The language to be studied and assessed is the modern standard/official version of Chinese. For the purpose of this study, Modern Standard Chinese is taken to be Putonghua in the spoken form, and simplified character text in the written form. Throughout the Chinese-speaking communities, Modern Standard Chinese may also be known as Mandarin, Guoyu, Huayu, Hanyu, Zhongwen and Zhongguohua.
VCE Chinese Second Language focuses on student participation in interpersonal communication, interpreting the language of other speakers, and presenting information and ideas in Chinese on a range of themes and topics. Students develop and extend skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing in Chinese in a range of contexts and develop cultural understanding in interpreting and creating language. Students develop their understanding of the relationships between language and culture in new contexts and consider how these relationships shape communities. Throughout the study students are given opportunities to make connections and comparisons based on personal reflections about the role of language and culture in communication and in personal identity.
Note for those with some Chinese background
Native speakers are assessed separately at VCE level from non-native speakers, with native speakers being expected to produce work that is much longer and at a much more complex level. They are expected to do Chinese as First Language or Chinese as Second Language Advanced.
The areas of study for Chinese Second Language and Chinese Second Language Advanced comprise themes and topics, text types, kinds of writing, vocabulary and grammar. They are common to all four units of the study, and they are designed to be drawn upon in an integrated way, as appropriate to the linguistic needs of the students, and the outcomes for the unit.
The themes and topic are the vehicle through which the students will demonstrate achievement of the outcomes, in the sense that they from the subject of the activities and tasks the student undertakes.
Prescribed themes and topics:
personal identity
education and aspirations
recreation and leisure
travel experiences
history and culture
schooling
lifestyles
geography
youth issues
the world of work
tourism and hospitality
Unit 3 Outcomes:
For this unit students are required to demonstrate three outcomes:
to participate in a spoken exchange in Chinese to resolve an issue (Outcome 1- Interpersonal communication)
to interpret information form texts and write responses in Chinese (Outcome 2 - Interpretive communication)
to express ideas in a personal, informative or imaginative piece of writing in Chinese (Outcome 3 -Presentational communication)
Unit 4 Outcomes:
For this unit students are required to demonstrate three outcomes:
to share information, ideas and opinions in a spoken exchange in Chinese (Outcome 1 - Interpersonal Communication)
to analyse information from written, spoken and viewed texts for use in a written response in Chinese (Outcome 2 - Interpretive communication)
to present information, concepts and ideas in evaluative or persuasive writing on an issue in Chinese (Outcome 3- Presentational communication)
The award of satisfactory completion for both units is based on a decision that the student has demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit. This decision will be based on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s overall performance on assessment tasks designated for the unit.
There will be three SACs for Unit 3 and three SACs for Unit 4. These will be:
Unit 3
a 3 to 4 minute role-play focusing on negotiating a solution to a personal issue
a written response to specific questions or instructions using information extracted from written, spoken and viewed texts on the selected subtopic
an approximately 250-word personal, informative or imaginary piece of writing
Unit 4
a 3 to 4 minute interview providing information and responding to questions about a cultural product of practice
an approximately 250-word written response for a specific audience and purpose, incorporating information from three or more texts
an approximately 300-word persuasive or evaluative piece of writing
Please note that the number of characters required for the written responses and pieces of writing may vary according to SL, SLA or FL.
External assessment includes a 15 minute oral examination as well as a written examination.
For more detailed information, please click on the link/s below:
VCAA - VCE Study Design for Second Language students
VCAA - VCE Study Design for Second Language Advanced students