Chinese: Second Language Learner F–10 Sequence / Levels 5 and 6 / Understanding / Language variation and change
Content description
Understand that Chinese is characterised by diversity in spoken and written forms
Elaborations
knowing that Putonghua is the standard spoken language used in China and the main Chinese language taught in other areas of the world
understanding that there are simplified and traditional Chinese characters, and exploring examples of both forms to identify differences, for example, 门 and 門
exploring how the Chinese language has changed in response to modern life, such as the inclusion of English terms in everyday language; recognising ‘borrowed words’/借词 in Chinese from English (for example, 咖啡、 澳大利亚), and in English from Chinese (for example, tofu), and discussing how and why these types of words are introduced
noticing the use of English words or phrases in Chinese interactions (for example, 拜拜, or a few words of English in a Chinese pop song), and discussing the reason for the ‘code-switching’
examining 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 employing classical language in contemporary contexts
