LANGUAGES LEARNING AREA

FRENCH: SECOND LANGUAGE – ATAR COURSE and/or

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET) PATHWAY – CERTIFICATE III IN APPLIED LANGUAGE

An ability to communicate in French provides opportunities for students to learn about the rich and diverse French culture, traditions and belief systems. In the French course, students analyse, process and respond to texts to understand aspects of the language and culture of a range of French-speaking communities throughout the world.

 

The French: Second Language ATAR course is designed for students who do not have a French background—that is, students who have learnt the majority of the French they know in an Australian school or similar environment.

 

The VET pathway caters for second language and background students. Certificate III in Applied Languages is achieved upon completion of Year 11 and Year 12 study of French. Students enrolled in Year 11 French can choose to pursue only the VET pathway or the ATAR pathway with the additional VET Certificate embedded in the ATAR course.

 

In the French course, students develop the skills and knowledge to communicate in French. Communication is facilitated through the achievement of four outcomes.

 

Outcome 1: Listening and responding

Outcome 2: Spoken interaction

Outcome 3: Viewing, reading and responding

Outcome 4: Writing

 

Note: To enrol in the Year 11 ATAR Units, students need to have successfully completed Year 10 French or equivalent.

 

To enrol in the Certificate III, students need to have successfully completed Applied Language (French) Certificate II.

 

Students subscribe to the Education Perfect online language learning site.

 

 A consumables charge will be applied to this course. This will be charged in addition to Tuition Fees.  

 

YEAR 11 

Unit 1 

This unit focuses on C’est la vie ! (That’s life!). Through the three topics: My daily routine, French sports and leisure, and Leading a healthy lifestyle, students further develop their communication skills in French and gain a broader insight into the language and culture.

Unit 1 is organised around three learning contexts and a set of three topics:

 

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

My daily routine

Students reflect on their daily routine at home and school and popular activities: sport and socialising in their lives and the lives of young French people.

The French-speaking communities

French sports and leisure

Students consider popular traditional and modern sports and leisure activities enjoyed by French people.

The changing world

 

Leading a healthy lifestyle

Students consider current issues in the global community that relate to healthy living, the importance of physical activity and maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle.

Unit 2 

The focus for this unit is Voyages (Travel). Students further develop their skills, knowledge and understandings through the study of the unit content. They extend their communication skills in French and gain a broader insight into the language and culture.

Unit 2 builds on the content covered in Unit 1 and is organised around three learning contexts and a set of three topics:

 

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

My travel tales and plans

Students reflect on their own travel tales and discuss what is essential when planning a trip and travelling at home and abroad.

The French-speaking communities

 

Australia as a travel destination

Students explore Australia as a destination for

French-speaking travellers and discuss how they would prepare a French speaker for a trip to Australia.

The changing world

 

Travel in a modern world

Students consider how technology is changing world travel, influencing the way people plan their holidays, and how they communicate with others while away.

 

Year 12

Unit 3 

This unit focuses on Les médias (The media). Through the three topics: Technology and Me, Film and Music, and In the media, students extend and refine their

communication skills in French and gain a broader and deeper understanding of the

language and culture.

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

Technology and me

Students reflect on the role of technologies in their lives and in the lives of young people in French-speaking communities.

The French-speaking communities

 

Film and Music

Students develop an insight into the cultures and lifestyles of the French-speaking communities through examples of francophone films, film clips and music.

The changing world

 

In the media

Students consider the media and its impact on the global community.

 

Unit 4 

This unit builds on the content covered in Unit 3 The focus for this unit is Le monde qui nous entoure (The world around us) and is organised around three learning contexts with three prescribed topics:

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

Planning my future

Students reflect on their plans for the future.

The French-speaking communities

 

Migrant Experiences

Students explore the accounts of French-speaking migrants to and from French-speaking communities, to consider reasons for migration, and experiences of participating in a new community.

The changing world

Youth Issues 

Students consider global youth issues related to coping with pressures such as stress, drugs and alcohol. 

