In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.
Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
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.
Year 7/8
Japanese
Year 7 Language is a compulsory subject which introduces students to Japanese language and culture.
Year 8 Language is an elective subject designed for students who are interested in languages and cultures of different countries. Students will consolidate and build on the knowledge of Japanese language and culture from Year 7 although it is also suitable for beginners.
Knowledge of a foreign language can help improve a student's awareness and understanding of English.
The language course will broaden students' experiences through activities such as role-plays, games, cooking and arts and crafts, using aspects of each country's culture as a focus. Topics may include lifestyle, travel, drama, anime/manga and food. Students may also have the opportunity to visit a Japanese restaurant as part of the course.
Wiradjuri Language Revival
Families and Country.
Aboriginal languages are fundamental to strengthening the identity of Aboriginal people and their connection to country. Recognition of the independence of language, identity and land is imperative. Learning in this subject focuses on developing students' skills, knowledge and understanding of family terms, question words, past and present continuous verbs forms. Students will learn to listen, read and respond to texts and learn to incorporate modelled linguistic structures in order to write a short text that introduces their family and create a dialogue about family activities.
Wagga Wagga High School respects Aboriginal cultural protocols and will implement extensive consultation with the local custodians of the land, the Wiradjuri people, the Wiradjuri Elders and their community.
Year 9/10
Japanese
Year 9/10 Japanese is for students who are interested in meeting new people and learning new ways of thinking. Knowing a second-language can often set you apart when applying for jobs in any industry. This course will provide students with the language skills to communicate in everyday situations involving daily routine, shopping, school life and free time activities.
Students will also develop their confidence in reading and writing hiragana through a range of games and activities. Cultural activities such as cooking, calligraphy and some arts and crafts will also be undertaken.
Year 11/12
Japanese Beginners
Prerequisites:
Stage 4 Japanese may be useful but is not essential
Exclusions:
Japanese Continuers; Japanese Background Speakers. Other eligibility rules apply- check with your teacher or the Board's ACE Manual
Course Description:
This course will provide students with an advantage in a world where many workers are multilingual. Employers are seeking employees who are global citizens, who demonstrate their respect for possible clients or trading partners and have a flexibility of thinking through their knowledge of another culture and language.
In the Preliminary and HSC Courses, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Japanese and acquire knowledge of Japanese as a system through seven themes and the integrated use of the four skills- listening, speaking, reading and writing
Themes:
- Personal world
- Japanese speaking communities
- Family life, home and neighbourhood
- People, places and communities
- Friends, recreation and pastimes
- Holidays, travel and tourism
- Future plans and aspirations
Assessment Procedures:
During the preliminary course students will complete three tasks assessing student skills in Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing and Responding in spoken and written Japanese.
HSC Internal Assessment consists of four tasks assessing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Students also complete an external assessment of a 2½ hour written examination (Listening, reading and writing in Japanese) and a 5 minute oral examination.
Japanese Continuers
Prerequisites:
Stage 5 Japanese or equivalent knowledge is assumed
Exclusions:
Japanese Beginners; Japanese Background Speakers. Other eligibility rules apply- check with your teacher or the Board's ACE Manual.
Course Description:
This course will provide students with an advantage in a world where many workers are multilingual. Employers are seeking employees who are global citizens, who demonstrate their respect for possible clients or trading partners and have a flexibility of thinking through their knowledge of another culture and language.
The Preliminary and HSC courses are organised with a focus on different themes and topics. Students' skills will be developed through tasks associated with a range of text types that reflect the themes and topics. Students will also gain an insight into the language and culture of Japanese-speaking communities.
Themes:
- the individual
- Japanese-speaking communities
- The changing world
Students' language skills are developed through:
- conversation
- responding to an aural stimulus
- responding to a variety of written material
- writing for a variety of purposes
- studying Japanese culture
Assessment Procedures:
During the preliminary course students will complete three tasks assessing student skills in Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing and Responding in spoken and written Japanese.
HSC Internal Assessment consists of four tasks accessing Speaking; Listening and responding; Reading and Responding; Writing in Japanese. Students also complete an external assessment which includes a Ten minute oral examination (Conversation) and 3 hour written examination (Listening and Responding, Reading and Responding, Writing in Japanese).