danced and sang along with the band's help. This day was the last leg of the band's Australian tour.

The Goethe-Institut Melbourne & AGTV Year 10 Award was formally presented to the 2004 winner Jacinta from Melton SC.

Andrew Bray's band and Year 9 students from Ballarat HS performed a couple of German songs on stage.

After lunch students watched a German film.

Student comments: (from different schools)

"It was a great day, I enjoyed Clueso." - Lauren

"T'was a good experience to see what some people have done with their German skills and to hear some music similar to that of which I listen to in English in German. Overall, it was a fun day and further inspired me to continue German." - Peter

"I thought it was good that so many other schools came. I had no idea that German was so popular." - Maddy

"It was a good day and we had heaps of fun." - Sarah

"The movie was really cool." - Steph

"It was a very good idea that you decided to run this function. Even though I had already decided to continue with my German it was very informative to see how other people had used their German to their advantage. The different stories were very interesting. Hopefully, more people can see the advantages and continue also." - Murray

"I liked the Gummibärchen!!" - Steph

"Although I'm dropping German next year, it was very fun and I learnt a lot. For those of you who are interested and good at German, do continue. I'm sure it will come in handy one day for you and me." - Stanley

"I found the day at LaTrobe quite interesting. I never realised how learning German could open up so many opportunities. The band was very amusing and a lot of fun." - Jacqui