Students subscribe to the Education Perfect online language learning site.

A consumables charge will be applied to this course. This will be charged in addition to Tuition Fees.

CHINESE: SECOND LANGUAGE – ATAR COURSE

The Chinese: Second Language ATAR course is designed to further develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the culture and the language of Chinese-speaking communities, providing them with opportunities to gain a broader and deeper understanding of Chinese and extend and refine their communication skills. 

 

The course focuses on the interrelationship of language and culture, and equips students with the skills needed to function in an increasingly globalised society, a culturally and linguistically diverse local community, and provides them with the foundation for life-long language learning. Relevant and engaging tasks, delivered through a range of appropriate contexts and topics, develop literacy in the Chinese language as well as extend literacy development in English.

 

The Chinese: Second Language ATAR course is designed to facilitate achievement of the following outcomes.

 

Outcome 1 – Listening and responding

Outcome 2 – Spoken interaction

Outcome 3 – Viewing, reading and responding

Outcome 4 – Writing

 

Year 11

Unit 1 

The focus for this unit is 青少年 (Teenagers). Students build on their skills, knowledge and understandings through the study of the unit content. They further develop their communication skills in Chinese and gain a broader insight into the language and culture.

Unit 1 is organised around three learning contexts and a set of three topics:

 

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

Having Fun

Students reflect on their favourite activities: sports, going out, and socialising.

The Chinese-speaking communities

 

Student’s daily life

Students explore the daily routines of young Chinese speakers: school, interests, and social activities.

 

The changing world

Technology and leisure

Students consider the impact of technology on the lives of young people around the world.

 

Note: To enrol in the Year 11 ATAR Units, students need to have successfully completed Year 10 Chinese or equivalent.

 

Unit 2 

The focus for this unit is 我们去旅行 吧! (Travel – let’s go). Students further develop their skills, knowledge and understandings through the study of the unit content. They extend their communication skills in Chinese and gain a broader insight into the language and culture.

 

Unit 2 builds on the content covered in Unit 1 and is organised around three learning contexts and a set of three topics. 

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

Tales of travel

Students reflect on their own travel experiences and plans and discuss what is essential when planning a trip and travelling at home and/or abroad.

The Chinese-speaking communities

 

Western Australia as a travel destination

Students explore Western Australia as a destination for Chinese-speaking travellers and discuss how they would prepare a Chinese speaker for a trip to Western Australia. 

The changing world

China as a travel destination 

Students consider China as a tourist destination.

 

Students subscribe to the Education Perfect online language learning site.

 

A consumables charge will be applied to this course. This will be charged in addition to Tuition Fees. 

 

Year 12

Unit 3

The focus for this unit is 目前情况 (Here and now). Students expand their skills, knowledge and understandings through the study of the unit content. They extend and refine their communication skills in Chinese and gain a broader and deeper understanding of the language and culture.

 

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

Relationships

Students reflect on the different relationships in their lives

The Chinese-speaking communities

 

Celebrations and traditions

Students explore major celebrations, traditions and festivals in Chinese communities..

 

The changing world

Communicating in a modern world

Students consider how the internet, mobiles, social networking and other technologies are used in building and maintaining relationships.

 

Unit 4 Description

The focus for this unit is 有什么打算? (What next?). Students consolidate their skills, knowledge and understandings through the study of the unit content. They extend and refine their communication skills in Chinese and gain a broader and deeper understanding of the language and culture.

 

Learning ContextsTopics

The individual

 

Reflecting on my life and planning my future

Students reflect on their final year at school and their plans for the future: further education, employment and travel.

The Chinese-speaking communities

 

The environment

Students explore current issues* in relation to the environment in Chinese-speaking communities.

 

The changing world

Current issues

Students consider issues* in the changing world relevant to them.

 

*For the purpose of the ATAR written and practical examinations the issues referred to in these topics will relate specifically to:

  • The environment
    • land pollution (waste)
    • water pollution
    • air pollution
  • Current issues:
    • impact of social media
    • smoking and alcohol
    • peer pressure