Jiaxin (Jasmine) Tao, Year 12 Japanese

With overseas exchanges off the table for 2021, students’ opportunities to practise their language with a native speaker have become even more important and pertinent. Students in Years 11 and 12 who are studying Chinese, French or Japanese are provided with weekly or fortnightly conversation sessions of approximately 30 minutes in length. Overseas students are able to participate online; other students participate in person or online on campus. Our flexible delivery ensures that students will not miss the opportunity to speak in their second language.

The oral component of the VCE examination constitutes 37.5 % of students’ final Study score. Strong performance in a language therefore depends on a strong performance in the Oral Exam. To speak in a seemingly impromptu manner in a second language is the result of many years’ deliberate practice both inside and beyond the classroom. Like high performing sportswomen, students of Languages must commit to regular practice to build this capacity over time.

Olivia Cunningham & Emma Froomes (Year 11 Chinese)

Part A of the examination consists of seven minutes of General Conversation on everyday topics such as Family, Leisure Activities and students’ engagement with the language and culture of the language of acquisition. (immersion in Foreign Language film festivals, online magazines and holiday classes have never been more important). Part B involves a Discussion of a detailed area of investigation. (Chinese: Famous People; Chinese Food, Japanese: Social Media; Mental Health, French: The Changing Role of Women).

Examiners will assess students’ capacity to present and justify detailed opinions and ideas; to advance the interaction confidently and readily; and to speak with sophisticated vocabulary and grammar, demonstrating authentic pronunciation.

For Year 11 students this is an important time to build confidence and fluency in advance of the rigours of their Year 12 studies. Helping students to sustain their commitment to (seemingly) distant goals is our challenge in order to nurture “independent and globally responsive young women”. We work in partnership with families to ensure progressive development of students’ critical language skills.