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.
The study of languages at Kogarah High School aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain effective skills in communicating with others, to explore the relationship between languages and English, to become more accepting of diversity, to be more respectful of others and more aware of their place in the international community. In all language courses, students will follow a specially designed program which covers a variety of topics, using a range of tasks (reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing). Students will be given homework after each topic and will be required to complete research projects throughout the course.
Languages is a compulsory course in Year 7. Lessons are structured to:
- Familiarise students with the culture of the country.
- Enable students to comprehend simple spoken instructions and conversations in the target language.
Languages is an elective course offered in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12.
In Years 9 and 10 lessons are structured to:
- Build upon their previous knowledge gained in Years 7
- Provide students with a deeper understanding of the grammar and language convention of the target language.
- Enable students to communicate effectively in the target language.
"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
In Years 11 & 12 the language courses offered are Japanese Beginners, Japanese Continuers, and Chinese and Literature. Lessons are structured to enable students to:
- Develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the target language.
- Communicate confidently in the target language.
- Develop the ability to move successfully across and within cultures.
- Provide students with opportunities for continued learning and for future employment and experience, both domestically and internationally, in areas such as public relations, commerce, hospitality, education, marketing, international relations, media and tourism.