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• VCZHC234

  Reflect on adjustments they and others make in their everyday language use, and connect these adjustments to aspects of experience, culture and roles in Australian society

  Elaborations

  • reflecting on how meanings of certain words are understood in different ways, for example, the different implications of using the term 他的店很肮脏
  • exploring multiple aspects of the concept of ‘identity’ by contrasting ‘individuality’ (个体) with ‘collective identity’ (集体)
  • identifying how their knowledge of Chinese and English opens up opportunities to expand their own world views
  • discussing experiences of ‘returning to home country’ (回国) and how they feel about the lifestyle and practices of their old home
  • reflecting on how their sense of being Chinese is influenced by their experience of living in Australia, for example, by maintaining a journal or blog
  • identifying features of communication in Chinese that are interpreted differently when applied in English communication, for example, examining how adjusting from a tonal language to English sometimes results in miscommunication of emotion or a perception of being abrupt
  • examining and reflecting on interactions that did not achieve their desired goal, and identifying strategies to enhance the effectiveness of their communication with others
  • reflecting on the challenges of addressing cultural assumptions and stereotyping when discussing aspects of life in Australia, for example, 有的澳大利亚人说到中国人就会说中国人怎么怎么样...，难道一个中国人做的事情就代表了所有的中国人么？

  VCZHC234 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Reflecting

• VCZHC167

  Translate short texts for different audiences, identifying what is lost in translation and considering alternative ways to explain key points

  Elaborations

  • identifying the challenges of translating some concepts (for example, 龙的传人: ‘descendant of dragon’), and developing strategies to overcome these; asking, for example: What is lost in translation? Why can’t we just translate word for word? Why does context matter?
  • translating short phrases or texts, noting culture-specific words and phrases, and discussing alternatives, equivalence or non-equivalence
  • discussing reasons for creating different translations for different audiences
  • comparing alternative ways of translating to identify ‘normality’ in one’s linguistic and cultural context, for example, using the term 软饮料 instead of 无酒精饮料 assumes the reader/audience has a degree of connection to English to understand meaning of 软
  • considering ways to convey culture-specific terms (for example, 中药和食疗, 上火，大补) in English

  VCZHC167 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHC252

  Create bilingual texts for a range of audiences, contexts and purposes

  Elaborations

  • acting as translator between Chinese and English speakers during school events, and reflecting on the linguistic and cultural issues encountered, for example, when sister-school teachers and students visit
  • translating texts for a range of audiences and contexts, identifying adjustments to language choices made according social position of audience and context
  • comparing bilingual editions of novels and discussing how authors and translators maintain the effect of stylistic devices across languages, for example, the use of metaphor

  VCZHC252 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHC200

  Create simple bilingual texts for different audiences, considering the influence of different roles, relationships, settings and situations

  Elaborations

  • acting as interpreter for visitors of diverse backgrounds and communicating their message to speakers of other languages, applying strategies such as clarifying, rephrasing and explaining when mediating cultural concepts
  • using a range of resources to assist in creating a Chinese translation of an English language text, exploring the functions of print and digital translation tools and discussing their strengths and weaknesses
  • appreciating the role of code-switching as a tool for mediating language and culture, and applying it in their own communication

  VCZHC200 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHU125

  Recognise features of various familiar text types in Chinese

  Elaborations

  • developing awareness of bilingual texts (for example, picture books, multimedia texts, song and dance DVDs) through immersion in text-rich environments, and noticing features of punctuation and text organisation across languages (for example, spacing between words)
  • comparing familiar texts in Chinese and English and discussing features in common, for example, storybook covers normally consist of book title, image, author’s name and illustrator’s name

  VCZHU125 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU235

  Discuss features of Chinese phonology and compare their own pronunciation with that of other speakers of Chinese

  Elaborations

  • comparing the features of spoken English and the features of Chinese phonology
  • identifying features of spoken Chinese by comparing their own speech to the pronunciation and speech patterns displayed in examples of Modern Standard Chinese, such as in news broadcasts
  • explaining the use of the neutral tone and non-tonal suffixes such as 儿
  • preparing a mock lesson for non-Chinese-speaking friends about Chinese phonology

