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RYDE SECONDARY COLLEGE
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Curriculum / Courses
Ryde Secondary
College
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LANGUAGES Stages 4 & 5 - Years 7-10 LEARNING TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, MODERN LANGUAGES FROM EUROPE AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA: FRENCH & INDONESIAN Both the N.S.W. Government and the N.S.W. Department of Education and Training have emphasised the importance of learning a foreign language for Australians. As a result of this, foreign languages became a core subject in schools in 1996 with a compulsory 100 hours of study in one language for all students. At Ryde Secondary College, Indonesian and French are the languages from which students may choose.
French and Indonesian are significant languages because of their importance to Australia. Both languages are spoken by large groups of people in countries close to Australia and both languages are important to the developing Australian trade, commerce and tourist initiatives that exist between Australia and Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Tahiti. Ability to communicate in French or Indonesian is also important for students interested in travel to Europe, Africa or South-East Asia. Similarly students interested in the tourist industry, including catering and hotel administration, public relations, banking, education and advertising, benefit from the study of a second language.
At Ryde Secondary College, languages are taught thematically using a wide variety of teaching methods, incorporating teaching materials that aim to interest and stimulate students. To assist students in developing listening and speaking skills the Language Department uses a range of different methodologies including role playing, games, interviews and more structured drills. Audio-visual materials are used to develop and enhance oral/aural skills.
Computer technology also plays a part in assisting foreign language learning. Quiz and game programs encourage students to practise and improve their foreign language skills, while advanced learners can gain access to the internet for research and independent extension work in the target language. Additionally CD Rom based programs are integrated into the curriculum for junior elective classes, and may also be used as a tool for independent learning. The use of e-mail to correspond with overseas students is encouraged.
Learning a foreign language opens up opportunities for the future. We live in a multi-cultural environment in which ability to communicate in other languages is valued. Ryde Secondary College students have participated in educational excursions to Indonesia where they have learnt the value of their ability to communicate in Bahasa Indonesia and senior French students have travelled to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Students value these contacts and report that their ability to communicate with students from other countries helps them to better appreciate Australia's cultural interchange in the Asia-Pacific region.
YEAR 9 & 10 ELECTIVE STUDENTS: "CAN I ELECT TO DO TWO LANGUAGES?" "YES, YOU CAN!" Many students have elected to study both Indonesian and French in the past and have found no difficulty with this. On the contrary, all have found learning two foreign languages to be an enjoyable and enriching experience.
Ms Wholohan Mr Cohen Languages Department
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