Learning continuum
Recognising culture and developing respect
Typically by the end of Pre-primary Year, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
- share ideas about self and belonging with peers
Examples:
- identifying the language(s) they speak, describing something special about themselves or their families
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
Examples:
- comparing what foods are eaten at home or on special occasions
Develop respect for cultural diversity
- discuss ideas about cultural diversity in local contexts
Examples:
- identifying cultural dimensions in familiar stories and events
Interacting and empathising with others
Typically by the end of Pre-primary Year, students:
Communicate across cultures
- recognise that people use different languages to communicate
Examples:
- learning and practising greetings in several languages
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
- express their opinions and listen to the opinions of others in given situations
Examples:
- sharing views on foods they like, or ways their families celebrate significant cultural events
Empathise with others
- imagine and describe their own feelings if they were put in someone else's place
Examples:
- describing how they might feel in the place of people in stories or events
Reflecting on intercultural experiences and taking responsibility
Typically by the end of Pre-primary Year, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
Examples:
- describing the visit of an Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or other community elder to their class
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- identify examples of the acceptance and inclusion of others in given situations
Examples:
- describing what inclusion might look and sound like in the classroom or playground
Mediate cultural difference
- identify similarities and differences between themselves and their peers
Examples:
- identifying shared interests or hobbies with peers
Recognising culture and developing respect
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
Examples:
- comparing how people in different places dress, where they live, their celebrations and daily activities
Develop respect for cultural diversity
- describe ways that diversity presents opportunities for new experiences and understandings
Examples:
- describing their participation in a range of cultural events at school or in their local community
Interacting and empathising with others
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Communicate across cultures
- describe how the use of words and body language in interactions may have different meanings for various cultural groups
Examples:
- discussing the meanings of a range of facial expressions and whether these mean the same thing to all people
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
- express their own perspectives on familiar topics and texts, and identify the perspectives of others
Examples:
- exploring a variety of perspectives on a specific event
Empathise with others
- imagine and describe the feelings of others in familiar situations
Examples:
- describing how a new student might feel on their first day in their school
Reflecting on intercultural experiences and taking responsibility
Typically by the end of Year 2, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- discuss the effects of acceptance and inclusion in familiar situations
Examples:
- role playing situations that explore varying outcomes of accepting and being accepted by others
Mediate cultural difference
- recognise that cultural differences may affect understanding between people
Examples:
- seeking to understand the words and actions of others which may at first seem odd or strange to them
Recognising culture and developing respect
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
Examples:
- identifying diversity within a cultural group, such as members who challenge expectations of the cultural make-up of that group
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
Examples:
- comparing media, texts, dance and music from diverse cultural groups including their own, exploring connection to place
Interacting and empathising with others
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Communicate across cultures
- recognise there are similarities and differences in the ways people communicate, both within and across cultural groups
Examples:
- identifying various ways that people communicate depending on their relationship
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
Examples:
- exploring a range of perspectives on an issue through role plays
Empathise with others
- imagine and describe the feelings of others in a range of contexts
Examples:
- describing how children in a range of locations, such as urban or rural areas or in different countries, feel about their place
Reflecting on intercultural experiences and taking responsibility
Typically by the end of Year 4, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- explain the dangers of making generalisations about individuals and groups
Examples:
- discussing the truth of statements about groups of people that begin with the word 'all'
Mediate cultural difference
- identify ways of reaching understanding between culturally diverse groups
Examples:
- identifying common ground and shared interests, or developing shared projects with others
Recognising culture and developing respect
Typically by the end of Year 6, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
Develop respect for cultural diversity
- discuss opportunities that cultural diversity offers within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region
Examples:
- describing contributions that people from diverse cultural groups make to the community over time
Interacting and empathising with others
Typically by the end of Year 6, students:
Communicate across cultures
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
- explain perspectives that differ to expand their understanding of an issue
Examples:
- presenting the case for a perspective that differs from their own
Empathise with others
