Albion Park High School has been developing a strong languages program across all stages of learning.
In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.
Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8.
Year 7 and 8:
Here is the syllabus for Japanese 7-10.
Students study the mandatory 100-hour course in Year 7. In 2018, students will study either Japanese or Italian depending on their classes. In Year 7, students explore the language through a range of topics. Some of the topics include introducing themselves, sports, hobbies, geography and culture. This year students will also complete a Project Based Learning task where they will produce a book in the target language based on what they have learnt this year. Students are assessed in the four macro skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to study an extension Japanese course in Year 8, which runs for one semester. Students will further develop their skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking. Students also complete a Project Based Learning task based on their chosen topic.
Years 9 and 10:
Students are offered the opportunity to study Japanese in more depth with this elective 200-hour course. Students studying Japanese at this level also have the opportunity of going to Japan (travel conditional).
Year 11 and 12:
Students can choose to begin their language study at this stage, studying the Beginners course in Japanese, which works as an accelerated course. This course is catered for those students who have no prior knowledge or experience of the Japanese language.
If students have studied Japanese in Stage 5, they have the option to study the Continuers course, which is designed to continue directly from the Stage 5 course.
Sister School relationship – Omiya Kita High School
Here at Albion Park High School, we enjoy a strong connection with our sister school in Japan, Omiya Kita High School. Students and our families host a student from OKHS every year for a week in Term 3. The aim of this program is for Japanese students to improve their English and to gain an insight into the Australian way of life. These visits are of great interest, enjoyment and benefit to our students and families. Our families also comment that they are surprised by how much their Australian family benefited from having Japanese students stay with them.
Inbound Visit
Albion Park High School recently hosted another successful visit from our sister school in Saitama, Japan. 10 students and 2 teachers from Omiya Kita High School spent 7 nights with host families and enjoyed a full program of activities.
The school program this year included Sports lessons, boomerang throwing and digeridoo playing, class integration, an art lesson, and a full day excursion to Shoalhaven Zoo where our Japanese guests were able to hold a wallaroo, snake and crocodile as well as touch a wombat and a koala. Whilst it was a cold and wet day, everyone had a lovely day. Japanese students also gave special culture presentations to a couple of Year 7 Japanese classes and participated in the Education Week festivities with Year 4 students from local primary schools. This involved Year 4 students experiencing the Japanese language and culture through calligraphy, origami, games and dressing up in traditional Japanese clothing, Kimono. On the middle weekend, the majority of the group spent the weekend with their host families visiting Sydney, going to the beach, shopping and many other local attractions.