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Levels 7 and 8

Levels 7 and 8 Description

Students use Chinese to write and speak with imagination to engage or persuade peers, justifying their perspectives by drawing on the ideas or experiences of others. They apply linguistic expressions encountered in contemporary and traditional literature to develop their own ability to write in more expressive and creative ways, while increasing accuracy in their use of written Chinese.

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Levels 7 and 8 Content Descriptions

Communicating

Socialising Elaborations
  1. Interact with peers and exchange opinions and preferences about new social and cultural experiences, adjusting tone, vocabulary and phrasing to influence others (VCZHC225)
    1. sharing experiences and discussing how their own cultural practices are maintained or adapted in their new environment, for example, 来到澳洲以后, 我开始对土著人的艺术感兴趣了
    2. identifying and challenging stereotypes about Chinese and Australian cultures
    3. discussing the concept of friendship across cultures, and describing own sources of social support within the local community, for example, 我现在在一个羽毛球俱乐部打球, 认识了不少朋友, 挺开心的
    4. using appropriate strategies to maintain communication, such as explaining concepts and ideas when other participants are not familiar with the topic of conversation, for example, 我很喜欢吃榴莲, 榴莲就是那种有点臭,身上长很多刺的水果
    5. listening to a conversation about a new song, dance style or pop-culture phenomenon, and identifying the points being made, explaining the tone and manner of communication
  2. Collaborate with peers to plan and organise multicultural projects and events that would benefit their school and local community (VCZHC226)
    1. investigating Chinese cultural activities available for young people (for example, lion dance troupe, folk dance troupe), and discussing with peers details of the nature of the activity and the level of commitment involved
    2. indicating agreement and disagreement in polite ways and expressing gratitude for time and services provided, for example, 太麻烦你了;这次多亏了你的帮助;这个不是太合适 吧, 我还想再看看,谢谢!
    3. planning or participating in events which share popular aspects of Australian ways of life related to music, popular culture, climate, landscape and recreational activities, to members of their local Chinese-speaking community
    4. introducing others to diversity within Chinese language and culture (such as diversity in language use and cultural practices across greater China, differences between urban and rural life, and regional cuisines) by participating in school cultural events or creating texts to inform others, for example, creating a poster for second language learners of Chinese
    5. collaborating with others to organise a cultural day to support appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity within the school community, using social media to plan the event and to encourage others to participate
Informing Elaborations
  1. Interpret the stated and implied meanings in authentic informative texts, and use evidence to support or challenge different perspectives (VCZHC227)
    1. 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
    2. 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…
  2. Use and analyse a range of sources written in simplified and traditional script to identify relevant information, and use this information to create purposeful public information texts (VCZHC228)
    1. accessing diverse sources such as blogs and social media, newspaper articles and educational texts, and discussing the relevance and credibility of information conveyed, for example, comparing information presented in blogs with newspaper articles
    2. recognising multiple perspectives on an issue and identifying the factors that may influence a particular perspective (for example, nationality, religion, gender, ethnicity) to determine the perspective or credibility of sources
    3. evaluating how different authors use language to achieve a particular effect, considering how values and personal views are implied in word choices, for example, 屡败屡战 (emphasis on the determination to overcome a failure) versus 屡战屡败 (emphasis on the fact of many instances of failure)
    4. accessing information related to understanding their own experiences as Chinese students in Australia by searching both Australian and overseas digital media, such as 百度百科,雅虎等网站 to develop advice and supports for new students arriving at their school
    5. accessing and organising information on educational and social topics, using techniques such as paraphrasing, summarising and quoting, and expressing own perspective on the information obtained, for example, 有些人认为…, 另一些人则认为…, 综上所述…
Creating Elaborations
  1. Compare how contemporary Chinese media and literature represent the notion of ‘being Chinese’ or ‘being other’, and use this knowledge to present a point of view for an identified audience (VCZHC229)
    1. comparing ‘being foreign’ in China and ‘being Chinese’ in Australia, for example, viewing or reading 汉语桥 performances, songs, films and fiction and discussing how Chinese-speaking foreigners are ‘celebrated’ in Chinese media