- imagine and describe the situations of others in local, national and global contexts
Examples:
- presenting another person's story as seen through their eyes or as if 'walking in their shoes'
Reflecting on intercultural experiences and taking responsibility
Typically by the end of Year 6, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
- explain what and how they have learnt from a wide range of intercultural interactions and experiences
Examples:
- explaining ways that different cultural perspectives have influenced their work or their thinking
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- explain the impact of stereotypes and prejudices on individuals and groups within Australia
Examples:
- describing possible effects of prejudice on the daily life of a person from a minority group
Mediate cultural difference
- discuss ways of reconciling differing cultural values and perspectives in addressing common concerns
Examples:
- describing ways of reaching understanding through dialogue
Recognising culture and developing respect
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
- explain ways that cultural groups and identities change over time and in different contexts
Examples:
- investigating the effects of time, re-location and changing ideas on cultural identity
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
- analyse the dynamic nature of cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices in a range of personal, social and historical contexts
Examples:
- examining gender roles, concepts of family or relationship to the land
Develop respect for cultural diversity
- understand the importance of maintaining and celebrating cultural traditions for the development of personal, group and national identities
Examples:
- investigating the complex relationship between language, culture, and identity and efforts to protect these
Interacting and empathising with others
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Communicate across cultures
- explore ways that culture shapes the use of language in a wide range of contexts
Examples:
- understanding how culture influences what people do or do not say to express cultural values, such as politeness
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
- assess diverse perspectives and the assumptions on which they are based
Examples:
- exploring the factors that cause people to hold different perspectives
Empathise with others
- imagine and describe the feelings and motivations of people in challenging situations
Examples:
- describing the possible feelings and motivations of people facing adversity, natural disasters or conflict
Reflecting on intercultural experiences and taking responsibility
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
- reflect critically on the representation of various cultural groups in texts and the media and how they respond
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- identify and challenge stereotypes and prejudices in the representation of group, national and regional identities
Examples:
- analysing the media representation of Australia's relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region over time
Mediate cultural difference
- identify and address challenging issues in ways that respect cultural diversity and the right of all to be heard
Examples:
- engaging with views they know to be different from their own to challenge their own thinking
Recognising culture and developing respect
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Investigate culture and cultural identity
- analyse how membership of local, regional, national and international groups shapes identities including their own
Examples:
- investigating the concept of multiple identities, and opportunities to operate across cultural boundaries
Explore and compare cultural knowledge, beliefs and practices
- critically analyse the complex and dynamic nature of knowledge, beliefs and practices in a wide range of contexts over time
Examples:
- exploring the complexities of traditional and contemporary cultures in a range of real and virtual settings
Develop respect for cultural diversity
- understand the importance of mutual respect in promoting cultural exchange and collaboration in an interconnected world
Examples:
- upholding the dignity and rights of others when participating in international online networks
Interacting and empathising with others
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Communicate across cultures
- analyse the complex relationship between language, thought and context to understand and enhance communication
Examples:
- engaging with texts to gain insight into the way culture shapes perspective
Consider and develop multiple perspectives
- present a balanced view on issues where conflicting views cannot easily be resolved
Examples:
- presenting multiple perspectives on complex social, environmental or economic issues
Empathise with others
- recognise the effect that empathising with others has on their own feelings, motivations and actions
Examples:
- imagining and reflecting on the impact their words and actions have on others
Reflecting on intercultural experiences and taking responsibility
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Reflect on intercultural experiences
- reflect critically on the effect of intercultural experiences on their own attitudes and beliefs and those of others
Examples:
- describing how exposure to a diversity of views, ideas or experiences has or has not changed their thinking on an issue
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- critique the use of stereotypes and prejudices in texts and issues concerning specific cultural groups at national, regional and global levels
Examples:
- assessing the use of stereotypes in the portrayal of cultural minorities in national conflicts
Mediate cultural difference
- recognise the challenges and benefits of living and working in a culturally diverse society and the role that cultural mediation plays in learning to live together
Examples:
- balancing the representation and defence of their ideas and perspectives with those of others in a range of social forums