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• VCZHU075

  Relate prior knowledge of character form and function to infer information about the sound and meaning of unfamiliar characters

  Elaborations

  • identifying familiar components and characters in different fonts and handwriting, including calligraphy and cursive forms of handwriting
  • describing orthographic features of new characters encountered, including the structure, sequence and relationship of components, and explaining connections evident between form, sound and meaning
  • recognising that characters may have multiple sounds (i.e. 多音字) and multiple meanings
  • identifying the meanings of abbreviations, and analysing examples of abbreviations alongside their original forms to identify the ways in which abbreviations are formed in Chinese
  • examining and explaining the relationships between characters and word meanings when encountering new vocabulary
  • recognising commonly seen prefixes and suffixes (including 老，子，儿) and identifying the functions of the words

  VCZHU075 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU013

  Engage with familiar text types to predict meaning

  Elaborations

  • viewing samples of children’s books, and identifying headings and images, appreciating their role in supporting understanding of texts
  • comparing similar texts in Chinese and English (for example, a poster for a movie, such as 《功夫熊猫》) and identifying major elements of the Chinese text

  VCZHU013 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Systems of language

• 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

• VCZHU160

  Explore particular cultural meanings conveyed in everyday interactions across languages

  Elaborations

  • exploring origins of 成语 and 歇后语 encountered in texts such as 朝三暮四，姜太公钓鱼, and using fixed phrases to share or convey a cultural idea in own writing, for example, 塞翁失马，笨鸟先飞
  • exploring how the languages that people know can impact on the way they communicate in other languages, for example, the use and frequency of ‘thank you’ and 谢谢 is a sign of westernisation, whereas in Chinese it is not used as often as overuse 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 language, for example, in the greeting 阿姨好！ (‘Hello, Aunty!’), where ‘aunty’ may be a colleague of their mother’s and a total stranger to the child

  VCZHU160 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCZHU254

  Compare features of prosody across languages and explore how they contribute to expression of meaning

  Elaborations

  • comparing how prosody is used to enhance the aesthetic features/uses of language in different texts such as poems and essays when read aloud
  • evaluating the effectiveness of prosody in diverse contexts, for example, analysing the relationship between use of voice and character types in movies and television dramas, such as how the matriarch or patriarch of the family in Chinese dramas often has a stern and intimidating voice
  • using prosody with effect when communicating with others, such as in formal presentations and debates, and in imaginative or dramatic performances, for example, 众所周知／显而易见／总而言之

  VCZHU254 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU237

  Apply understanding of word morphology and vocabulary choices to interpret and convey meaning

  Elaborations

  • examining the relationship between characters in a word, identifying subtle differences in meaning to enhance their own communication, and determining the appropriate context for related words such as 帮助 and 帮忙
  • differentiating 形近词 based on the meanings of each morpheme (for example, in 走进 and 走近) and applying in own writing
  • analysing how words containing a common morpheme are related, for example, how 乘 is used in 乘车 (‘take a ride’), 乘机 (‘take a chance’) and 乘法 (‘multiplication’)

  VCZHU237 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU144

  Explore how the Chinese language represents cultural meanings in specific ways

  Elaborations

  • identifying culturally specific terms and phrases, for example, ‘mate’ in Australian English and 吃了吗 in Chinese, and sharing insights into why particular cultures value certain colloquial language
  • associating the literal and cultural meanings of words and expressions such as 红红火火
  • discussing the contextual and cultural meanings of words that cannot be directly translated into another language, for example, translating 手足 as ‘brothers’
  • reading Chinese idioms (成语故事; for example, 《指鹿为马》、《狐假虎威》、《买椟还珠》、《拔苗助长》), and discussing their meanings; exploring the relevance and significance of these idioms to contemporary life and how these phrases are used in daily communication, such as 生日快乐 for birthdays, 大吉大利 for New Year and 团团圆圆 for Mid-Autumn Festival

  VCZHU144 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• 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

• VCZHU171

  Use character and component knowledge to infer sound and meaning of new characters encountered in texts, and examine component form and function to associate the correct sound and meaning with individual characters

  Elaborations

  • using knowledge of components to select a character from options when inputting Chinese in a digital text
  • categorising words containing a common morpheme to better understand the relationship between morphemes and specific word meanings, for example, using Chinese dictionaries to explore the range of words created from common character morphemes such as 情 (情感、情趣、情形) and 性（性能、性别、性格）
  • discriminating between the functions of morphemes with related meanings, for example, 餐，饭; 做，作
  • exploring influences on word formation, for example, the school subject ‘Language’ is called 语文 in China not 汉语 or 中文

