Languages Group
Course Outlines
Language Courses at St Mary's College
Scroll down for descriptions of:
- Italian
- Japanese (VSL)
Students studying languages not offered at St Mary's College through VSL will be accommodated and supported by the College. Speak to us about how we can help you.
Italian
Course Description
The study of a language other than English contributes to the overall education of students, most particularly in the area of communication, but also in the areas of cross-cultural understanding, cognitive development, literacy and general knowledge. It provides access to the culture of communities which use the language and promotes understanding of different attitudes and values within the wider Australian community and beyond.
VCE Italian focuses on student participation in interpersonal communication, interpreting the language of other speakers, and presenting information and ideas in Italian on a range of themes and topics. Students develop and extend skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing in Italian in a range of contexts and develop cultural understanding in interpreting and creating language. Students develop their understanding of the relationships between language and culture in new contexts and consider how these relationships shape communities. Throughout the study students are given opportunities to make connections and comparisons.
Course Structure
The study is made up of four units. Each unit deals with language and specific content contained in the areas of study and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes for that unit. Each outcome is described in terms of key knowledge and key skills.
There are three prescribed themes for study in VCE Italian:
- The individual
- The Italian-speaking communities
- The world around us.
Unit 1
In this unit students develop an understanding of the language and culture/s of Italian-speaking communities through the study of three or more topics from the prescribed themes. Students access and share useful information on the topics and subtopics through Italian and consolidate and extend vocabulary and grammar knowledge and language skills. They focus on analysing cultural products or practices including visual, spoken or written texts.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Unit 2
In this unit students develop an understanding of aspects of language and culture through the study of three or more topics from the prescribed themes. Students analyse visual, spoken and written texts. They access and share useful information on the topics and subtopics through Italian and consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Unit 3
In this unit students investigate the way Italian speakers interpret and express ideas and negotiate and persuade in Italian through the study of three or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Students interpret information, inform others, and reflect upon and develop persuasive arguments. They access and share useful information on the subtopics through Italian and consolidate and extend vocabulary and grammar knowledge and language skills.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Unit 4
In this unit students investigate aspects of culture through the study of two or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Students build on their knowledge of Italian-speaking communities, considering cultural perspectives and language and explaining personal observations. Students consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills to investigate the topics through Italian.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Entry and Recommendations
To enter Unit 1 and 2, students are required to have an average result of "Proficient" in Year 10 Italian assessment tasks. Before attempting Unit 3, students must have a minimum C+ average in Units 1 and 2. Italian is designed for students who will, typically, have studied Italian for at least 400 hours at the completion of Year 12. It is possible, however, that some students with less formal experience will also be able to meet the requirements successfully. Students must also undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4. Language learning requires a student to be committed and dedicated. A strong work ethic is necessary.
Assessment
Satisfactory Completion
Demonstration of achievement of outcomes and satisfactory completion of a unit are determined by evidence gained through the assessment of a range of learning activities and tasks.
Level of Achievement
Unit 1 and 2
- Coursework Unit 1
- Role-play
- Descriptive summary of information
- Written presentation
- Examination
- Coursework Unit 2
- Personal email response
- Writing from different perspectives
- Written narrative of life story
- Examination
Unit 3 and 4
- Unit 3 School-based Assessment 25%
- Role-play
- Interpretive response
- Personal, informative or imaginative writing
- Unit 4 School-based Assessment 25%
- Interview
- Written response
- Evaluative or persuasive written response
- Examination 50%
- Oral component
- Written component
Japanese (VSL)
Course Description
The study of a language other than English contributes to the overall education of students, most particularly in the area of communication, but also in the areas of cross-cultural understanding, cognitive development, literacy and general knowledge. It provides access to the culture of communities which use the language and promotes understanding of different attitudes and values within the wider Australian community and beyond. VCE Japanese Second Language focuses on student participation in interpersonal communication, interpreting the language of other speakers, and presenting information and ideas in Japanese on a range of themes and topics. Students develop and extend skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing in Japanese in a range of contexts and develop cultural understanding in interpreting and creating language. Students develop their understanding of the relationships between language and culture in new contexts and consider how these relationships shape communities. Throughout the study students are given opportunities to make connections and comparisons based on personal reflections about the role of language and culture in communication and in personal identity.
Course Structure
The study is made up of four units. Each unit deals with language and specific content contained in the areas of study and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes for that unit. Each outcome is described in terms of key knowledge and key skills.
There are three prescribed themes for study in VCE Japanese:
- The individual
- The Japanese-speaking communities
- The world around us.
Unit 1
In this unit students develop an understanding of the language and culture/s of Japanese-speaking communities through the study of three or more topics from the prescribed themes. Students access and share useful information on the topics and subtopics through Japanese and consolidate and extend vocabulary and grammar knowledge and language skills. They focus on analysing cultural products or practices including visual, spoken or written texts.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Unit 2
In this unit students develop an understanding of aspects of language and culture through the study of three or more topics from the prescribed themes listed on page. Students analyse visual, spoken and written texts. They access and share useful information on the topics and subtopics through Japanese and consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Unit 3
In this unit students investigate the way Japanese speakers interpret and express ideas and negotiate and persuade in Japanese through the study of three or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Students interpret information, inform others, and reflect upon and develop persuasive arguments. They access and share useful information on the subtopics through Japanese and consolidate and extend vocabulary and grammar knowledge and language skills.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Unit 4
In this unit students investigate aspects of culture through the study of two or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Students build on their knowledge of Japanese-speaking communities, considering cultural perspectives and language and explaining personal observations. Students consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills to investigate the topics through Japanese.
Area of Study
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
Entry and Recommendations
To enter Unit 1 and 2, students are required to have an average result of "Proficient" in Year 10 Japanese assessment tasks. Before attempting Unit 3, students must have a minimum C+ average in Units 1 and 2. Japanese is designed for students who will, typically, have studied Japanese for at least 400 hours at the completion of Year 12. It is possible, however, that some students with less formal experience will also be able to meet the requirements successfully. Students must also undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4. Language learning requires a student to be committed and dedicated. A strong work ethic is necessary.
Assessment
Satisfactory Completion
Demonstration of achievement of outcomes and satisfactory completion of a unit are determined by evidence gained through the assessment of a range of learning activities and tasks.
Level of Achievement
Unit 1 and 2
- Coursework Unit 1
- Conversation or interview
- Interpret instructions
- Presentation
- Examination
- Coursework Unit 2
- Personal email response
- Evaluate arguments
- Communicate a personal story
- Examination
Unit 3 and 4
- Unit 3 School-based Assessment 25%
- Role-play
- Interpret information
- Informative or imaginative written response
- Unit 4 School-based Assessment 25%
- Interview
- Analysis of information written response
- Evaluative or persuasive piece of writing
- Examination 50%
- Oral component
- Written component