Languages

In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.

Introduction

Learning a language provides students with an opportunity to communicate and engage with the world and its people. At BHS, students learn Korean by developing and applying their knowledge of the language and culture. Studying a language enhances communication with speakers of the target language and equips learners with intercultural capability. They engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of the world and develop respect, openness and empathy.

Students explore Korean culture and their own heritage, language and culture. This enriches a student’s understanding of themselves and their sense of belonging as they are exposed to new ways of seeing their own identity and culture. Students are invited to consider the perspectives of others and the world beyond themselves, contributing to their own social and emotional development. Learning a language provides students with opportunities to engage socially, culturally and economically in the community. They develop a deeper understanding of their place in the world and the importance of global citizenship.

Learning a language improves literacy outcomes in first and additional languages and it also increases metalinguistic awareness. Learning languages strengthens collaborative and problem-solving skills, and enhances reflective, critical and creative thinking.

The communicative, intercultural and intellectual benefits of language learning reach beyond the individual. Proficiency in languages is a resource that serves communities and supports and promotes social cohesion within Australia. It strengthens intercultural capability, and enables students to exchange and negotiate meaning within and across languages and cultures, both locally and globally. Students develop their communicative competence and ability to use the target language in real situations and see language learning as offering valuable skills for life.

Faculty Leadership

Lead by Head Teacher - Laura Oliver-Graham

Faculty Overview

The language faculty promotes language proficiency, cultural understanding, and global citizenship.

It plays a vital role in providing students with opportunities to develop proficiency in a language other than their first language. The faculty designs and implements language programs that align with state standards and cater to the needs of diverse learners. It delivers high-quality language instruction to students, focusing on the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the target language. The faculty designs and implements assessment tasks to evaluate students' language proficiency and provide constructive feedback to support their learning progress. The faculty introduces students to the cultural aspects of the target language, including traditions, customs, and practices, to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

Curriculum and Programs

Bomaderry High School offers Korean as a language.

Courses:

● All Year 8 Mainstream classes

● Year 9 Elective class

● Support Class Specialty class

Modern Languages 7–10

● communication is the central goal in language learning

● the 3 focus areas are interacting, understanding texts and creating texts

● knowledge of language systems is applied in all focus areas and is an essential part of communication

● intercultural capability is the capacity to exchange, understand and create meaning between people and across languages and cultures and is developed in all focus areas.

The aim of Modern Languages 7–10 is to empower students to become effective communicators in the target language by developing linguistic competence and intercultural capability.

Students:

● learn to interact, understand and create texts in the target language

● reflect on and understand their own and others’ languages, cultures and identity

● develop an interest in and enjoyment of language learning.

Student Support

Google Classroom and Workspace: The English Faculty use Google Classroom to create and distribute assignments, set due dates, track student progress and provide essential feedback. Teachers and students communicate through announcements, comments, and private messages. Teachers can share resources such as documents, slides, and videos with students. Google Classroom seamlessly integrates with other Google apps such as Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making it easy for students to access and submit their work. When used together, Google Classroom and Google Workspace provide a comprehensive digital learning environment, allowing for seamless integration of assignments, resources, communication, and collaboration. They support both in-person and remote learning, making them valuable tools for modern education.

Multicultural Club: Several times a term, the Language Faculty runs a lunchtime club where students can chat about all things culture. This is a great way for students to make like minded friends across year groups and cultures, and come together in a safe and inclusive environment.

Sister School - Yang Pyeong: BHS has a Sister School in Korea. During language lessons, students engage and communicate with students from the sister school in order to strengthen their language and communication skills, as well as partake in culturally diverse and enjoyable activities. Students have welcomed the students from Yang Pyeong here in Australia for visits and have had the opportunity to travel to Korea for major whole school excursions. We are very proud of this ongoing connection.

Resources and Links

NESA Syllabus 7-10: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/learning-areas/languages/modern-languages-k-10-2022/overview

Yang Pyeong Visit BHS 2023:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57YfHRE-iGY