    2. exploring representations of the overseas Chinese experience, both locally and globally, and the development of local Chinese identity in Australia through reading texts such as The Sojourners in Chinese translation (Zhang Wei, 2009)
    3. investigating contributions made by Chinese individuals and groups in contemporary Australian culture and discussing the cultural values that are conveyed through these contributions, for example, the work of artists Ah Xian and Guan Wei, and author Sang Ye
    4. exploring their own connections and responses to overseas Chinese literature, for example, the ideas and values reflected in 海外华人的文学作品 such as the song 《故乡的云》
  2. Plan, rehearse and deliver presentations of classical Chinese literature and famous speeches and discuss how cultural values can be transferred (VCZHC230)
    1. discussing the impact of Chinese traditional entertainment on contemporary Chinese culture, for example, 相声
    2. analysing classical poems and the values they convey, and relating them to culturally significant events, for example, Chinese New Year in 宋代诗人王安石《元日》
    3. comparing the Gettysburg Address with a speech of equal significance in Chinese and discussing why these speeches are important and what language features are used to convey messages
  3. Use particular language features such as dialogue and imagery in short stories, literary essays and plays to create own imaginative representations of experience (VCZHC231)
    1. creating texts depicting the experiences of Chinese people in Australia, for example, writing a narrative reflecting a Chinese person’s adjustment to a new life in Australia based on an interview conducted with an older member of the local Chinese community
    2. using examples or quotations from traditional literature in their own writing, such as 三人行,必有我师焉 from 《论语·述而》。
    3. presenting the experiences of people in different eras, such as women in ancient China, through drama, poetry and literature
    4. writing a story of an imagined scenario or an exciting adventure to entertain younger students at school
Translating Elaborations
  1. Identify challenges in and techniques for mediating between Chinese and English (VCZHC232)
    1. discussing cultural connotations of words that express emotions, such as 幸福 versus ‘happy’; 怎么回事? versus ‘What’s wrong?’
    2. defining equivalence and finding examples of concepts in Chinese and English which are unable to retain the original meaning when translated into the other language
    3. translating terminology from other learning areas from English into Chinese and vice versa, for example, science, mathematics and social science concepts and terms
    4. viewing extracts of Chinese films with their English subtitles, identifying alternative English translations and hypothesising reasons for choices made by professional translators
    5. exploring English translations of Chinese colloquial language and vice versa, and discussing the complexities of capturing the meaning and sentiment conveyed by the original
  2. Create bilingual information texts for speakers of Chinese and English in Australia, recognising ‘code-switching’ and how specific vocabulary and terminology from other learning areas can be translated in different settings, such as for an expert or beginner audience (VCZHC233)
    1. comparing multiple ways of translating English terms and phrases into Chinese, and discussing the effectiveness and focus of these translations, for example, 苹果手机 or 爱疯
    2. considering others’ responses in interactions and clarifying whether their own message has been understood as they intended, for example, 大家对这个问题还有什么疑议吗? 不知大家还有没有什么意见和建议?
    3. producing own bilingual texts, for example, explaining aspects of Chinese culture to English-speaking audiences or interpreting concepts learnt in other learning areas to help Chinese-speaking peers understand course content
    4. providing further explanation of concepts that are not immediately clear to second language learners of Chinese, for example, contrasting the concept of ‘culture’ in English with Chinese 文化 (which also includes the meaning of ‘literacy’) and starting to understand other 文化 in comparative terms
Reflecting Elaborations
  1. 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 (VCZHC234)
    1. 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
    2. exploring multiple aspects of the concept of ‘identity’ by contrasting ‘individuality’ (个体) with ‘collective identity’ (集体)
    3. identifying how their knowledge of Chinese and English opens up opportunities to expand their own world views
    4. discussing experiences of ‘returning to home country’ (回国) and how they feel about the lifestyle and practices of their old home
    5. 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
    6. 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
    7. examining and reflecting on interactions that did not achieve their desired goal, and identifying strategies to enhance the effectiveness of their communication with others
    8. 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?