  VCZHU235 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHC104

  Mediate descriptions of Chinese and Australian life, identifying what experiences and ideas are not readily translated between cultures

  Elaborations

  • analysing Chinese texts alongside their English translations to identify the challenges of translating culture, and developing strategies to overcome these challenges, by asking: What is lost in translation? Why can’t we just translate word for word? Why does context matter?
  • reading bilingual signs in places such as restaurants, shops, pools, schools, hospitals and construction sites, and determining the effectiveness of the English translations and possible reasons for such interpretations
  • exploring ways to interpret and explain key concepts and cultural practices identified in Chinese interactions, such as 面子, and experimenting with how to give 面子 in interactions with others
  • translating information about life in Australia to Chinese readers overseas, considering the audience’s cultural experiences in order to determine what concepts they would find difficult to understand, exploring ways to elaborate on ideas to ensure clarity of meaning, and focusing on nuances of word formation and context, for example, 澳洲肥牛 (‘bushwalking’)
  • preparing a voiceover text for a video presentation on the Chinese language program or the school environment, discussing possible interpretations of the text from the viewers’ perspective and adjusting anything that is unclear before voice recording
  • considering the different terms used in the Chinese-speaking world to represent ‘Chinese person’ (中国人，华人，华侨，华裔)

  VCZHC104 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHU259

  Explain how changes in context impact on how language is adapted to convey meaning within and across languages

  Elaborations

  • exploring how living in the Australian context impacts on how they present their ideas in Chinese, for example, considering how essays written in Chinese in Australia often follow the accepted organisation and formatting of essays in the Australian education system rather than the Chinese education system
  • analysing what is valued across cultures and discussing the impact of this on how meanings are conveyed in Chinese and English, for example, quoting 孔子 or using 成语 is evidence of a higher level of literacy in Chinese, but quoting modern-day experts or using technical vocabulary is considered to be reflective of a higher education level in many English-speaking communities
  • understanding the historical traditions behind the differences between oral and written language in Chinese ( 文言 and 白话)
  • reflecting on their own different ways of communicating and how they adjust language, gesture and content to suit different contexts, cultures and languages, for example, considering topics that are acceptable in one culture but taboo in another
  • identifying differences in pronunciation and/or tone across different Chinese-speaking environments, for example, 和 is pronounced ‘hé’ in mainland China but can be pronounced as ‘hàn’ in Taiwan

  VCZHU259 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU092

  Identify and use the characteristics of Chinese word order and explain the use of Chinese-specific grammatical features

  Elaborations

  • analysing the variety of verb types found in Chinese — for example, adjectival verbs (高、大) and modal verbs (会、可以) — and the placement and use of adverbs, for example, 都 to indicate inclusion; 就 to indicate sequence
  • identifying the placement of time and place phrases; the use of conjunctions (for example, 和 to add information; 还是/或者 to offer or indicate choices); and the role of measure words, for example, 个、只
  • exploring the clauses of a sentence in Chinese and noticing how they are linked coherently, for example, 他叫王晓明，(他) 是我的朋友 (zero subject/pronoun)
  • explaining the concept of ‘tense’ across languages, for example, asking: What tense is used in English to share ideas about a future activity? Can you exemplify how future tense is used in English? How is future tense expressed in Chinese? (我明天去北京，下个星期去上海)
  • applying processes of discourse development by joining, contrasting and sequencing using 也、和、但是、就, and exploring the use of cohesive devices and ways of extending, sequencing and elaborating ideas, for example, through the use of connectives, conjunctions and subject pronouns

  VCZHU092 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU224

  Explain how languages shape the communicative practices of individuals and groups and identify ways to enhance understanding across cultures

