Languages
Learn about our Languages program, where students study Chinese, Japanese, and French to develop communication skills, understand languages as systems, and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8. In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.
In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.
In Year 7 and 8, this course introduces students to Chinese language (including Hanzi) and culture in the context of meeting people.
The Year 7 course is completed as a taster and in Year 8, Chinese is available as a preference for the mandatory 100 hour language course.
In Year 9 and 10, this 200 hour course can be selected as an elective with no prior knowledge or experience of the language but is also an opportunity to build on the Stage 4 Chinese course.
Students are introduced to hobbies, leisure activities, seasons and making plans.
The language to be studied and assessed is modern standard Chinese is taken to be putonghua in the spoken form, and simplified character text in the written form.
Rationale: Chinese is a significant world language, spoken by about a quarter of the world's population. It provides students with opportunities for continued learning and for future employment and experience, both domestically and internationally.
In Year 7 and 8, this course introduces students to ways of describing their home and local area.
The Year 7 course is completed as a taster and in Year 8, French is available as a preference for the mandatory 100 hour language course.
Students are introduced to leisure activities and making plans.
This course can be selected with no prior knowledge or experience of the language but is also an opportunity to build on the Stage 4 French course.
The language to be studied and assessed is the modern standard version of French, as spoken in metropolitan France. This includes the use of colloquialisms where they are appropriate and an awareness of regional differences.
Rationale: French is one of the major languages in the world. It is used in parts of Europe, Canada, North America, Africa, the Middle East, the West Indies, the Indian Ocean region and the South Pacific region close to Australia, namely New Caledonia, Tahiti and Vanuatu.
In Year 7 and 8, this course introduces students to festivals and seasonal events in Japan.
The Year 7 course is completed as a taster and in Year 8, Japanese is available as a preference for the mandatory 100 hour language course.
The course introduces students to travelling through Japan.
This course can be selected with no prior knowledge or experience of the language but is also an opportunity to build on the Stage 4 Japanese course.
The language to be studied and assessed is modern standard Japanese in both written and spoken forms. Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries and a prescribed number of Kanji (Chinese characters) will be studied.
Rationale: The study of Japanese language is of particular importance to Australians, both culturally and economically. Japan is Australia's leading trading partner and there are significant cultural ties between Australia and Japan.
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