Understanding

Systems of language Elaborations
  1. Discuss features of Chinese phonology and compare their own pronunciation with that of other speakers of Chinese (VCZHU235)
    1. comparing the features of spoken English and the features of Chinese phonology
    2. 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
    3. explaining the use of the neutral tone and non-tonal suffixes such as
    4. preparing a mock lesson for non-Chinese-speaking friends about Chinese phonology
  2. Identify and explain the differences between traditional and simplified characters, inferring meaning and sound of unfamiliar characters from knowledge of components and positions (VCZHU236)
    1. 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.
    2. applying understanding of orthographic principles to correct mistakes in own character writing
  3. Apply understanding of word morphology and vocabulary choices to interpret and convey meaning (VCZHU237)
    1. 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
    2. differentiating 形近词 based on the meanings of each morpheme (for example, in 走进 and 走近) and applying in own writing
    3. analysing how words containing a common morpheme are related, for example, how is used in 乘车 (‘take a ride’), 乘机 (‘take a chance’) and 乘法 (‘multiplication’)
  4. Compare how grammatical features such as tense and passive voice are constructed in English and Chinese, and identify distinctive features of Chinese grammar, for example, in tense marking (了、过), possession, plurality (VCZHU238)
    1. enhancing their understanding of how information is organised to achieve particular communicative purposes, for example, 是…的 and structure
    2. experimenting with the use of different sentence patterns when composing own messages, for example, 让步句 and 转折句
  5. Compare writing styles between Chinese authors to identify and explore the purposes and features of text structure and organisation of ideas (VCZHU239)
    1. exploring diverse examples of writing and identifying features of particular styles such as 辞藻华丽 , 平实质朴 , 口语化
    2. discussing own preferences for writing styles of particular popular authors
    3. experimenting with different ways of sequencing and organising ideas for different audiences and purposes
    4. 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》
    5. 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》
Language variation and change Elaborations
  1. 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 the contexts in which these questions are asked in English (VCZHU240)
    1. recognising clichés, examining cases of ‘breaking’ a cliché and the impact it might have, such as 脑筋建转弯 questions
    2. identifying how language use can be varied for different participants in different contexts, for example, the use of slang and abbreviations between teenagers
    3. 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
    4. discussing ‘taboo’ terms across languages, and using terms suitable for the context, such as different words for (‘to die’), for example, 驾崩 (皇帝)、 仙逝 (长辈 ) 、去世(一般人) 、香消玉殒 (女性)
  2. 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 (VCZHU241)
    1. exploring symbolism in classical literature and in modern pop culture, such as the connotations of key terms such as 凤凰
    2. discussing the revival of the study of traditional texts (国学) and the reasons for such interest in the past
    3. 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
    4. identifying examples of internet language and discussing how these shape or impact their own language use, for example, 囧 、 槑 、 烎
    5. 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
  3. Identify the features of persuasive language and analyse its use in advertising (VCZHU242)
    1. discussing the impact of word choices, including 连接词, and stylistic devices (for example 排比,拟人,比喻) on the effectiveness of television and print advertising campaigns
    2. considering the role of English in the world of Chinese advertising and how English words and expressions are embedded into Chinese speech to market products to Chinese speakers, within China and globally.
The role of language and culture Elaborations
  1. Analyse the use of language across genders and generations, within and across language communities (VCZHU243)
    1. collecting a range of famous colloquial sayings from many different cultures and comparing their use
    2. 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?
    3. 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
    4. 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

Levels 7 and 8 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 8, students sustain oral and written interactions with known audiences, making appropriate adjustments to language use for different audiences, contexts and purposes. They access and analyse a range of authentic spoken, written and multimodal sources to support and present ideas and opinions. Students respond to and create spoken, written and multimodal imaginative texts in a range of genres. They translate informative texts from Chinese into English and vice versa for particular audiences. Students reflect on adjustments they make to language use for different audiences.

