LOTE - Curriculum Information

Year 7

Italian

In this nine week course, students are introduced to the systematic study of Italian language forms and experience the pleasures of language learning through the communicative approach. Students begin to develop the basic communication skills required for situations such as introductions, expressing likes and dislikes, and describing people in speech by taking part in dialogues and group role plays about school and friends. They also learn songs and poems, dates, and numbers to 100. Learning is reinforced by selected written exercises.

French

Students are introduced to the systematic study of language forms through the communicative approach. Students are encouraged to participate in dialogues which reinforce language structures, basic grammatical elements and communication skills required for situations such as introductions and descriptions of people. Listening skills are developed through exercises and group role play.

Japanese

As this course is an introduction to Japanese, it focuses on the basics of the Japanese language. Students will be exposed to the various Japanese writing systems with particular emphasis on the Hiragana script. Vocabulary learned includes greetings, numbers, animals, expressing likes and dislikes and body parts. Communication activities are developed through the production and presentation of introductions, songs, games and story telling. Students are also introduced to Japanese geography.

Year 8

Italian

Year 8 Italian students in this unit are introduced to a variety of topics which include shopping, festivals, leisure activities, pop music and sport. Through these topics students are introduced to specific vocabulary and sentence patterns. Grammatical concepts covered allow students to describe people, express likes and dislikes, express feelings, ask for and give directions, and make holiday plans. Communication skills are enhanced through role-play, oral presentations and dialogues. Cultural aspects covered are Italian regions and Italian traditions.

French

In year 8 students study French by learning to use it in familiar situations such as school, meeting people, talking about their families, professions, common buildings, rooms in a house, clothing, phone numbers, and food including meals, dining out and cooking. They learn to describe people including aspects such as age, personality and nationality. Grammar includes subject pronouns, basic verbs in the present tense, possessive and descriptive adjectives, regular verbs in the present tense, the partitive and prepositions of place. Oral work includes an emphasis on correct pronunciation and students use their personal CD to complete activities on their own and to help them develop their skills, especially in understanding spoken French.

Japanese

This course extends and builds on Year 7. It focuses on the basics of the Japanese language. Students will be exposed to the various Japanese writing systems with particular emphasis on the Hiragana Syllabary and Kanji is introduced. Communication activities are developed through the production and presentation of role plays and various scripts. Students cover topics such as school, food, transport, pastimes etc. Throughout the course, students will develop an understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture and tradition.

Middle School Elective

French

FRE01: On se détend

In the first semester of Year 9 French Students continue to use the text book Tapis Volant 1 and its accompanying workbook.
Topics studied include; family members, describing people’s appearances and personalities, expressing likes & dislikes of food & drink, school timetables, subjects, daily routines and leisure activities.
Various grammatical structures are introduced such as possessive adjectives, partitive articles, emphatic pronouns and imperatives. Students continue learning to conjugate regular & irregular verbs. Students also complete an end of semester exam.

FRE02: Les vacances, les amis et la santé

In the second semester of year 9 French students consolidate their learning from the previous semester and continue to use the text book Tapis Volant 1 & its accompanying workbook. Topics studied include; talking about the weather, exchanging money for goods and asking for directions. They also learn to talk about their hoes and desires for the future.
During this semester more complex grammatical structures are taught such as demonstrative adjectives, the future tense and the consolidation of the present tense. Students continue learning to conjugate regular & irregular verbs and they complete an end of semester exam.

All assessment tasks are assessed through various speaking, reading, writing and listening tasks conducted in class.

FRE03: Ma Vie

Students build on language introduced in Year 9. They consolidate control over the past, present and future tenses and are introduced to second and third conjugation verbs. They learn how to talk about hopes, desires and uncertainties, how things work, and how to make arrangements to meet people. Students begin to become familiar with France and its provinces.

FRE04: Mes Loisirs

Students 'accompany' the main characters in their textbook as they make preparations for a soirée and dinner party. They learn to express opinions, give instructions, make appointments, buy food in and prepare simple recipes. They learn about travelling by car and train, including timetables and tickets. They talk about holidays and part-time jobs. They are introduced to the imperfect tense so that they can recount past events. In addition to learning more about Paris , the city of lights, they also examine historical events, people and places.

