Year 9 Subject Guide 2020

LANGUAGE ACQUISITION - GERMAN Subject Summary: In Years 9 and 10, the study of a language is compulsory. All students will have five periods of instruction per fortnight. The course aims to develop intercultural awareness and enhance the capacity of students to communicate effectively. The language study will encourage positive attitudes towards, and involvement with, people in different communities and countries. Students will acquire language-learning strategies to help them to cope with unfamiliar language. Other objectives of the course are to develop in students a sense of their responsibility as global citizens and to foster a lifelong interest in language learning. Students will progress from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of Language Acquisition during Year 9, with the possibility of progressing to Phase 4 in Year 10. Students will be guided through the Katzensprung resources as they learn how to construct language so that they can effectively negotiate plans with friends, report about what they have done in the past and also discuss life’s problems. In Year 10 the course continues to cover topics of personal significance, such as identity and culture, as well as introducing topics of global significance, including sustainability. German students in Years 9 and 10 will be encouraged to participate in the Somerset College Exchange Programme with an academic high school in Germany. They will have the opportunity to visit Germany with a school group and to act as hosts to German students visiting Australia, which are invaluable experiences for all those keen to improve their linguistic proficiency.

Assessment Outline: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The four key objectives in Language Acquisition are assessed. Students will be expected to do homework regularly; however, no assignments will be used for assessment purposes. All speaking tests will be conducted in class during normal lessons.

• Criterion A – Comprehending spoken and visual text (maximum 8 marks) Comprehension and interpretation questions based on audio-visual material • Criterion B – Comprehending written and visual text (maximum 8 marks) Comprehension and interpretation of website, magazine articles, brochures

• Criterion C – Communicating in response to spoken, written and visual text (maximum 8 marks) Interactive orals in response to stimulus, written passages such as diary entries; informal and formal letters/emails; articles; brochures • Criterion D – Using language in spoken and written form (maximum 8 marks) Interactive orals in response to stimulus, written passages such as diary entries; informal and formal letters/emails; articles; brochures • Assessment

• Listening Test (Criterion A) • Reading Test (Criterion B) • Oral (Criteria C and D) • Writing Examination (Criteria C and D)

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