Students apply knowledge of grammatical and text structures and vocabulary choices to achieve effective communication. They identify the main ideas conveyed in texts related to other learning areas or presented in age-appropriate imaginative texts or media. They begin to see texts as existing within a cultural context, and begin to make comparisons between the values and practices encountered in classical Chinese texts and those encountered in their local communities. They demonstrate awareness that texts reflect the cultural background and values of the author and are open to diverse interpretations.

Levels 9 and 10

Levels 9 and 10 Description

Students learn how to write objectively in simplified and traditional characters and substantiate their ideas and perspectives in appropriate ways. They learn to transcribe complex spoken texts and develop skills in listening to diverse speakers of Chinese who vary in rhythm and pitch. Students experiment with western genre conventions in their Chinese speech and writing and with ways of expressing...

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Levels 9 and 10 Content Descriptions

Communicating

Socialising Elaborations
  1. Influence and engage others, debating ideas and opinions, selecting language, tone, culturally expected stylised gestures, pitch and pace for different audiences (VCZHC244)
    1. applying strategies to engage in conversations with people of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, for example, using alternative terms to 吹牛、聊天 and initiating topics of mutual interest
    2. monitoring the effectiveness of own communication skills when sharing ideas and interests with others, for example, when changing topics and taking turns in a conversation (听说…,刚才我们说什么来着?)
    3. using emphatic and assertive language to defend a position, point out errors in others’ assumptions or strengthen own argument when negotiating with others, for example, 我想这种观点是站不住脚的/这种说法是没有根据的,是无稽之谈
  2. Plan and negotiate actions to contribute to their local and global community, and suggest alternatives when planning and negotiating (VCZHC245)
    1. displaying respect for others’ ideas in interactions, agreeing to disagree, or negotiating to achieve agreement, for example, 要么这样吧…; 你看怎么样…; 你说的很有道理,但是…
    2. discussing multiple perspectives on topics such as 独生子女政策,言论自由,贫富差距,经济发展与环境保护, and raising awareness among peers and members of school community to enhance mutual understanding of others’ perspectives
    3. comparing different learning environments and approaches to learning, for example, reflecting on prior learning experiences and suggesting the advantages and disadvantages of different educational systems (中国的教育是应试教育,注重死记硬背,澳洲的教育是启发式教育,培养的是学生的独立思考能力)
    4. discussing issues encountered in their daily life when communicating across cultures, such as specific ‘cultural barriers’ and misunderstandings in communication, for example, 家长应不应该尊重孩子的个人隐私?
    5. understanding the history of their local Chinese community and the multicultural nature of Australian society, for example, interviewing older migrants about their experiences as Chinese Australians (老一代的华人在餐饮、 木工、 香蕉种植等方面为澳洲做出了贡献,新一代的华人更多的是在金融、法律、医生等行业发展)
    6. identifying areas of need within the local community and collaborating with others to provide support, for example, visiting aged-care facilities or helping to organise a cultural event to enhance understanding of Chinese culture within their own school and local communities (我们上个周末去华人养老院做义工,接触了很多很有意思的老人)
Informing Elaborations
  1. Identify and analyse the effects of how information is organised in authentic texts, and apply this knowledge to create purposeful texts that persuade and inform (VCZHC246)
    1. examining the ways in which information is presented across diverse Chinese-speaking communities, for example, viewing news reports of world events from Beijing, Taiwan and Singapore
    2. evaluating how information is presented in diverse forms of media across cultures, for example, comparing the impact of live news reports involving interviews with witnesses, and newspaper articles on the same event
    3. applying understanding of news articles and other formal text types to create own response to contemporary issues in Chinese-speaking communities
  2. Evaluate the utility and reliability of sources when accessing information, and use this knowledge to present a point of view for different audiences (VCZHC247)
    1. identifying bias in texts, examining the values that influence bias, and discussing how bias differs from opinion and perspective, for example, 什么是偏见? 偏见有哪些表现? 应该怎样纠正偏见?
    2. reading news articles and historical accounts of world events such as natural disasters, Olympic games, celebrations or commemorations of historical significance (such as Anzac Day), and exploring how the author’s personal values and experiences influence their reporting on such events
    3. recognising key ideas and reading between the lines, for example, identifying irony and sarcasm in texts (你可真是个气管炎(妻管严
    4. presenting and discussing own position on issues such as attitudes towards recycling, education in rural communities, and impact of social media on young people
