Languages
The languages curriculum at Campbell High School provides students with the opportunity to develop language proficiency through a four-year sequential program. This continuity allows our students to pursue college language studies at intermediate or advanced levels. Our courses are therefore a part of a continuum of language studies that may start in primary school and go through to university. In Years 7 and 8 students must study either French or Japanese.
Benefits of learning a language
- allows us to communicate in the language learned
- gives us a better understanding of how languages work, including English
- helps us appreciate other cultures
- promotes cross-cultural tolerance
- broadens our career opportunities
- enhances our intellectual development
Japanese
The Japanese program at Campbell High School draws from the Obento textbooks, meticulously curated to resonate with Australian high school students. From day one, our students begin learning hiragana script, mastering its reading and writing in just a few months. Our curriculum is enriched with genuine materials, including digital resources, interactive games, and live online exchanges with Japanese schools, which not only bolster the educational journey but also provide lively avenues for students to apply their language skills and cultivate international friendships. Central to our pedagogy is the enhancement of intercultural competence; students immerse themselves in Japanese language and culture, fostering a reflective appreciation of their own linguistic and cultural identity. The courses ensure progressive development following a familiar pattern and provide a solid basis for higher studies.
As students advance to Years 9 and 10, the Japanese curriculum builds upon their foundational knowledge. The four semester units are sequential and students selecting Japanese are expected to study the language for a full year. Students in Year 9 and 10 have the invaluable opportunity to visit Japan, experiencing all of the major tourist destinations and engage with our affiliate school in Numazu. Each August, we are delighted to host a reciprocal visit from our partner school.
Further enriching our program, we collaborate with Kagoshima University, welcoming a teaching assistant to our school community. We invite Campbell High families to host our visiting assistant, fostering a vibrant, cross-cultural exchange.
French
With around 321 million native speakers worldwide, French, along with English, is the only language spoken on all 5 continents as an official language. Learning French not only broadens travel horizons, opens employment opportunities, and teaches language skills, but also allows learners to explore their own language and culture more deeply. Students can also enjoy excursions to venues related to France and French culture throughout the year to further deepen the students’ understanding. Each year, there Is the opportunity to attend the Alliance Française French Film Festival, indulge in restaurants, cooking schools and visits to the National Gallery of Australia to view its collection of French art.
In years 7 and 8, students learn vocabulary and grammatical constructions through practical topics appropriate to their level and interest. Students have the opportunity to actively participate in their learning by engaging with a variety of authentic resources and activities such as interactive IT, songs, poems, cultural research projects and demonstrations as well as using textbooks and Education Perfect to provide a sound structural basis for language acquisition. As an elective subject in years 9 and 10, French offers students the ability to develop more refined language skills and gain a deeper understanding of the language conventions using authentic materials.
There are many opportunities for excursions and in-school activities organised throughout the year to enhance understanding of French/Japanese language and culture. Some of these may include attending the French Film Festival, excursions to art galleries, visiting French restaurants or the Alliance Française for dining or cooking experiences as well as the possibility of overseas travel to fully immerse students in the language and culture.
We aim to provide opportunities to travel and learn in Japan, France and/or other French speaking destinations on a rotational basis. Participation in these trips is not essential to student success in language learning as they are in addition to our curriculum. These trips give students an incentive to study French or Japanese, where they can look forward to using the learnt language in context whilst studying at Campbell High School.
English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)
Students who come from non-English speaking backgrounds may be eligible for targeted English language lessons. Enrolment into an EAL/D class is dependent upon a series of individual tests in four key areas of language acquisition: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Each of these areas is aligned with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority documents related to language acquisition. Students are given extra support in the EAL/D class to develop their understanding and learning of Australian English. The students also receive extra time and assistance to complete assignments across the subjects.
The EAL/D classes are run during an elective line to support students’ learning in different curriculum areas. The classes are combined according to need of the students. At present, Campbell High School offers one Year 10 group and one Year 9 group.
The ACT Education Directorate prescribe formative assessment tasks and testing which provide an accurate indication of student learning progression. Students are able to graduate from EAL/D classes to choose electives after a parent/carer, teacher and student consultation process.
All students are encouraged and supported to participate in the numerous activities offered at Campbell High School. Opportunities, such as excursions, are offered to assist students to gain further understanding of Australian culture and society. Students are actively encouraged to maintain their mother language and culture, and broaden other students’ understanding of their culture during events throughout the year.