Newcastle High School

Quality education in a caring environment

Telephone02 4969 3177

Emailnewcastle-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

World Languages

... a different language is a different vision of life ...

FEDERICO FELLINI

In New South Wales 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 Year 7 or Year 8. In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.

Goals

  • directly help students develop the skills needed to succeed in a technology and knowledge driven world by learning a second language - including the skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and visual literacy
  • expand students’ opportunities in relation to personal, social, cultural and employment
  • create fun learning opportunities
  • develop students’ appreciation of their own and other peoples’ culture, beliefs, and values 

Features

  • specialised Japanese and French Learning Spaces
  • faculty specific laptops
  • latest in new language syllabus resources and textbooks
  • extensive opportunities to teach about Australian Aboriginal culture in the context of teaching about French and Japanese cultures    

Activities

  • incursions or excursions to try traditional French and Japanese food
  • excursion Japanese International School
  • exchange opportunities
  • host Family opportunities
  • excursion to Japan (in planning stage) in 2020
  • speech Competition to win a trip to Japan!
  • french film festival in Newcastle
  • Hiragana Club at lunch time on Mondays
  • cultural activities through Alliance Français
  • calligraphy lesson by the Sydney Japanese Consulate
  • video conferences with native speakers
  • use of technology to enhance learning (apps, online games, digital textbooks, anime, laptops, scheduled access to computer lab)
  • French penpal exchange opportunities    

Team

  • Nick Biddle  HEAD TEACHER
  • Elisa Biasiol
  • Jodie Vandemeer

Links

Courses

STAGE 4: Y7 & Y8

  • Y7 complete their mandatory language learning hours
  • Year 7 Passion Project: My Dream Travel Adventure. Do you have somewhere in the world that you would love to see? You can do it now - virtually! In this course you will embark on a journey to discover cultures, landmarks, and traditions of your chosen country around the world, integrating geography, history, creative expression and virtual reality. 
  • Y8 we offer the Passion Electives: from Ninja to Anime and Vive le France and Viva Italia!    

STAGE 5: Y9 & Y10

  • elective Japanese class combined  Y9 nd Y10

STAGE 6: Y11 & Y12

  • Y11 & Y12 French class
  • 2020 Japanese and French classes

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We would like to pay our respects and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and also pay respect to Elders both past and present.

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