Scotch College

LOTE -

CHINESE, FRENCH, GERMAN AND INDONESIAN

Rationale

In Year 8, students continue the language they were studying in Year 7 (French or German) and begin a new language – Chinese or Indonesian. A knowledge of other languages facilitates intercultural understanding, communication, international trade, travel and electronic communication. Scotch College provides a balanced global response to this need, encouraging boys to study an Asian and a European language for as long as possible. Language study also helps develop metacognitive skills in problem-solving and logical thinking which are transferable to other learning areas. Details about the specific language courses follow:
Chinese (Beginner)*
This is a beginners course. Ni Hao Book 1 is completed by the end of the year. Students will learn to write about 70 Chinese characters and be able to recognise 100 more characters. The text is written in both Characters and Pinyin (Romanised script to help with pronunciation). Students are expected to practise writing characters as part of their homework (5 to 10 minutes each night). By mid-year students will be able to carry out a simple conversation, including greetings, describing themselves and members of their family. They will also learn how to write Chinese calligraphy with brush pens.
Apart from the course book, basic Chinese culture will be introduced such as how Chinese people celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. A visit to Chinatown may also be part of the course. Students also work on a variety of technology-based tasks using their Chinese.
Chinese (Advanced)*
This is a course for students with significant Chinese language background who have some skills in different areas from the beginner students. Ni Hao 1 and 2 course books will be used and students’ language skills are further expanded through the topics in the books. Boys in this class should write Chinese characters on a regular basis. They are also encouraged to actively participate in language activities. By the end of the year, they should be able to write about 150 characters properly and also phrases formed with these characters. They should also have the ability to conduct general conversations on different topics. Students can expect to significantly enlarge their vocabulary through wider reading.
The primary aim of this course is to enable boys to communicate with each other with effective language and pronunciation. Apart from the course books, basic Chinese culture will be introduced such as how Chinese people celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. A visit to Chinatown may also be part of the course. Students also work on a variety of technology-based tasks using their Chinese.
French
The emphasis in Year 8 continues to be on the development of the language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the use of the text books Touché 3 and Touché 4. These skills are developed through interesting topics appropriate for the age group, including clothing, describing a house, food and drink, and sport. Further grammar continues to be introduced within the thematic framework, equipping students with an integral tool for their development of the language. Students work with an interactive CDROM, audio CDs, DVDs and videos, all of which support the course and explore aspects of French life and language. Students also participate in a variety of creative technology-based activities using generic software and/or the Internet.
German
The course book, Genau!, is continued and completed. The emphasis continues to be on German for communication so that listening and speaking activities figure largely in the course. Reading and Writing skills are also gradually developed. Themes treated cover the kinds of situations likely to be faced in daily life and when visiting a German-speaking country. This also facilitates cultural comparison. Students work with a student CD, a teacher CD, DVDs and videos, all of which support the course and explore aspects of German life and language.

*  Note:  Admission to Chinese Beginner/Advanced is determined by performance in a diagnostic test.
The cultural component of the course includes some food tasting, participation in the German poetry competition and learning about daily life and customs. Students also participate in a number of creative technology-based activities over the year using generic software and/or the Internet.
Indonesian
Students are introduced to Indonesian in Year 8 using the course Bersama-sama Lagi. The development of the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills is a major focus and students are encouraged to develop an appreciation of the Indonesian culture. Grammar is introduced where appropriate to communicative situations and a conscious attempt is made to teach the language required to communicate in a range of everyday situations appropriate to the age group Students regularly use ICT-based activities as part of their learning. They are also invited to participate in the Sayembara Lisan State Speaking competition.
Homework and Assessment
Homework involves tasks, mainly from the course workbook, which consolidate work introduced  and practised orally in class. Rehearsal of oral presentations, learning and revision of vocabulary and grammatical concepts should also be a regular part of homework.
Assessment is based on class tasks, small tests, common unit tests, projects and the Semester Two examination.

Year 8 Curriculum 2011

Subject booklet
Subject Booklet
(pdf) 100k

Introduction
Generic skills
Outdoor Learning

Art
Christian Education
Design and Technology
Drama
English
Geography
History
ICT
Language Other Than English (LOTE)

Chinese
French
German
Indonesian

Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Science

ScotchNET

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Scotch College: ABN 86 852 826 445 ACN 005 650 395 CRICOS 00624A (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students)