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. Students are able to study a language from a range of Asian and European language courses. 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 at Killarney Heights High School complete introductory ‘taster' courses in three languages for a term each: Chinese, French and Japanese, with cultural aspects being taught in Term 4. Advanced French students will continue to study French in Year 7, however, these students will also study the 'taster' course languages. These students can continue with their advanced studies in Years 8, 9 and 10 and this will be recognised in their record of school achievement. It is compulsory for all Year 8 students to study 100 hours of a language: French, Chinese, Japanese or advanced French. Students in Years 9 and 10 can elect to continue their study of one or more languages: Chinese, French, Japanese or advanced French.
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 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 Open High School and the Saturday School of Community 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.
Study trips and exchange opportunities
To enhance the study of languages, the language faculty is involved in a number of exchange programs and visits to/from overseas schools. Sister school relationships have been established with:
- French Lycée Arbez Carme, a French high school in the Jura region in France
- Hiroshima Commercial Junior High School in Japan
- Yue Qing High School China.
These sister school relationships provide educational opportunities for students from both schools to use their language skills and increase their knowledge and appreciation of different cultures. They also encourage intercultural understanding between the students.