    5. debating the pros and cons (for example, 这样做的好处是: …这样做的弊端是:…) and presenting a balanced and reasoned argument, for example, 综合各方面的意见, 我们认为…; 根据大家的意见, 我们想提出以下建议…
    6. applying effective strategies in a debate, including the art of rebuttal and developing a team line
Creating Elaborations
  1. Recognise and explain differing viewpoints on the world, cultures, individuals and issues as represented in major forms of literature such as 散文,小品,小说, and use this knowledge to create analytical and imaginative responses for identified audiences (VCZHC248)
    1. identifying various representations of multiculturalism in contemporary media and exploring the origins and nature of stereotypes commonly encountered
    2. exploring cross-cultural influences in contemporary media, for example, examining the impact of Korean culture on Chinese entertainment in diverse contexts (Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China)
    3. responding to films with a Chinese theme produced in other communities, for example, writing a personal response to a foreign film portraying Chinese-speaking communities
  2. Compare performance features of major forms of classical literature, such as in 诗, 词, making thematic and intertextual connections (VCZHC249)
    1. comparing how concepts such as love, bravery and friendship are expressed in Chinese and English poetry, for example, comparing 陆游的《钗头凤》 and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s ‘How Do I Love Thee?’; comparing poems of national unity (after war) and Banjo Paterson’s ‘We’re All Australians Now’
    2. comparing representations of particular concepts or experiences in different media, such as in novels and films, for example, 莫言小说《红高粱家族》 和张艺谋电影 《红高粱》
    3. exploring how different forms of entertainment are used to express or reflect contemporary issues, for example, analysing 春晚小品 and how the topics are related to the ‘hot’ events of the year
    4. collaborating to create a drama or comedy to depict their lives and the lives of other Chinese migrants in a new cultural environment
  3. Create imaginative texts experimenting with genre, textual features and stylistic devices (VCZHC250)
    1. comparing literature across languages and cultures and recognising features of entertainment, for example, identifying how magic and danger are used in Harry Potter and 《西游记》
    2. discussing the features of range of genres, such as memoirs, poems and moral tales, for example, comparing 小诗 and 散文 to identify how different genres express similar ideas
    3. creating own imaginative texts, using literary devices to achieve particular purposes, for example, foreshadowing events and building up to the climax in a story, and experimenting with 暗喻, 反复 and other 修辞手法
Translating Elaborations
  1. Interpret culture-specific concepts (VCZHC251)
    1. comparing idioms and colloquialisms across languages and identifying the challenges in mediating the cultural values embedded in such sayings, for example, 胸有成竹 versus ‘have a well-thought-out plan’; 山穷水尽 versus ‘at the end of one’s rope’; 入乡随俗 versus ‘when in Rome’; 绕圈子 versus ‘beating about the bush’
    2. mediating Chinese jokes or l to English speakers and vice versa
    3. reflecting on the beliefs, generalisations and stereotypes held by other Australians about Chinese cultural practices or values, for example,中国人只工作不享受/ 他们都很聪明/很难和中国人一起工作/中国菜都很好吃
    4. introducing people, places, events and ideas of cultural and historical significance to Chinese people, for example, explaining to Australian audiences the historical and contemporary significance of 孔子 (Confucius) and his idea of (humanity)
  2. Create bilingual texts for a range of audiences, contexts and purposes (VCZHC252)
    1. 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
    2. translating texts for a range of audiences and contexts, identifying adjustments to language choices made according social position of audience and context
    3. 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
Reflecting Elaborations
  1. Reflect on the language choices they make when expressing their points of view to others and connect these choices to their identities in Chinese and Australian communities (VCZHC253)
    1. discussing available choices in how they present their own identity to others and identifying times when they choose to express one aspect of their identity over another
    2. reflecting on how their language choices, including the use of English, Chinese, a dialect or accent, are indications of their sense of identity within a particular context
    3. considering the differences in their own sense of identity in Australia and when they ‘return home’ (回国) in terms of changes in social contexts and in their relationships with other participants in interactions
    4. describing examples of when changes in identity are more evident, such as when they are compared to friends ‘back home’
    5. identifying meanings implied in facial expressions, gestures, interjections and exclamations, for example, 哎 can be used to express surprise or dissatisfaction
    6. reflecting on how one’s own world view is conveyed through language choices, for example, ‘naming’ China 华夏、九州、神州大地、中原 which reflects their understanding of their history, geography, ethnicity and place in the world