  Elaborations

  • considering ways in which being a bilingual speaker of Chinese and English could impact on and enhance their future life and career
  • examining how language is used to marginalise groups in society, such as how labels are used to simplify identification of groups and influence how such groups are perceived by others, for example, 蚁族、80后/90后
  • considering their own perceptions of the Chinese-speaking world and identifying the influences on their perceptions, for example, trips to China when younger; stories from grandparents
  • exploring how concepts such as modesty, individual responsibility and respect for authority influence communication styles, and how they may be interpreted by English speakers as lack of confidence, engagement or initiative
  • exploring what assumptions are inherent in one language and how the same cultural assumptions may not exist in another language, for example, analysing how the terms for ‘getting married’ differ for women (嫁出去) and men (娶妻) and the gender-neutral 结婚

  VCZHU224 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCZHU093

  Identify the characteristics of familiar text types, noting particular textual features distinctive to Chinese

  Elaborations

  • exploring features and conventions of Chinese texts, including lack of word spacing and punctuation, and variability in text direction, and comparing texts in traditional characters with texts in simplified characters
  • describing the major features of familiar text types in Chinese (for example, narratives), and experimenting with analysing Chinese texts, for example, recognising the ‘problem’ and the ‘resolution’ in a narrative
  • comparing textual features and language used in different types of written communication within and across languages, for example: How does the formatting of a letter and an email differ in English? Why are there such differences? How does the formatting of a letter in English compare to Chinese formatting?
  • discussing how the organisation of information reflects concepts of hierarchy and authority, for example, the placement of the date in personal correspondence; how the address is organised on a letter (小区名，楼号，楼, for example, 龙江小区蓝天园15栋2单元504室)
  • comparing textual and linguistic features in diverse forms of written Chinese texts, such as letters, emails and text messages, and exploring the use of visual symbols such as emoticons in digital correspondence
  • experimenting with features of text presentation in Chinese, for example, text direction, word spacing, punctuation, and overall paragraph format when using squared paper

  VCZHU093 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU044

  Form sentences to express details such as the time, place and manner of an action and to sequence ideas

  Elaborations

  • developing knowledge of metalinguistic terminology, discussing, for example: What is the plural form? How do we know it’s plural when reading in English? Can we tell when we read a Chinese word?
  • recognising that in Chinese, verbs convey tense without verb conjugation, for example, explaining why 有 can mean ‘have’, ‘had’ and ‘will have’
  • comparing the use of tenses in English and Chinese, for example, how future tense is often expressed through time phrases in Chinese (我明天去北京，下个星期去上海)
  • identifying the use of adverbial phrases, and extending understanding of sentence structure using subject–time–place–manner–verb–object, for example, 我星期一上学。我在墨尔本上学。我走路上学
  • examining the clauses of a sentence in Chinese and noticing how they are linked coherently, for example, 他叫王晓明，(他) 是我的朋友 (i.e. no subject/pronoun)
  • applying processes of discourse development, including joining (也、 和), contrasting (但是) and sequencing (就) information
  • using alternative language to clarify intended meaning, for example, saying 我不胖不瘦 when they don’t know the phrase 中等身材

  VCZHU044 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Systems of language

• 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

• VCZHC025

  Reflect on how aspects of personal identity are expressed in Australian and Chinese contexts

  Elaborations

  • preparing a self-introduction and discussing the concept of ‘self’/我, exploring questions such as ‘What makes me special in my family? In my class? In my school?’, for example, 我叫 Tina, 我是妹妹。我上三年级，我的老师是王老师
  • prioritising information when talking about self, for example, 我叫Kate before 我八岁
  • sharing information about one’s zodiac animal sign in Chinese and discussing in English the cultural significance of such information, for example, 我属龙

  VCZHC025 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Communicating | Reflecting

• VCZHC023

  Translate the meanings of important everyday words using contextual cues

  Elaborations

  • explaining words and phrases to peers or the teacher, using gestures and actions to help convey meaning, such as facial expressions to express dislike or disappointment, agreement or enthusiasm
  • explaining meanings of colloquial phrases used on specific occasions (for example, 恭喜发财 to give New Year wishes), and discussing how such wishes are expressed in English
  • choosing words to translate information into Chinese, recognising different meanings for the same word, for example 哥哥 can be used to refer to an older male friend as well as older brother

  VCZHC023 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHU260

  Research the phenomenon of language change in Chinese-speaking communities and monitor language use in a range of contemporary contexts

