Languages

"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things." - Flora Lewis

Welcome to the vibrant world of languages at Newman Catholic College! We believe that embracing languages opens doors to new cultures, perspectives, and opportunities.

Our language department offers an enriching array of options, including Chinese, French, Italian, and Japanese. Whether you're exploring the fascinating characters of Mandarin, the romantic rhythms of French, the lyrical tones of Italian, or the captivating scripts of Japanese, there's a language pathway suited to your interests and aspirations.

For our senior students, we provide diverse pathways tailored to individual goals. Students can engage in the challenges of ATAR language subjects, preparing for academic challenges, or opt for the practicality and versatility of Certificate II and III in applied languages, equipping themselves with valuable skills for today's globalized world.

We encourage all students to seize the opportunities available and become global citizens, embracing linguistic diversity as a cornerstone of cultural understanding and international cooperation.

Join us as we embark on an exciting journey of discovery, communication, and connection through language learning.

Year 7-8 Languages

In Years 7 and 8, students embark on their language learning journey, whether it be Chinese, French, Italian, or Japanese. Their prior experiences shape this journey, influencing their approach to mastering the language. Across all languages, students utilize their newfound linguistic skills to navigate their personal spheres and engage with peers and educators both in and out of the classroom.

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities are central to their learning, supported by scaffolding, modelling, and constructive feedback. While each language presents its unique challenges, students access a variety of authentic resources, including conversations, audio and video clips, textbooks, advertisements, blogs, and magazines, tailored to their respective language.

In Chinese, students begin by learning Pinyin to grasp the sounds of new words, associating them with characters. They also draw upon their English literacy to compare linguistic structures and cultural nuances between the two languages.

In French and Italian, students similarly explore language structures and cultural contexts, reflecting on pronunciation and language features through the lens of their English literacy.

In Japanese, students navigate the complexities of familiar katakana and kanji, supported by hiragana charts. They also leverage their English literacy to understand the similarities and differences between Japanese and English language structures and features, recognizing how language choices reflect cultural values and identities.

Year 9 Languages

Year 9 LanguagesIn Year 9, language learning takes students deeper into the cultural and linguistic landscapes of Chinese, French, Italian, or Japanese. Building upon their foundation, students use the language to initiate and sustain interactions, sharing their own experiences and connecting with others locally and globally.

Across all languages, students engage in listening, speaking, reading, and viewing activities, honing their skills to communicate effectively in various contexts. They receive ongoing support from both peers and educators, benefitting from guidance, modelling, feedback, and encouragement.

Students access a diverse array of authentic resources, increasingly exercising their own discretion in selecting materials that resonate with their interests. These resources span spoken, written, and multimodal texts, encompassing textbooks, audio and video clips, magazines, online articles, and social media platforms.

As they navigate these linguistic landscapes, students recognize the multifaceted influences on communication and cultural identity. They acknowledge that these influences shape their own behaviours, values, and beliefs, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between language and culture.

Year 10 – 12 ATAR Pathway

In Year 10 (ATAR Pathway), language learning prepares students for their senior years learning styles with four major assessments that matches the Year 11 and 12 assessment schedules. Students will receive scaffolding for understanding the cognitive verbs. Trainings will be provided for short responses, extended responses, and combination responses in both English and the target language.

Each Year 11 – 12 ATAR Pathway language course is a course of study consisting of four units. Subject matter, learning experiences and assessment increase in complexity from Units 1 and 2 to Units 3 and 4 as students develop greater independence as learners. 

Units 1 and 2 provide foundational learning, which allows students to experience all syllabus objectives and begin engaging with the course subject matter. Students will complete Units 1and 2 before beginning Unit 3. 

Units 3 and 4 consolidate student learning. Only the results from Units 3 and 4 will contribute to ATAR calculations.

Unit 1 - My World

  • Formative internal assessments

Unit 2 - Exploring our World

  • Formative internal assessments

Unit 3 - Our Society

  • Summative internal assessment 1: Examination — short response (15%)
  • Summative internal assessment 2: Examination — combination response (30%)

Unit 4 - My Future

  • Summative internal assessment 3: Extended response (30%)
  • Summative external assessment: Examination — combination response (25%)
Year 10 – 12 VET Pathway

In Year 10, 11 and 12, language students are offered the VET Pathway along with the ATAR Pathway. Students have the option of taking either or both pathways. Certificate II in Applied Language (one-year course) is offered to Year 10 students, and Certificate III in Applied Language (two-year course) is offered to Year 11 students. Both courses are nationally accredited. Satisfactory completion of the course(s) and attainment of the certificate(s) will count towards students’ QCE. Successful completion of the Certificate III course may also count towards ATAR score depending on how it is combined with other subjects.

The Certificate II & III in Applied Language courses are designed to provide individuals with language skills and intercultural knowledge to enable them to communicate in social and workplace situations in a language other than English, both in Australia and overseas. The courses apply to all languages - the specific language to be acquired will depend on student demand at the time of provision. Students are not required to be enrolled in Year 9 language programs to be eligible for the Certificate II course. Students who have completed Certificate II in Applied Language or equivalent will be eligible for Certificate III enrolment.

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Electives

French

French offers students the chance to engage with one of the world’s most spoken and culturally rich languages. Following the Australian Curriculum, students develop key communication skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Japanese

Japanese provides students with the chance to explore one of the world’s most unique cultures and languages. Aligned with the Australian Curriculum, this subject develops essential skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Chinese

Choosing Chinese offers students the chance to learn one of the world’s oldest and most spoken languages. Following the Australian Curriculum, students develop essential skills in Mandarin—speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Italian

Italian offers students a chance to engage with one of Europe’s most influential languages and cultures. Aligned with the Australian Curriculum, the subject develops key communication skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Extra-curricular Activities

In the multifaceted landscape of our Languages Department, a diverse range of extra-curricular activities serves as vital conduits for cultural exchange and linguistic immersion.

At the heart of our department's offerings lies the lunchtime Languages Club, an oasis for students to delve into the intricacies of language beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. Through engaging discussions and interactive activities, participants traverse linguistic boundaries and explore the nuances of global communication.

Complementing this immersive experience are our overseas study tours, meticulously curated journeys that transcend mere sightseeing to offer students firsthand encounters with foreign cultures and languages. Against the backdrop of diverse landscapes, students deepen their understanding of language in context, fostering a profound appreciation for cultural diversity.

Central to our department's ethos is the hosting and organisation of cultural exchanges for international visitors. Through these meticulously planned initiatives, our school community becomes a nexus for intercultural dialogue, fostering meaningful connections that bridge geographical divides.

Integral to the success of these endeavours are our dedicated student buddies, whose role extends beyond mere hospitality to encompass genuine friendship and cultural exchange. Through their efforts, visitors are seamlessly integrated into our school community, enriching the experiences of all involved.

In the realm of our Languages Department, each activity serves as a testament to the transformative power of language in fostering global citizenship and intercultural understanding. As we continue to embrace these opportunities for engagement, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing lifelong learners equipped to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Finally, we would like to thank all the stakeholders for the effort and dedication in supporting language teaching and learning. Our teachers and students are very fortunate to be part of this wonderful community.