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• VCZHU094

  Recognise diversity in Chinese language use within different communities and regions, such as dialects, and local languages and character systems

  Elaborations

  • exploring ways Chinese language use is fostered among local communities and the use of Chinese in local media such as community radio, TV, newspapers and magazines
  • identifying examples of Chinese language used in commercial shop signs, advertisements, food and product packaging, and public notices in local areas, and exploring diversity in Chinese character texts by viewing texts containing diverse styles and fonts, including calligraphy scripts, handwriting and digital fonts
  • exploring the range and distinctiveness of different dialects in Chinese-speaking communities, including those dialects regularly used in the local community
  • knowing that China’s minority nationalities have their own languages and exploring the issues in language maintenance in such contexts

  VCZHU094 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU062

  Investigate the extent and dynamic nature of Chinese language use locally and globally

  Elaborations

  • exploring the ways in which Chinese language use is fostered among local communities and the use of Chinese in local media such as community radio, TV, newspapers and magazines
  • exploring the use of 普通话 as a lingua franca in Chinese-speaking communities, and identifying terms used in different regions to express a similar idea, for example, 普通话 versus 国语；达人 vs 高手
  • viewing words in 繁体字 in familiar contexts and applying their understanding of the simplification process to determine the possible meanings and the 简体字 equivalent, for example, 个-個;说-說; 边-邊
  • discussing the use of 繁体字 and 简体字 in Chinese-speaking communities today, including the revival of 繁体字 and the spread of 简体字 in diverse communities
  • examining how globalisation is impacting on Chinese values and language use, for example, how responses to praise are shifting to reflect a western concept of gratitude (谢谢) rather than the modesty of the past (哪里哪里)
  • reading texts consisting of 名人名言 (such as 孔子说：有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎), and discussing the cultural meaning of the quote and how it is relevant to contemporary language use

  VCZHU062 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU207

  Explore the role of language in passing on cultural values and beliefs to younger generations and identify changes in language use over time

  Elaborations

  • exploring the extensive and ongoing role of idiom (for example, 成语 and 谚语) in contemporary texts and everyday speech
  • recognising the influences of other languages and cultures on the Chinese language (for example, and the use of code-switching), and exploring how language choice (such as communicating in regional Chinese, English, standard Chinese or youth slang) indicates membership of a group and can exclude others from the interaction
  • identifying situations in language can be used to position themselves or others as an insider or outsider, for example, the use of 老外 in Australia to refer to non-Chinese; the choice between 咱们 and 我们 to include or exclude participants
  • experimenting with voice projection, pitch and rhythm when trying to assert own view or idea without disempowering or dismissing others, for example, to appear authoritative when speaking on an issue or topic, or to reprimand, advise or motivate others

  VCZHU207 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU206

  Differentiate features and apply rules for expressing meanings in spoken and written modes in different contexts

  Elaborations

  • exploring how the rules of word order can be altered in informal interactions, for example, noticing that the time can be placed at the end of sentences in speech but not in writing
  • matching the use of 成语 and 俗语 to appropriate contexts, for example, 夕阳西下 is normally used in written language while 猪八戒照镜子——里外不是人 tends to be used in spoken contexts
  • analysing how language is used differently in public texts across different Chinese-speaking regions, for example, the use of traditional versus simplified character forms in overseas Chinese newspapers; word choices and ways of reporting on controversial issues
  • identifying variability in language used in different contexts, for example, interacting in the supermarket, at the doctor’s surgery, or when visiting a friend or relative
  • recognising language choices that reflect varying levels of formality as appropriate to context, and applying this to their own interactions (for example, 爷爷 and 祖父, 累死了 and 非常疲惫)

  VCZHU206 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU208

  Discuss ways in which language choices indicate aspects of social position (such as class, gender and ethnicity) and inhibit or encourage others’ involvement or sense of belonging

  Elaborations

  • exploring how known languages influence their communicative preferences, such as how the values of one culture may be reflected when communicating in another, for example, differences in the use and frequency of ‘thank you’ and 谢谢 which is simply a sign of gratitude in English, whereas in Chinese overuse of this indicates distance between participants in interactions
  • exploring how cultural concepts of family and the importance of one’s sense of connection to others influence use of Chinese
  • exploring the origins of 成语 and 歇后语 encountered in texts such as 朝三暮四，姜太公钓鱼, and using set phrases to share or convey a cultural idea in own writing, for example, 塞翁失马，笨鸟先飞

  VCZHU208 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCZHU241

  Analyse features of classical literature in their original and contemporary forms, and apply features of 文言文 and 古文 in their own language use, identifying rules of intonation in classical poems and the impact of these rules on modern poetry

  Elaborations

  • exploring symbolism in classical literature and in modern pop culture, such as the connotations of key terms such as 凤凰
  • discussing the revival of the study of traditional texts (国学) and the reasons for such interest in the past
  • considering the role technology plays in their own lives and how it impacts on the ways they communicate with others and use language to convey ideas
  • identifying examples of internet language and discussing how these shape or impact their own language use, for example, 囧 、 槑 、 烎
  • comparing ‘internet novel’ (网络小说) with contemporary 小说 and identifying the impact of the internet in popularising and increasing access to Chinese literature

  VCZHU241 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU174

  Understand how language is used to reflect different roles, relationships, settings and values and modify language use in diverse contexts