Italian

ITA01: Viva l'Italia

This unit focuses on students' knowledge of the Italian language used in a variety of situations. Grammatical concepts are introduced through various topics which include: dates, describing people, going shopping and making arrangements. Cultural activities cover Carnevale and shopping in Italy .

ITA02: Forza Italia

The unit aims to consolidate and expand the students' previous study of Italian so that they are more confident in using the language orally and in writing. They develop their skills in interacting in familiar contexts such as giving directions, planning future events and giving orders. Through further exposure to the Italian lifestyle and culture they are encouraged to appreciate the traditions of Italian music, sport and Christmas.

ITA04: Vita all'Italiana

Through further exposure to the Italian lifestyle and culture they are encouraged to appreciate the traditions of Italian music, cuisine, festivals and history.
In this unit the year 10 students revise all the linguistic elements learnt in the previous years and are introduced to new elements such as the present perfect, imperfect and future tenses of regular and irregular verbs, comparatives and superlatives of adjectives, reflexive verbs, polite forms of address, the impersonal si construction, the imperative construction and the direct and indirect object pronouns.

Japanese

JAP01: Kaiwashimashou 1

This course begins with a review of Katakana, Kanji and previously learnt language structures. Students' language is extended during the semester to include more complex phrasing and verb tenses. Students are able to talk about leisure activities; giving and accepting compliments; the weather; making, accepting and declining invitations; ordering food; and the weather.

JAP02: Kakimashou

In this unit, students have the opportunity to refine their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students perform a range of tasks that involve using these skills in various combinations. Topics include recounting, transport, time, prepositions and making suggestions. Cultural aspects include travel, geography and Japanese daily life.

JAP03: Ganbatte

In this unit, students are introduced to plain speech, the language spoken in informal family and friendship situations. Focus remains on the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Areas covered include Japanese media, sport, exchange students and Japanese school life.

JAP04: Omedetou

Students are further exposed to the use of plain form speech and are introduced to the use of plain form in writing. New vocabulary and sentence patterns are introduced through topics such as part-time work, exchange students, travel and environmental issues. Students learn to express goals, give and receive directions, explain reasons, make comparisons and discuss consequences. The study of Kanji and of aspects of Japanese culture is extended.

VCE

French Units 1, 2, 3, 4

French at VCE level comprises a study of themes and topics, grammar, text types, vocabulary and kinds of writing, integrated in a way appropriate to the linguistic needs of the student, and the outcomes for the specific unit. The themes and topics are the vehicle through which the student will demonstrate achievement of the outcomes, in the sense that they form the subject of the activities and tasks the student undertakes. The grammar, vocabulary, text types and kinds of writing are linked to each other and to the themes and topics.

Areas of study:

There are three prescribed themes and within each there are a number of sub-topics:

The Individual	The French-speaking communities	The changing world
Personal world	Lifestyles	Social Issues
Education and aspirations	Historical perspectives	The world of work
Personal opinions and values	Arts and entertainment	Scientific and technological issues

In Unit 4 there is a detailed study related to one of the subtopics listed in the table above. This is the content basis for Outcome 2 in Unit 4 and the subject for the discussion section of the Oral Examination. The detailed study will be based on the study of language and culture through texts.

Outcomes and assessment tasks by Unit

Unit One Outcomes

Establish and maintain a spoken or written exchange related to personal areas of experience.
Listen to, read and obtain information from written and spoken texts.
Produce a personal response to a text focusing on real or imaginary experience.

Assessment tasks (School-assessed coursework)

Informal conversation or reply to personal letter/email/fax.
Listen to spoken texts to obtain information to complete notes, charts or tables in French or English and read written texts to obtain information to complete notes, charts or tables in French or English.
Oral presentation or review or article.

Unit Two Outcomes

Participate in a spoken or written exchange related to making arrangements and completing transactions
Listen to, read, and extract and use information and ideas from spoken and written texts.
Give expression to real or imaginary experience in written or spoken form.