  Elaborations

  • comparing the language of previous generations to their own language use and discussing the nature of the differences between them
  • exploring how language change reflects the values of the time, or how language use can be seen as emblematic of an era, for example, the use of respectful terms such as 老革命 and 硬骨头 in China in the 1960s
  • examining new words added to Chinese dictionaries or introduced to social media and considering the reasons behind their development
  • considering the impact of digital communication on language use, for example, that LOL in English now means ‘laugh out loud’ not ‘lots of love’, and that weibo has a 140-character word limit

  VCZHU260 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU078

  Explain the dynamic nature of the Chinese language and how changes over time are influenced by local and global contexts and cultures

  Elaborations

  • recognising traditional characters encountered in the local Chinese community and making note of the simplified character version
  • exploring examples of types of simplifications and ways of associating traditional characters with known simplified forms, for example, whole simplifications (为-為), part substitutions (汉-漢) and half simplifications (说-說)
  • exploring the role of code-switching by Chinese speakers, including the use of acronyms and English words, and how Chinese authorities are trying to limit the use of these terms in the media

  VCZHU078 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU126

  Recognise diversity in expressions and gestures used in everyday social interaction across cultures

  Elaborations

  • observe and participate in interactions with a range of participants, and discuss how different people use language in different ways, for example, a range of ways of greeting and farewelling
  • understanding that gestures can enhance communication but might be interpreted differently by different people
  • learning about etiquette in everyday social contexts, such as how to address adults, for example, 王阿姨好
  • comparing language use among family members (for example, with parents and siblings), and recognising different languages(e.g. Putonghua, a dialect or English) used for different participants, for example, 我跟爸爸妈妈说中文，跟哥哥说英文

  VCZHU126 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU010

  Reproduce the four tones and recognise how they can change the meaning of words

  Elaborations

  • noticing the tonal nature of spoken Chinese and using gestures to enhance the differentiation of tones
  • applying tones to diverse sounds in Chinese to express different meanings, and recognising differences between words with different tones, for example, 妈mā and 马mǎ
  • practising the pronunciation of syllables that are unique to Chinese, such as 女nǚ, 下 xià
  • working with classmates and teachers to identify initials (, b, p, m, d, t, g, k etc.) that are similar to English consonants (f, l, n, v)

  VCZHU010 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHC089

  Reflect on personal experiences and observations of using and learning Chinese language in familiar contexts, and use these reflections to improve communication

  Elaborations

  • discussing appropriate language choices across cultures, for example, when meeting people for the first time or interacting with older people (such as a parent’s friend); how presentation of the residential address in Chinese and English reflects certain values in the different cultures
  • reflecting on their own English language use in response to their observations of Chinese speakers, for example, the words they use (slang, complex terminology), how they speak (tone, accent), and how they vary their language in different contexts and with different people
  • engaging with Chinese speakers through organised school activities (such as Skyping students at a Chinese school or welcoming visitors to own school), recording moments when difficulty is experienced in communication and reflecting on the cause of this difficulty
  • reflecting on aspects of their own identity, including what their membership of diverse groups says about who they are and what they consider important, for example, 我是澳大利亚人和日本人；我是老大；我参加学校的足球队
  • noticing how relationships with others — for example, friendship groups (我的朋友是 Lisa 和 George, 我们都很聪明), ethnic group (我是德裔澳大利亚人) — influence language choices and preferences for learning content
  • selecting information to share with a particular audience (for example, students from a sister school in China), asking: Why do I think this information is important to represent who I am? Why do I think my audience would find this information interesting and relevant?
  • comparing expressions of identity encountered in Chinese texts and interactions with their own sense of identity, for example, 他是美籍华人
  • observing interactions between Chinese speakers, and discussing the context and language use (for example, a family eating out in a restaurant, noticing seating arrangements, the background environment and how dishes are ordered and presented) and how this compares to their own experience
  • discussing how language and gesture are used to communicate in English and how these features would be understood when interacting with Chinese people; identifying how their communication styles may need to be altered when conveying ideas in Chinese

  VCZHC089 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Reflecting