Languages

In Year 8 students continue to learn the language they focused on in Year 7, ensuring that they will have a strong foundation if they choose to continue with language study into Year 9 and beyond. The Languages curriculum aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure that students communicate in the language they are learning, understand the relationship between language, culture and learning, develop intercultural capabilities and understand themselves as communicators.

Language study is an optional elective from Year 9 onwards.

Areas of study include:

• Commedia dell’arte
• Tempo libero – free time
• In contatto – communicating
• La famiglia – family.

In Year 8 Japanese, communicative tasks, vocabulary, grammar, script work and cultural studies are the main elements of the course. Classes encourage the use of real language for communication.

Areas of studies include:

• Dates and time
• Hobbies and interests
• Transport
• Daily routines and free time
• Making arrangements
• Talking about the past.

Year 8 Chinese endeavours to engage students with new vocabulary and build on the grammar skills learned during Year 7. Students focus on speaking and listening, and classroom discussion aims to develop personal communication skills in areas of social communication, formal communication and using information provided from common resources.

Areas of studies include:

• Understanding Chinese culture
• Communicating to plan activities and social events
• Communicating ideas and opinions
• Investigating simple texts
• Using signs and translating information
• How language varies between different groups and cultures.

Year 9 Italian, Japanese and Chinese are elective subjects. Language classes are planned to encourage the use of language through authentic situations. The Language curriculum is organised through themes and topics. The sequencing of activities and language content allows learners to consolidate their existing language and build new skills, knowledge and attitudes on the levels they have already attained. Students are gradually introduced to more complex structures. The course extends the student’s ability to read and write independently.

The Year 9 Languages course aims to promote communication through speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students are gradually introduced to more complex structures and the course extends a student’s ability to read and write independently. Greater emphasis is placed on oral communication in informal settings and students are asked to identify and appreciate cultural differences between Italy, Japan, China and Australia. In addition, script work is extended to include katakana and further kanji.

In Year 10 students have the choice of studying Italian or Japanese.

Students are also able to apply for the following Languages VET courses in Year 10: Applied Languages (Japanese) Certificate III.

Students of Italian will broaden their knowledge of language and cultural awareness. They will develop their skills by communicating both orally and in written form in a range of styles and purposes in preparation for VCE. The curriculum will include exciting opportunities such as an excursion to ‘Museo Italiano’ in Carlton.

Students of Japanese seeks to further develop language as a tool of communication. Various activities and language content allows learners to fortify their language and build new skills, knowledge and attitudes on the levels they have already attained. Students are gradually learning more complex structures and grammars, including Katakana and Kanji. Greater emphasis is placed on oral communication in informal settings. Students are asked to identify and appreciate cultural differences between Japan and Australia.

In Year 11 students have the choice of studying Units 1 & 2 Italian or Japanese as a Second Language.

Both subjects allow students to develop and broaden their knowledge of their chosen language and cultural awareness to a level where they are able to use the language in everyday familiar circumstances.

In addition, students are also able to apply for the following Languages VET courses in Year 11: Applied Languages (Japanese) Certificate III.

In Year 12 students have the choice of studying Units 3 & 4 Italian or Japanese as a Second Language.

Both subjects allow students to develop and broaden their knowledge of their chosen language and cultural awareness to a level where they are able to use the language in everyday familiar circumstances.