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.
Languages other than English offered are Chinese to HSC level and junior French, Indonesian and Japanese.
Year 7 classes are about experiences in languages, basic pronunication, everyday phrases and conversational patterns. Greetings, numbers, polite phrases used in real situations and simulated conversations form part of how languages are taught. Students are encouraged to greet their teacher and ask questions in the language being studied.
Culture forms part of the curriculum and aids in the understanding of the language background, development and history. Culture lessons are mostly conducted in English and form the basis of teaching literacy and numeracy skills and reinforcing NAPLAN style learning activities. Culture research forms part of how languages are assessed.
In Year 8, students are able to choose to study one language from: French, Indonesian, Chinese or Japanese. This language must be studied for one year. These same languages will be offered for Year 9 and 10 (ROSA) and Year 11 and 12 (HSC). Classes are formed based on the number of students who select to study the language.
Chinese is taught to HSC level for both native speakers and beginners.
