The nature of the learners

At this level, students bring to their learning existing knowledge of Vietnamese language and culture and a range of strategies. They are increasingly aware of the world beyond their own and are engaging with youth-related and social and environmental issues. They require continued guidance and mentoring but work increasingly independently to analyse, reflect on and monitor their language learning and intercultural experiences. They are considering future pathways and options, including the possible role of Vietnamese in these.

Vietnamese language learning and use

Learners are immersed in the Vietnamese language, initiating and engaging in discussions and debates on topics of interest, and responding to enquiries. They reflect on the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of their language use in interactions and make necessary adjustments. They learn to interpret information and evaluate values and practices from diverse perspectives and sources. They make connections with their own experiences to elaborate on and justify their point of view on topical issues or to explain how values and attitudes have remained the same or changed over time. Learners produce a range of texts, such as informative, narrative, descriptive, procedural or persuasive texts, for a variety of contexts, audiences and purposes. Through their engagement with diverse texts and resources, students explore how cultural practices, concepts, values and beliefs are embedded in texts and how language choices shape perspectives and meaning. They develop techniques and intercultural awareness in order to translate and mediate between languages and cultures.

Contexts of interaction

Learners interact with peers, the teacher and other Vietnamese speakers both locally and globally through a variety of modes of communication, including digital, online, collaborative performances and group discussions. The context of interaction extends beyond the classroom and involves investigating and reporting on issues in the local community and transacting with local Vietnamese speakers to negotiate services. These experiences provide learners with a sense of connectedness and purpose as Vietnamese and English speakers.

Texts and resources

Learners use diverse resources, such as Vietnamese newspapers, magazines, documentaries, films, stories, songs, television programs, entertainment performances, artworks and web pages, as references to assist them in discussing and researching Vietnamese language and culture. They explore a variety of text types, such as poems, articles, formal letters, interviews and speeches, and engage with a range of informative, historical or literary perspectives, views and debates.

Extracts from contemporary Vietnamese poems as well as short stories and diverse forms of Vietnamese artistic expression such as tranh dân gian Đông Hồ, tranh sơn dầu; dân ca, nhạc trẻ; cải lương, kịch, phim, are introduced to give learners an insight into Vietnamese folk, traditional and contemporary literature, arts and entertainment. Learners use a range of dictionaries and translation methods to support comprehension, build vocabulary and elaborate on ideas.

Features of Vietnamese language use

Learners explore Sino-Vietnamese words (phụ huynh, phi trường, hàng hải, giang sơn) and stylistic devices, such as repetition (đi nhanh, nói nhanh, ăn nhanh), similes (hiền như Bụt), personification (mưa nhớ thương ai) and rhetorical questions (Ba đồng một mớ trầu cay, Sao anh chẳng hỏi những ngày còn không?), to identify and convey enhanced meaning in communication. They use compound sentence structures, for example, Nếu trời mưa (thì) chúng tôi sẽ không đi chơi. Trời mưa khi chúng tôi đang đi chơi and conjunctions (càng … càng, vừa … vừa, chẳng những … mà còn), for a variety of communicative purposes in spoken and written texts. They examine the impact of generation, gender, media, technology and globalisation on Vietnamese language and culture to develop their awareness of language variation and evolution. They analyse and explain how and why language use varies according to cultural contexts, relationships and purposes, and develop the language of reflection in Vietnamese.

Level of support

Support at this level of learning includes rich and varied stimulus materials, continued scaffolding and modelling of language functions and communicative tasks, and explicit instruction and explanation of the grammatical system, with opportunities for learners to discuss, clarify, practise and apply their knowledge. Critical and constructive teacher feedback combines with peer support and self-review to monitor and evaluate learning outcomes, for example, through portfolios, peer review and e-journalling.

The role of English

Vietnamese is predominantly used as the main medium for classroom interaction and content delivery. English is used only when necessary to allow for further explanation and discussion of more demanding concepts, particularly when making connections with other languages and cultures. Learners explore cultural diversity and gain a greater appreciation of their Vietnamese cultural heritage. They view their bilingualism and biculturalism as an asset for themselves and for Australia.