  VCZHU171 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHC103

  Translate simple modified Chinese texts and familiar interactions in different contexts, identifying alternative ways to interpret meaning

  Elaborations

  • translating intended meaning of an interaction by avoiding literal (word-for-word) translations (for example, mediating a response to a compliment such as 你的衣服真漂亮。 ---- 哪里哪里！) and recognising that meaning may be implied rather than stated explicitly, for example, the use of 吧 to indirectly reject or refuse others in 我能来看看你吗？ --- 不太好吧？
  • comparing word choices for public signs across languages, and discussing ways language is used to convey rules, expectations and permission, for example, comparing 闲人免进 to ‘Staff Only’
  • considering the uses of different measure words in Chinese (for example, 小勺 and 茶匙；斤 and 克) when comparing several Chinese translations of the same recipe

  VCZHC103 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHC216

  Create texts in Chinese and English, explaining the linguistic and cultural challenges of achieving equivalence of meaning

  Elaborations

  • viewing documentaries on historical events and figures and determining appropriate English equivalents for key terms with multiple meanings, for example, translating 运动 as ‘(political) movement’ rather than its more familiar meaning, ‘sport’
  • reading bilingual signs from a range of places, such as restaurants, shops, pools, schools, hospitals and construction sites, and evaluating the effectiveness of the English translations, and possible reasons for such interpretations
  • comparing word choices for signs across languages and discussing ways language is used to convey rules, expectations and permission, for example, comparing 闲人免进 to ‘Staff Only’
  • observing others involved in interpreting meanings in bilingual contexts and identifying challenges and potential issues in mediation
  • expanding their own linguistic repertoire by exploring available choices to translate unfamiliar ideas when moving between languages, and reflecting on their own choices and preferences
  • experimenting with translations of extended texts, using a range of print and digital dictionaries and translation tools

  VCZHC216 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHC151

  Identify and account for the potential loss of subtle meanings from character components and individual characters in compounds when translating into English

  Elaborations

  • reading Chinese texts such as advertisements and signs that include the translation of some words or phrases, and engaging in class discussion about the merits of translations and alternative ways of representing the meanings expressed in the texts
  • reading children’s stories in bilingual form and reflecting on ideas expressed in Chinese and English which may not be readily translated and discussing possible reasons for this
  • observing interactions between speakers of Chinese and attempting to describe the interaction in English, discussing personal interpretations of the meanings conveyed and the cultural messages implicit in the interaction, for example, watching an interaction between a teacher and students in China and contrasting with their own experience in Australia
  • explaining culture-specific concepts such as humility (谦虚) to people from different cultural backgrounds, including examples of when and how 谦虚 should be shown and how it is understood by participants of the communication, for example, when accepting/rejecting appraisal

  VCZHC151 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHC116

  Convey simple information to peers using illustrations and gestures to support meaning, and respond to questions from others

  Elaborations

  • presenting their learning by creating pictures and labelling them to elaborate concepts, for example, 春天；中秋节
  • presenting and expanding on details of the topic, and answering peers’ questions, for example, 我的猫很小，有棕色和白色的毛
  • presenting their knowledge of places in China and Australia, such as places they have visited or where they have relatives, supported with photographs, for example, 我的奶奶住在北京
  • sharing their knowledge of the world through and responding to questions from others, for example, 中国有什么动物？ 澳大利亚呢？ / 中国大还是澳大利亚大？/ 你抱过考拉吗？
  • creating posters on a cultural topic such as ‘Chinese food’ and selecting images and texts from magazines, newspapers and brochures to illustrate key ideas with character words such as 好吃
  • identifying familiar words and concepts drawn from recent learning in other subject areas, for example, 数学（形状） and 科学（自然现象）
  • making connections between their knowledge of the world and their Chinese learning to infer meaning of words, for example, to guess the meaning of 尾巴 in 猫有长长的尾巴， 人没有尾巴

  VCZHC116 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Communicating | Informing

• VCZHC119

  Explain the English meanings of Chinese words and simple phrases heard or seen in everyday social contexts

