The nature of the learners

Students integrate elements of both their Chinese and Australian cultures into their understanding of the ways people behave and use language. They explore the nature of their dual identities and bilingual capabilities. They look at identity as a concept and at the nature of diversity in the sense of what it means to be Chinese.

Chinese language learning and use

Students are immersed in Chinese language, exploring and discussing topics related to their developing identity as Chinese-speaking Australians. They access information relating to popular culture and topical issues, learning to recognise diverse representations and perspectives, and exploring context and the values and beliefs of authors.

Contexts of interaction

Contexts for interaction extend beyond the classroom to include students’ active engagement with the local community, exploring the use of Chinese in business, social and educational activities, and interacting with different generations of Chinese speakers. These contexts provide students with the opportunity to explore the modifications necessary to deepen their understanding of social distance.

Texts and resources

Students engage with a variety of text types and modes, including visual and digital media, music, TV series, classical Chinese stories, documentaries, and bilingual versions of classic and contemporary literature and their film adaptations.

Features of Chinese language use

Students elaborate their message, nominalise, and add complexity to the expression of their ideas. They apply their understanding of appropriate register in a widening range of interactions, and experiment with increasing sophistication in writing, through the use of idiom and references to classical literature. They learn to appreciate the forms and historical value of classical Chinese literature, and to appreciate how language changes over time.

Level of support

Correct Chinese language use continues to be modelled by the teacher to support students’ oracy and literacy development. Glossaries, vocabulary lists, dictionaries and digital translation tools are used to support comprehension of an increasingly diverse and complex range of texts and interactions.

The role of English

Classroom interaction occurs primarily in Chinese. English is used when required for comparison or to explore complex ideas related to language, culture and concepts from other learning areas.