  Elaborations

  • observing interactions and identifying examples of how language is adapted as the roles and positions of participants are established, for example, moving to more formal language once a participant is identified as a person of authority
  • reading texts such as 《人民日报》, and identifying words and phrases used to establish authority, objectivity and the purpose of interaction
  • noticing and describing differences in accent and dialect when listening to Chinese speakers from diverse regions
  • exploring the use of l as a lingua franca in Chinese-speaking communities, and identifying terms used in different regions to express a similar idea, for example, 普通话 versus l versus 高手
  • interpreting the relationships of participants in a spoken interaction by observing word choices and gestures, for example examining what titles are used for individuals in Chinese (for example, 老张 / 张校长/张小明)
  • comparing 褒义词，贬义词 and 中性词 and the contexts they are used in, for example, the differences between 聪明 and 滑头

  VCZHU174 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU243

  Analyse the use of language across genders and generations, within and across language communities

  Elaborations

  • collecting a range of famous colloquial sayings from many different cultures and comparing their use
  • explaining how culture impacts on their own communication, for example: Did they take offence that the host didn’t offer food at the party? Why might some Chinese find that offensive?
  • knowing that communicative practices might be perceived differently in different cultures, for example, in accepting a compliment in Chinese, saying 谢谢 might make one look 自大
  • considering the role of English in the world, for example, examining the popularity of Chinese and English in second language programs and why individuals and nations believe proficiency in these two languages is important

  VCZHU243 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | The role of language and culture

• VCZHU239

  Compare writing styles between Chinese authors to identify and explore the purposes and features of text structure and organisation of ideas

  Elaborations

  • exploring diverse examples of writing and identifying features of particular styles such as 辞藻华丽 , 平实质朴 , 口语化
  • discussing own preferences for writing styles of particular popular authors
  • experimenting with different ways of sequencing and organising ideas for different audiences and purposes
  • exploring text structure and format in classical literature, for example, 五言 and 七言 in poetry; the absence of a subject in 李白《静夜思》
  • comparing the organisation and substantiation of ideas in essays in classical and modern literature, for example, comparing 周敦颐《爱莲说》 and 余光中《莲恋莲》

  VCZHU239 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU173

  Identify structure and organisation of different texts, including expositions, procedural texts and recounts, and use these in their own speech and writing

  Elaborations

  • analysing and explaining the organisation and development of ideas or an argument in a range of genres, including textual features such as paragraphing
  • comparing the ways in which similar ideas and concepts are presented in different genres, discussing the impact of genre choice on text structure and language use (for example, in imaginative and evaluative texts), and determining how language choices achieve the desired effect
  • exploring the traditional structure of persuasive texts in Chinese, such as 总起-分述-总结, and discussing its effectiveness
  • reading samples of formal texts, such as news articles, official letters and informative reports, and identifying how the language use compares to their own everyday speech

  VCZHU173 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU240

  Explore assumptions and challenges for language use in new environments, identifying and comparing ways in which sensitive topics are introduced and discussed across languages, for example, comparing the Chinese custom of asking direct questions about age, income and other personal matters with...

  Elaborations

  • recognising clichés, examining cases of ‘breaking’ a cliché and the impact it might have, such as 脑筋建转弯 questions
  • identifying how language use can be varied for different participants in different contexts, for example, the use of slang and abbreviations between teenagers
  • using classical terms and expressions including 成语、歇后语、俗语 appropriate to context, such as using 亭亭玉立 to describe young girls
  • discussing ‘taboo’ terms across languages, and using terms suitable for the context, such as different words for 死 (‘to die’), for example, 驾崩 (皇帝)、 仙逝 （长辈 ) 、去世（一般人) 、香消玉殒 (女性)

  VCZHU240 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU095

  Identify traditional phrases and contemporary terms in everyday language use and the role of technology in changing the way people communicate

  Elaborations

  • discussing contexts where 繁体字 and 简体字 are used in Chinese-speaking communities today and exploring the use of these scripts as an expression of local identity, for example, in Hong Kong and Taiwan, or in local temples, signs and newspapers
  • understanding the nature of and reasons for the simplification process by analysing and comparing characters in both systems (简体字 and 繁体字), for example, 门-門;国-國;这-這
  • appreciating the role of myths, legends and 成语 in contemporary language use, for example, reading texts containing 成语, such as 井底之蛙，画龙点睛 within 成语故事, and discussing their intended meaning, and the cultural importance of classical language employed in contemporary contexts
  • discussing how languages influence each other, for example, how foreign concepts are represented in Chinese; interpreting the meanings of transliterations such as 可口可乐, translations such as 热狗, and hybrid forms such as 因特网
  • noticing the use of English phrases and sentences in Chinese interactions (for example, 拜拜, or a few lines of English in a Chinese pop song), and discussing the reason for the ‘code-switching’

  VCZHU095 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU058

  Examine differences in sounds and tones, and patterns of sound flow in speech

  Elaborations

  • discriminating between sounds heard in oral discourse, including the range of vowel and consonant combinations, for example, ‘qin’ versus ‘qing’ and ‘chi’ versus ‘ci’
  • examining the diverse meanings of words that share similar sounds (for example, the many meanings of the sound ‘shi’), and learning how to differentiate between 同音词 and 近音词 in different contexts, for example, 买东西/卖东西
  • comparing examples of regional variations in pronunciation, for example, the Beijing use of 儿 and the southern pronunciation of ‘shi’ and ‘si’
  • listening to interactions between unfamiliar voices at diverse speeds or levels of clarity to develop auditory and comprehension skills

  VCZHU058 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language