Assessment (School-assessed coursework)

Formal letter, or fax, or email or role-play or interview
Listen to spoken texts and reorganise information and ideas in a different text type and read written texts and reorganise information and ideas in a different text type.
Journal entry or personal account or short story.

Unit Three Outcomes

Express ideas through the production of original texts
Analyse and use information from spoken texts
Exchange information, opinions and experiences.

Assessment tasks (School-assessed coursework)

A 250-word personal or imaginative written piece
A response to specific questions, messages or instructions, extracting and using information requested.
A three- to four-minute role-play, focusing on the resolution of an issue.

Unit Four Outcomes

Analyse and use information from written texts.
Respond critically to spoken and written texts which reflect aspects of the language and culture of communities which speak French.

Assessment (School-assessed coursework)

A response to specific questions, messages or instructions, extracting and using information requested.
A 250-300 word informative, persuasive or evaluative written response, for example, report, comparison or review.
A three- to four-minute interview on an issue related to texts studied.
End of year examination consisting of:
- Oral examination - Conversation (approximately 7 minutes) and Discussion (approximately 8 minutes)
- Written examination - (2 hours plus 15 minutes reading time). This includes: listening and responding, reading and responding and writing in French.

The Individual	French-speaking communities	The changing world
Personal world	Historical perspectives	The world of work
Education and aspirations	Lifestyles in France and abroad	Social issues
Personal opinions and values	Arts and entertainment	Technological and scientific issues

The grammar, vocabulary, text types and kinds of writing are linked, both to each other, and to the themes and topics. Together, as common areas of study, they add a further layer of definition to the knowledge and skills required for successful achievement of the outcomes.

The common areas of study have been selected to provide the opportunity for the student to build upon what is familiar, as well as develop knowledge and skills in new and more challenging areas.

Detailed Study

The student is required to undertake a detailed study during Units 3 and 4. The student will be expected to discuss their detailed study in Section 2, Discussion, of the Oral Examination. The detailed study will be based on Language and culture through texts.

Italian

Italian Units 1 - 4

Course Description

Italian at VCE level comprises a study of themes and topics, grammar, text types, vocabulary and kinds of writing, integrated in a way appropriate to the linguistic needs of the student, and the outcomes for the specific unit. The themes and topics are the vehicle through which the student will demonstrate achievement of the outcomes, in the sense that they form the subject of the activities and tasks the student undertakes. The grammar, vocabulary, text types and kinds of writing are linked to each other and to the themes and topics.

Areas of study

There are three prescribed themes and within each there are a number of sub-topics:

The Individual	The Italian-speaking communities	The changing world
Personal world	Lifestyles	Social Issues
Education and aspirations	Historical perspectives	The world of work
Personal opinions and values	Arts and entertainment	Scientific and technological issues

Outcomes and assessment tasks by Unit

Unit One Outcomes

Establish and maintain a spoken or written exchange related to personal areas of experience.
Listen to, read and obtain information from written and spoken texts.
Produce a personal response to a text focusing on real or imaginary experience.

Assessment tasks (School-assessed coursework)

Informal conversation or reply to personal letter/email/fax.
Listen to spoken texts to obtain information to complete notes, charts or tables in Italian or English and read written texts to obtain information to complete notes, charts or tables in Italian or English.

Oral presentation or review or article.

Unit Two Outcomes

Participate in a spoken or written exchange related to making arrangements and completing transactions
Listen to, read, and extract and use information and ideas from spoken and written texts.
Give expression to real or imaginary experience in written or spoken form.

Assessment (School-assessed coursework)

Formal letter, or fax, or email or role-play or interview
Listen to spoken texts and reorganise information and ideas in a different text type and read written texts and reorganise information and ideas in a different text type.
Journal entry or personal account or short story.

Unit Three Outcomes

Express ideas through the production of original texts
Analyse and use information from spoken texts
Exchange information, opinions and experiences.

Assessment tasks (School-assessed coursework)

A 250-word personal or imaginative written piece
A response to specific questions, messages or instructions, extracting and using information requested.
A three- to four-minute role-play, focusing on the resolution of an issue.

