Why Learn LOTE Chinese? Importance and Benefits of Studying Chinese Language

Why Learn LOTE Chinese? THE LANGUAGE The language to be studied and assessed is the modern standard/official version of Chinese. For the purpose of this syllabus, Modern Standard Chinese is taken to be putonghua in the spoken form, and simplified character text in the written form. Throughout the Chinese-speaking communities, Modern Standard Chinese may also be known as Mandarin, Guoyu, Huayu, Hanyu, Zhongwen and Zhongguohua.

RATIONALE The study of a language other than English contributes to the overall education of students, most particularly in the area of communication, but also in the areas of cross- cultural understanding, cognitive development, literacy and general knowledge. It provides access to the culture of communities which use the language and promotes understanding of different attitudes and values within the wider Australian community and beyond. The study of Chinese develops students ability to understand and use a language which is spoken by about a quarter of the world s population. There are many spoken varieties of Chinese, and Modern Standard Chinese is pre- eminent among these.

RATIONALE continued It is the major language of communication in China, Taiwan and Singapore, and is widely used by Chinese communities throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia. Chinese is widely spoken in Australia, and the study of it by Australians will contribute to the positive features of a culturally diverse society. The study of Chinese provides access to an important cultural and linguistic heritage. In conjunction with other skills, the ability to communicate in Chinese may provide opportunities for employment in areas such as tourism, technology, finance, services and business.

AIMS This study is designed to enable students to: use Chinese to communicate with others; understand and appreciate the cultural contexts in which Chinese is used; understand their own culture(s) through the study of other cultures; understand language as a system; make connections between Chinese and English, and/or other languages; apply Chinese to work, further study, training or leisure

STRUCTURE The study is made up of four units. Each unit deals with specific content and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes. Each outcome is described in terms of key knowledge and skills. UNIT 1 (SEM1) & UNIT 2 (SEM2) = YEAR 11 UNIT 3(SEM 1) & UNIT 4 (SEM2) = YEAR 12

ENTRY There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3. Students must undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4. The study of Chinese is offered at three levels in the VCE (Chinese First Language, Chinese Second Language and Chinese Second Language Advanced). Entry into these levels is governed by eligibility criteria, which are monitored regularly and published on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website and in the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook. Chinese Second Language is designed for students who will, typically, have studied the language for at least 200 hours prior to the commencement of Unit 1. It is possible, however, that some students with less formal experience will also be able to meet the requirements successfully. Chinese Second Language Advanced is designed for students who will, typically, have had more experience of Chinese (see above mentioned eligibility criteria). Units 1 to 4 are designed to an appropriate standard for the final years of secondary education. All VCE studies are benchmarked against comparable national and international curriculum.

Why Study LOTE Chinese? DURATION Each unit involves at least 50 hours of scheduled classroom instruction.

Why Study LOTE Chinese?

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