Languages
Rossmoyne Senior High School offers students opportunities to select study from four languages: Chinese (Mandarin), French, German and Japanese. Chinese (Mandarin) is taught both as a ‘second language’ course and as an ‘advanced’ course. The ‘advanced’ course is designed for students from Chinese–speaking backgrounds.
Currently all Year 8 and 9 students are studying at least one language other than English. Year 10 students enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Langauges program continue their langauges studies in Year 10. For other Year 10 students, however, the study of a foreign language becomes an elective. There are many opportunities for all students to extend their language learning and level of proficiency, both through extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, as well as by going on organised overseas trips or exchanges.
- Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) 2009/2010.
- Exchanges and Tours.
- Scholarships and Awards.
- Extra-curricular activities.
- Cross-curricular activities.
- Curriculum Matters.
1. Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) 2009.
Rossmoyne Senior High School takes its GATE status seriously and prides itself on a long and successful history of high-achieving languages students (see the Languages Honour Board, below). The GATE program is an integral aspect of the school, allowing students to complete three years of intensive language programs, taught by teachers who are committed to the delivery of quality pedagogy. In its teaching of GATE classes the Languages Learning Area focuses on an intercultural and, where possible, an interdisciplinary perspective. This means that language teachers work in a collaborative manner, in order to develop students’ awareness of the intercultural significance of language learning, as well as to foster awareness of others and of themselves. Intercultural language teaching empowers GATE students to make connections and to develop a deeper understanding of their own identity and have a framework, through which they learn about the world.
In declaring 2008 as the International Year of Languages the General Assembly of the United Nations, recognised that ‘...genuine multilingualism promotes unity in diversity and international understanding’. These words echoed General Peter Cosgrove, who a few years earlier stated that ‘We need to empower our children for a safer and more prosperous future. It is therefore impossible to overstate the case for expanding our collective knowledge of the languages and customs of our neighbours.'
The Australian government also recognised the need for comprehensive language teaching and learning programs across Australia, when it released its National Statement for Languages Education in Australian Schools 2005-2008, in which it committed to '...the vision of quality languages education for all students, in all schools, in all parts of the country, believing that through learning languages students and the broader Australian community gain important benefits.'
Each year students in the GATE program are able to select a language from Chinese (Mandarin), French, German and Japanese. Each language not only has its own unique linguistic challenges, but also represents an integral part of our global society. Students are required to study one of these languages for three consecutive years through Years 8, 9 and 10. Each language is taught for five 40-minute periods per week. This enables GATE students to be exposed to both the language and the culture of the target languages in more depth. As they are well-prepared in lower secondary school, GATE students are strongly encouraged to continue with their language study in Years 11 and 12. The intensive teaching and learning program enables each student to reach his or her potential. The extra tuition-time allows both teachers and students to explore different aspects of language learning. These may include:
- the use of current technology, i.e. CD-Rom, email, pod-casting and exploring language-related websites;
- cross-curricular activities, i.e. working with other teachers in different subjects;
- working on long-term projects in the target language, e.g. drama, music, media;
- exploring specific cultural events in the target languages;making use of specific talents, which students themselves may display; and
- greater emphasis on target-language proficiency through the medium of language learning.
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2. Exchanges and Tours
Exchange with German schools in Göttingen.
This exchange is organised by the Modern Languages Teachers Association of Western Australia (MLTAWA) German Cultural Visits Program. Each year students of German in Years 10, 11 and 12 are given the opportunity to travel to Germany and/or to host a student from Germany. The exchange to Germany takes place in December and January over about six weeks. Students stay with host families and also travel to various parts of Germany as a group. Reciprocal hosting takes place in July and August over about four weeks. This is a very popular exchange and provides each participant with a unique experience to both stay in the country, as well as interact with native German speakers. Details about this exchange are provided by the teachers of German at Rossmoyne Senior High School.
Japanese exchange
This bi-annual event is an exchange with schools in the Hyogo prefecture. The exchange provides students of Japanese to visit Japan and/or to host a Japanese student. Typically, students travel to Japan in January for three weeks and host a student during August for two weeks. An exchange such as this broadens students’ horizons and helps to promote understanding and goodwill between different cultures. Participants also improve their level of Japanese language proficiency. Details about this exchange are provided by the teachers of Japanese at Rossmoyne High School
French exchange
Each year, students of French in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 are given the opportunity to travel to the island of La Réunion and/or to host a student from La Réunion. The exchange to La Réunion takes place in July over approximately four weeks. Students stay with host families. Reciprocal hosting takes place during January. This exchange is organised by the Teachers of French Association and includes students from other WA schools. Details about this exchange are provided by the teachers of French at Rossmoyne Senior High School.
French tour
This is an externally organised three-week trip to France, visiting various regions of France, including a stay in Paris. Students from other WA schools can participate and the viability of a tour going ahead, is dependent upon the number of participants for a particular tour.
