In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela
Language learning opens doors into the world by helping us:
- understand how others speak and think
- appreciate their customs and traditions
- communicate with them with tolerance and savoir-faire
- create opportunities for future careers and international exchanges.
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.
Overview
The aim of the Languages Faculty at our school is to foster and promote the enjoyment of studying a language other than English. Opportunities to gain enrichment through cultural activities and excursions are offered in all courses. Students may choose from the following languages: Chinese, French and Japanese.
Years 7 to 10
Students who have studied French in primary school continue to study French in Year 7 at either the Prior Learning level (Anglophones) or Background Speakers level (Francophones). All students then study 100 hours of a language in Year 8: French, Chinese or Japanese. Within French, different classes are offered to cater to students’ level: Beginners, Prior Learning or Background Speakers. Students in Years 9 and 10 can elect to continue their study of one or more languages: Chinese, French, Japanese or French for Background Speakers.
Chinese cooking & calligraphy in Stage 4 & 5
Years 11 and 12
Preliminary and Higher School Certificate (HSC) courses—these language courses are offered at different levels to cater for the language backgrounds of students:
- Beginners courses start in Year 11 and are for students who have not studied the language since Year 8, and who have no background in the language (2 units).
- Continuers courses are offered in Years 11 and 12 for continuing students of Chinese, French and Japanese (2 units).
- Chinese and Literature—the preliminary course starts in Year 11 (2 units) and continues into Year 12 as the Chinese and Literature HSC course.
- Extension courses for Year 12 students who are studying/have studied Chinese, French or Japanese Continuers courses (1 unit).
Other Languages studies
Language in context courses in Asian languages (starting in Year 11), as well as various community languages (Years 7 to 12), are not available at our school but are offered by the New South Wales School of Languages (distance education) and the Secondary College of Languages .
Please note: language in context course students are typically those who have been brought up in a home where that language is used and who have a connection to the culture.
For further information regarding NSW School of Languages please contact Ms. Kate Thompson or for Secondary College of Languages contact Ms. Shirley Cai.