Unit Four Outcomes

Analyse and use information from written texts.
Respond critically to spoken and written texts which reflect aspects of the language and culture of communities which speak Italian.

Assessment (School-assessed coursework)

A response to specific questions, messages or instructions, extracting and using information requested.
A 250-300 word informative, persuasive or evaluative written response, for example, report, comparison or review.
A three- to four-minute interview on an issue related to texts studied.

End of year examination

Oral examination - Conversation (approximately 7 minutes)
Discussion (approximately 8 minutes)
Written examination - (2 hours plus 15 minutes reading time) Listening and responding
Reading and responding
Writing in Italian

Japanese

Japanese at VCE level comprises a study of themes and topics, grammar, text types, vocabulary and kinds of writing, integrated in a way appropriate to the linguistic needs of the student, and the outcomes for the specific unit. The themes and topics are the vehicle through which the student will demonstrate achievement of the outcomes, in the sense that they form the subject of the activities and tasks the student undertakes. The grammar, vocabulary, text types and kinds of writing are linked to each other and to the themes and topics.

There are three prescribed themes and within each there are a number of sub-topics:

The Individual	The LOTE-speaking communities	The changing world
Personal world	Visiting Japan	The world of work
Daily life	Life in Japan	Changes in daily life
Past and future	Getting to know people in Japan	Home and neighbourhood

Outcomes and assessment tasks by Unit

Unit One Outcomes

Establish and maintain a spoken or written exchange related to personal areas of experience.
Listen to, read and obtain information from written and spoken texts
Produce a personal response to a text focusing on real or imaginary experience.

Assessment tasks (School-assessed coursework)

Informal conversation or reply to personal letter/email/fax.
Listen to spoken texts to obtain information to complete notes, charts or tables in the Japanese or English and read written texts to obtain information to complete notes, charts or tables in the Japanese or English.
Oral presentation or review or article.

Unit Two Outcomes

Participate in a spoken or written exchange related to making arrangements and completing transactions
Listen to, read, and extract and use information and ideas from spoken and written texts.
Give expression to real or imaginary experience in written or spoken form.

Assessment (School-assessed coursework - all responses in Japanese)

Formal letter, or fax, or email or role-play or interview
Listen to spoken texts and reorganise information and ideas in a different text type and read written texts and reorganise information and ideas in a different text type.
Journal entry or personal account or short story.

Unit Three Outcomes

Express ideas through the production of original texts
Analyse and use information from spoken texts
Exchange information, opinions and experiences.

Assessment tasks (School-assessed coursework)

A 500 ji personal or imaginative written piece
A response to specific questions, messages or instructions, extracting and using information requested.
A three- to four-minute role-play, focusing on the resolution of an issue.

Unit Four Outcomes

Analyse and use information from written texts.
Respond critically to spoken and written texts which reflect aspects of the language and culture of communities which speak Japanese.

Assessment (School-assessed coursework)

A response to specific questions, messages or instructions, extracting and using information requested.
A 600 ji informative, persuasive or evaluative written response, for example, report, comparison or review.
A three- to four-minute interview on an issue related to texts studied.

End of year examination

Oral examination - Conversation (approximately 7 minutes)

Discussion (approximately 8 minutes)

Written examination - (2 hours plus 15 minutes reading time) Listening and responding
Reading and responding
Writing in Japanese

LOTE Enrichment Programs

LOTE students are encouraged to enjoy and extend their capabilities through the reading of magazines and extra texts; through songs, theatre and movies in the LOTE; through a variety of Internet and CD based learning activities and through participation in a number of LOTE competitions such as:

Alliance Francaise Poetry Competition
Swinburne Junior Italian Poetry Competition
Australian Language Certificates
Dante Aligieri Poetry Competition.

LOTE students are also provided with the opportunity to travel to countries where French, Italian and Japanese is spoken. Biennial trips are organized for students at years 10-12 to travel on organized school trips to New Caladonia, Italy and Japan.

The girls in Rome...

Girls in Italy