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3. Scholarships and Awards
The following scholarships are available to students, studying languages at Rossmoyne Senior High School. Teachers of the respective languages provide application and participation details each year.
- Seizan Fukami - Fund Scholarships for Year 12 students of Japanese.
- Goethe Institut/TAGWA Scholarships for Year 11 students of German.
- DAS (Deutsch Australischer Sprachverein) examinations in the various categories: monetary prizes for Years 8-12 students of German.
- Alliance Française examination - prizes for the winners in the various categories for Years 10-12 students of French.
- National Chinese Speaking Competition, Hanyuquiao for students of Chinese.
- SAGSE scholarship for Year 11 students of German.
- Japanese Speaking Competition for students of Japanese.
- P.A.D. German government scholarships for Year 11 students of German.
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LANGUAGES HONOUR BOARD
|
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| 2008 |
C Tong |
Year 12 |
TEE Certificate of Distinction
- Chinese: Advanced |
| 2008 |
H Halim |
Year 12 |
TEE Certificate of Distinction
- Chinese: Second Language |
| 2008 |
J Juhe |
Year 12 |
TEE Certificate of Distinction
- German |
| 2007 |
Q Law |
Year 12 |
TEE Certificate of Distinction
- Chinese as Second Language |
| 2007 |
S Juhe |
Year 12 |
TEE Subject Exhibition (German) |
| 2007 |
A Jevtovic |
Year 11 |
SAGSE scholarship
All expenses paid trip for 10 weeks in Germany |
| 2006 |
A Davies |
Year 10 |
Alliance Francaise Prize winner
Trip to La Reunion Island |
| 2006 |
M Lim |
Year 12 |
Seizan Fukami Fund Scholarship
$20000 to study Japanese at Curtin University |
| 2005 |
C Leed |
Year 11 |
Goethe Institut/TAGWA Scholarship
All expenses paid trip to Germany |
| 2005 |
A McCormick |
Year 12 |
SAGSE scholarship
All expenses paid trip for 10 weeks in Germany |
| 2004 |
N Chan &
J Ruta |
Year 12 |
Seizan Fukami Fund Scholarships
$20000 to study Japanese at Curtin University |
| 2003 |
A Thom |
Year 12 |
Goethe Institut/TAGWA Scholarship
All expenses paid trip to Germany |
| 2003 |
V Chan |
|
AFS Discover China Intensive Study
Program Scholarship: Trip to China |
| 2003 |
X Wu |
Year 12 |
TEE Subject Exhibition
- Chinese Advanced |
| 2002 |
Z Xing |
Year 12 |
TEE Subject Exhibition
- Chinese Advanced |
| 2002 |
K Nalder |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to Germany |
| 2002 |
H Greville |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to France |
| 2002 |
A Chang |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to Japan |
| 2002 |
C Farley |
Year 11 |
PAD Scholarship awarded by the German Ministry
of Foreign Affairs: Study Tour to Germany |
| 2002 |
C Edwards |
Year 12 |
Seizan Fukami Fund Scholarship
$20000 to study Japanese at Curtin University |
| 2001 |
T Hall |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to Germany |
| 2001 |
S Nalder |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to Germany |
| 2001 |
S Green |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to France |
| 2001 |
T West |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to France |
| 2001 |
L Steingiesser |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to Japan |
| 2000 |
J Pandalaneni |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to France |
| 1999 |
T Hall |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to Germany |
| 1999 |
M Anandarajah |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to France |
| 1999 |
M Bull |
Year 11 |
Department of Education Language Scholarship
Trip to China |
| 1999 |
J Pandalaneni |
Year 10 |
Alliance Francaise Prize Winner
Trip to La Reunion Island |
| 1999 |
C Tan |
Year 12 |
TEE Subject Exhibition
- Chinese Advanced |
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4. Extra Curricular Activities
Each year language students are involved with various out-of-school activities. These activities enhance the target language learning and provide students with an increased awareness of the intercultural aspects of language learning. Typically these activities include:
- visits to restaurants, related to the target language countries
- visits to cinemas to watch films in the target languages
- outings to performances, ie. drama, music, entertainment in the target languages
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5. Cross-curricular activities
Language students at Rossmoyne Senior High School are involved with a wide variety of cross-curricular activities during the school year, including:
- Chinese painting
- French cooking
- German cooking
- Chinese cooking
- Japanese cooking
- Japanese character drawing
- French art
- French music
- Festivals and sporting events
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6. Curriculum matters
At Rossmoyne Senior High School students are privileged to have a variety of experiences, which add value to the teaching and learning language programs, including:
- the availability of native-speaking tutors for Years 10, 11 and 12 language students fo Chinese, French, German and Japanese;
- the availability of a German language assistant for one day per week;
- the incidental help of parents, who possess expertise in respective target languages;
- the high degree of teacher expertise and experience in the target language, ie. native or near-native speakers;
- a wide variety of teaching and learning materials; and
- contemporary language courses.
- the availability of a French language assistant for one day per week.
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