  Elaborations

  • discussing Chinese words or expressions that appear to have no equivalent in English, for example, 不要客气，快吃吧
  • stating the English equivalent of common Chinese expressions, for example, 对不起, 没关系; 谢谢，不谢
  • discussing meanings of colloquial phrases used on specific occasions (for example, 恭喜发财 to give New Year wishes), and exploring how such sentiments are expressed in English

  VCZHC119 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHC227

  Interpret the stated and implied meanings in authentic informative texts, and use evidence to support or challenge different perspectives

  Elaborations

  • comparing a range of ideas on topics such as different generations’ perspectives on the importance of traditional festivals, the lifestyles of rural and urban communities, and the traditions and values of 少数民族
  • discussing and explaining own response to perspectives presented, for example, 有人说…还有人说…我认为他们站在不同的角度当然看问题不完全一样。我觉得… 因为…

  VCZHC227 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Informing

• 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

• VCZHU187

  Infer possible sounds and meanings of unfamiliar characters encountered in a range of contexts by identifying and explaining the role of semantic and phonetic sides

  Elaborations

  • inferring the meaning of unfamiliar words containing a familiar character morpheme
  • inferring the meaning of terminology in other subjects based on analysis of characters such as 螺旋桨
  • applying understanding of word formation to identify the word best suited to the required context and use by comparing translations for words in a bilingual dictionary
  • appreciating that the precise meanings of character morphemes are determined by context, for example, 一封信 and 相信；企图 and 地图

  VCZHU187 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU091

  Identify how character structure, position and component sequences relate the form of a character to its particular sound and meaning

  Elaborations

  • learning the number, nature and sequence of strokes; exploring the range of stroke types used in characters; learning to write with a focus on stroke direction and order, and on balance and proportion within the square
  • comparing writing across languages, recognising differences in stroke sequences and word formation (letter strings versus character squares), word spacing, punctuation and text direction
  • learning the origins and features of components encountered in characters, and analysing the formation of characters, including recognising the frequency and positioning of common components (for example, 人、女、日、月) and their function or relationship to a compound character, for example, 人 in 他、认、从
  • decoding characters by analysing their structure and the number of components, and recognising familiar components
  • applying their knowledge of characters to learn to read and write new characters, and developing strategies for learning, for example, making connections between characters with a common component (你、他、们)
  • identifying contextual meanings of key morphemes in diverse contexts, for example, 天，日，二/两，你好 versus 好玩
  • identifying the relationships between the meaning of individual morphemes in words and exploring how these morphemes apply in a wider range of word contexts
  • explaining the use of common suffixes (子、里、面) and key morphemes (电、家、物、机)
  • understanding how new concepts are interpreted in Chinese by analysing the nature of technology-related terms expressed in Chinese, for example, 电脑、短信、博客

  VCZHU091 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU236

  Identify and explain the differences between traditional and simplified characters, inferring meaning and sound of unfamiliar characters from knowledge of components and positions

  Elaborations

  • analysing relationships between characters and meanings in phrases representing auspicious meanings such as 年年有鱼－年年有余;年糕－年年高升; 枣栗子－早立子; 8－发.
  • applying understanding of orthographic principles to correct mistakes in own character writing

  VCZHU236 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU059

  Interpret texts by inferring meaning from common character components or position of components, and analyse how reliable this method is in translating

  Elaborations

  • estimating the probable sound and meaning of characters based on understanding of familiar radicals and phonetic sides when reading unfamiliar texts, for example, 鸡 鸭 鹅 莺； 但 担 旦 胆
  • analysing characters containing a common component or side, for example, explaining the features of position, phonetic function and range of sounds in the characters 请 清 情 晴 精 睛 猜
  • describing characters to classmates by naming their components or sides in sequence, for example, 亻 (‘standing man’) on the left, 言 (‘words’) on the right ＝ 信
  • exploring the use of diverse character-morphemes to express similar ideas (for example, identifying multiple characters for ‘food’ — 饭、菜、食、餐), and organising and classifying words containing these characters to understand their context of use, for example, 早饭、中国菜、食物、餐厅
  • recognising the two-syllable preference in Chinese nouns, and applying this understanding when reading for meaning in words with suffixes such as 学校、学生、学习
  • exploring the nature of common idioms (成语) and inferring their meanings based on the meanings of individual morphemes and contexts of use, for example, 年年有余、人山人海

  VCZHU059 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language