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.
In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.
Vision statement
The study of languages provides opportunities for students to become more accepting of diversity, more respectful of others and more aware of their place in the international community. At James Busby High School, we aim to provide high quality education in languages that enable students to respond positively to the opportunities and challenges of their rapidly changing world.
About the faculty
At James Busby High School, we strive to teach language beyond the classroom as part of our everyday world. We aim to immerse and expose our students to the different cultures by organising various cultural opportunities to allow students to immerse themselves in the language and culture.
In 2018, we welcomed a group of students from Toda city in Japan, Liverpool's sister city. Our students will have the opportunity to visit Japan in 2019 and continue to strengthen the connections that have been created. Our Japanese garden, tended to by the current year 10 Japanese class reflects the growth of our students in knowledge, language and culture.
In class, we adopt teaching methods that reflect 21st century learning, incorporating practical methods to better engage and motivate our students.
Staff
- Ms A Cau – L.O.T.E Coordinator, Italian, French and English
- Ms N Amenta – Italian, French and English
- Ms M Welfare – Japanese, German and English
- Ms L Tran - French, Italian and English.
Associations
Though we are a small faculty, frequent liaising with teachers from within the Sydney metropolitan and regional areas of NSW allow for enhanced professional learning and shared ideas, principles and strategies affiliated with language learning building on our repertoire and skills within LOTE.
Our staff are members of the following institutions through membership and/or professional development:
- Alliance Francaise (French)
- M.L.T.A (Modern languages)
- JTEN (Japanese)
- Goethe Institut (German).
Activities
- Languages Online: an educational tool providing computing strategies that consolidating learning in languages
- Alliance Française: various competitions and unique opportunities provided to students throughout the year
- JTAN: various competitions and unique opportunities provided to students throughout the year
- Google Classroom: an educational platform for stage 4 and beyond, that provides computing strategies to consolidating learning in languages
- Edmodo: a platform that facilitates the use of resources, discussions, homework and assignments enabling students to consolidate learning outside the classroom.
Assessment
Over the year, various forms of assessment tasks are used in Languages to evaluate student learning and understanding in each year group, and for all subjects offered.
All students are provided with an assessment notification at least 2 weeks prior to each scheduled task being held. It is important that students read and understanding this information and seek clarification, where necessary, well in advance of that task occurring.
Information about assessment tasks in Languages are communicated to students and parents through the SkoolBag App, and also located on the assessment and reporting section of this site.