Understanding

Systems of language Elaborations
  1. Compare features of prosody across languages and explore how they contribute to expression of meaning (VCZHU254)
    1. comparing how prosody is used to enhance the aesthetic features/uses of language in different texts such as poems and essays when read aloud
    2. 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
    3. 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
  2. Identify and explain how Chinese orthography enables access to technical and unusual vocabulary, including specialised abstract nouns, and a wider range of texts, using orthographic knowledge to identify characters related to topics studied in other learning areas, such as chemical elements (periodic table) and mathematical terms (VCZHU255)
    1. experimenting with the use of abstract nouns such as 物种 、 深春 、 微风 to create procedural texts
    2. developing skills to comprehend simplified or traditional Chinese characters in print media and online texts
    3. discriminating correct forms and sounds of 多音字 (polyphonic characters) such as (háng 同行 and xíng 行进), and appreciating multiple forms of 通假字 such as 反 - 返; 说 - 悦
  3. Compare the nature of word formation, including subtle forms of adjectives such as 特有的 and 明朗, in the development of new words in Chinese and English, and evaluate their effectiveness in conveying new concepts (VCZHU256)
    1. comparing the expression of new concepts across languages and analysing the representation of new ideas in contemporary media, such as 云电视、
    2. comparing the functions of semantically related morphemes and discussing why one is preferred over others in the development of new words, for example, ways of expressing ‘green’: 碧、 翠、 绿 、 青、 (翠绿、碧绿、青翠、苍翠) and new words such as: 雪碧,绿化
  4. Analyse and experiment with the use and effect of figurative and evaluative expressions, colloquial forms, and other language features in texts (VCZHU257)
    1. identifying the appropriate context for using colloquial forms such as 多姿多彩; 恰恰相反; 来得快去得快; higher-order verbs such as 弥漫;using for 顺接; and adverbials, for example, 便是, 恰恰相反
    2. experimenting with linguistic devices to enhance expression of emotions, for example, rhetorical questions, for example, 脸上的快乐,别人看得到。心里的痛苦又有谁能感到?
    3. analysing the use of figurative language in literature, for example, 老舍《骆驼祥子》 中虎妞的一段话:“呕!不出臭汗去,心里痒痒。你个贱骨头!我给你炒下的菜,你不回来吃,绕世界胡塞去舒服?你别把我招翻了,我爸爸是光棍出身,我什么事都做的出来!明天你敢出去,我就上吊给你看,我说得出来,就行得出来!”
    4. exploring examples of literary language and how grammatical features differ from everyday speech, for example, 鲁迅的小说和议论文
    5. manipulating styles of language in communication to achieve certain effects, such as writing a journal with 语气词 such as and to make it more like a dialogue with the reader
  5. Discuss key stylistic features of different text types, including classical literature (VCZHU258)
    1. identifying stylistic features of formal text types, for example, 作业报告 ;倡议书;竞选演说
    2. comparing the way an argument is developed in different languages, for example, in English the writer’s position is stated upfront whereas in Chinese it is generally left until the conclusion
    3. analysing how to position oneself when writing for different purposes, for example, in persuasive and evaluative writing (说服: 独生子女政策给中国的发展带来了很多好处; 议论: 独生子女政策对中国的发展利弊参半)
    4. exploring how to incorporate statistical data, quotations and research-based evidence in academic texts, for example, 据统计, 计划生育政策实行以来, 中国的人口少生了三亿
    5. identifying features of classical writing such as 虚词 particles 之、乎、者、也, and word reductions such as 若 (犹如,好像) 父(父亲,爸爸)
    6. exploring writing techniques in classical Chinese, such as the four steps in composing an essay (起承转合)
    7. using terms derived from classical literature in their own writing, for example, 世有伯乐,然后有千里马;千里马常有,而伯乐不常有。(韩愈:《杂说(四)》)
    8. determining the relevance and value of成语 and 歇后语 in developing their own writing
Language variation and change Elaborations
  1. Explain how changes in context impact on how language is adapted to convey meaning within and across languages (VCZHU259)
