2012 Year 9 Curriculum Guide - Brisbane State High School

Learning Area Languages
There are five choices for students of Year 9 in this Learning Area:
1. French
2. German
3. Italian
4. Japanese
5. Modern Greek
Languages can be studied for one semester (Minor) or two semesters (Major).
To ensure deep understanding of a subject within a Learning Area, students are expected to continue a subject
from Year 8 into Year 9. Exceptions may be made only after discussion with the relevant Head(s) of Department.
Students who want to continue learning a language in Year 10 and/or Years 11 and 12 are strongly advised to
choose to do two semesters (Major) in that language in Year 9. This will mean that the language will be studied
in both semesters
Students who decide to do the minimum requirements for languages study will choose a one semester unit
(Minor) for Year 9 in the same language as that studied in Year 8. This subject will be studied in Semester 1,
2012.
It is possible to study more that one language in Year 9 if both languages were studied during Year 8.
The common elements of all Language courses offered at State High are:
a focus on the four skills of:
listening
speaking
reading
writing
integrating cultural understanding with language learning
an experience of the cuisine of the country
incorporate the latest ICTs to enhance language learning experiences
opportunities to interact with exchange students from the country
For all languages, the topics studies are drawn from the following:
Family and friends
Houses and homes
Expressing abilities and opinions
Leisure activities and daily routines
Going places, talking about weather, counting costs
Holidays and festivals
The Habits of Mind for Year 9 Languages:
Thinking about your thinking (Metacognition)
Being aware of one’s own understanding, thoughts, strategies, feelings and actions
Striving for accuracy and precision
A desire for exactness, fidelity and craftsmanship