YEARS 9 AND 10 ACADEMIC INFORMATION HANDBOOK

LANGUAGES AND CULTURE - CURRICULUM OPTIONS

Studying the languages and cultures of other countries and people allows us to feel more at home in the world.  When we travel to places which are new and unfamiliar to us, we may need to communicate with people whose first language is not English. Communication is the first step to friendship and understanding between people in our multicultural, globalised world.

YEAR 9 LANGUAGES 

POPULAR CULTURE: FRENCH CONTEXT 

The Year 9 French course builds on prior learning, hence it is preferable for students to have completed Year 8 French or equivalent. The one-year course focuses on exploring, in the French language, teenagers’ popular culture, using topics such as food, sports, science, media, film and music. The course explores the component of language through a hands-on practical program application. Students will develop, consolidate and expand their language, investigative and creative skills through team projects.

 

Through studying French, students will have the opportunity to do the following:

  • Apply language and culture in real-life social settings.
  • Develop communication skills in a language other than English using multi-media.
  • Be able to communicate in French within the stated specific objectives for each course.
  • Appreciate the youth culture in the social and cultural context in which French operates.
  • Foster multicultural understanding.
  • Understand their own language better and equip themselves with skills needed for learning other languages.
  • Expand and consolidate their literacy skills.

Notebooks computers and other forms of media will be used to access information and to reinforce learning. Students will be introduced to a range of software and websites which will be helpful in their studies. 

 

Students subscribe to the Language Education Perfect online learning site.

 

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

POPULAR CULTURE: CHINESE CONTEXT 

The Year 9 Chinese course builds on prior learning, hence it is preferable for students to have completed Year 8 Chinese or equivalent. The one-year course focuses on exploring, in the Chinese language, teenagers’ popular culture, using topics such as food, sports, science, film and music, and the media. The course explores the component of language through a hands-on practical program application. In addition, the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi  (HSK) syllabus for Level 1 will be embedded into the course. This will enable students to sit for the HSK Level 1 test at the end of the year. The HSK is China's official language proficiency exam and it measures the ability of a non-native speaker to use Chinese. It is also internationally recognised and often used by governments and multi-nationals as a basis for employment, promotion and pay increases. 

 

Through studying Chinese, students will have the opportunity to do the following:

  • Apply language and culture in real-life social settings.
  • Develop an advanced understanding of Chinese characters and grammar.
  • Develop communication skills in a language other than English using multi-media.
  • Be able to communicate in Chinese within the stated specific objectives for each course.
  • Explore the youth culture and the impact of globalisation on Modern China.
  • Compare traditions and modernisation in the Chinese society.
  • Foster multicultural understanding.
  • Understand their own language better and equip themselves with skills needed for learning other languages.
  • Expand and consolidate their literacy skills.

Notebooks computers and other forms of media will be used to access information and to reinforce learning. Students will be introduced to a range of software and websites which will be helpful in their studies. 

 

Students subscribe to the Language Education Perfect online learning site.

 

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

 

YEAR 10 LANGUAGES 

CONTEMPORARY CULTURE AND FUTURE PLANS: FRENCH CONTEXT

The Year 10 French course builds on prior learning, with a greater focus on the use of authentic materials and the use of the French language to access information and communicate. It is preferable for students to have completed Year 9 French or equivalent. Throughout the Year 10 course, students will become more familiar with the shifting culture within France and Francophone countries.  An emphasis is put on the exploration of a wide range of grammatical concepts and tenses to enable students to express themselves more freely on topics such as friendships, health, past weekend activities and holidays as well as their future plans.

 

A TAFE Certificate II in Applied Languages (French) is embedded in the Year 10 French curriculum. The completion of a Certificate Course can contribute towards fulfilling WACE requirements.

 

Through studying French students will have the opportunity to:

  • Develop communication skills in a language other than English.
  • Be able to communicate in French within the stated specific objectives for each course.
  • Appreciate the social and cultural context in which French operates.
  • Foster multicultural understanding.
  • Understand their own language better and equip themselves with skills needed for learning other languages.
  • Expand and consolidate their literacy skills.

Students will access French websites, listen to contemporary French music, watch and respond to French films and further explore French culture. Students will increase their ability to communicate in speech and writing while they are introduced to grammar through creative contexts such as songs and comic books. 

 

Notebook computers will be used to access information and to reinforce learning. Students will use a range of software and websites which will be helpful in their studies.

 

Students subscribe to the Language Education Perfect online learning site.

 

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

 

GATEWAY TO MODERN CHINA: UNDERSTANDING THE PAST; EMBRACING THE FUTURE

The Year 10 Chinese course is designed to advance students' knowledge of China and Chinese culture through a variety of learning experiences. It is preferable for students to have completed Year 9 Chinese or equivalent to enrol in this course. It further develops the grammar and vocabulary acquired in Year 9. Students will be able to express themselves more freely in Chinese, discussing many of the things that interest them. In addition, the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) syllabus for Level 1 will be embedded into the course. This will enable students to sit for the HSK Level 1 test at the end of the year. The HSK is China’s official language proficiency exam and it measures the ability of a non-native speaker to use Chinese. It is also internationally recognised and often used by governments and multi-nationals as a basis for employment, promotion and pay increases.

 

Students subscribe to the Education Perfect online learning site.

 

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