    1. 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
    2. 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
    3. understanding the historical traditions behind the differences between oral and written language in Chinese ( 文言 and 白话)
    4. 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
    5. identifying differences in pronunciation and/or tone across different Chinese-speaking environments, for example, is pronounced ‘hé’ in mainland China but can be pronounced as ‘hàn’ in Taiwan
  2. Research the phenomenon of language change in Chinese-speaking communities and monitor language use in a range of contemporary contexts (VCZHU260)
    1. comparing the language of previous generations to their own language use and discussing the nature of the differences between them
    2. 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
    3. examining new words added to Chinese dictionaries or introduced to social media and considering the reasons behind their development
    4. 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
  3. Analyse the language of different media and examine the ways in which media use language to persuade and influence others (VCZHU261)
    1. evaluating the impact of word choices (for example, 百衣百顺 for steam iron; 自然最健康,绿色好心情 for instant noodles) and discussing features of advertising language (广告词), for example, 简洁, 对仗,谐音,and how it relates to the brand and product
    2. viewing samples of 公益广告 for charity and non-profit organisations, and analysing the different ways in which imagery, voice and language use are combined, and the effect of these stylistic choices, for example, 好感型,优质型 and 励志型
The role of language and culture Elaborations
  1. Analyse and discuss the ways in which language is used to position authors, readers and participants in texts (VCZHU262)
    1. identifying choices in words and phrasing that influence a reader’s response to texts, such as language to persuade readers to endorse the writer’s views, for example, 难道不是每一个有良知的人都会认同的吗?
    2. examining ways in which authors use characterisation to incite sympathy or antagonism towards characters in literary texts, for example, directly describing a character’s personality compared to indirectly portraying the character’s personality through their actions or through the reactions of others

Levels 9 and 10 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 10, students sustain extended interactions with diverse individuals and groups, selecting spoken and written language for precision and for effect on participants. Students collate and evaluate a range of spoken, written and multimodal sources to convey different perspectives to different audiences. They select and organise ideas, adapting language, style, register and textual features to mediate these ideas for a range of audiences who speak Chinese or English or both. They respond to authentic texts and create a range of persuasive, informative and imaginative texts. Students apply features of prosody in their own speech. They apply understanding of character components and morphemes to their own writing. They reflect on their own experiences of interacting across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts, and display a capability to move readily between languages and cultures.

Students have metalinguistic awareness across their two languages, including explicitly considering similarities and differences in the structure and framing of both languages. They are aware of the choices they make in terms of how they present themselves and their ideas to audiences who speak either language. They analyse how language features and devices are used to achieve different purposes. Students explain how language and languages vary with time and according to situation and context. They identify evidence showing how texts reflect the cultural background and values of the author and different perspectives.

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