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• VCZHU110

  Explore the development of Chinese as an international language and as a lingua franca in Chinese communities

  Elaborations

  • 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 versus 高手
  • investigating the dialects spoken in local Chinese communities and understanding why character subtitles are typically added to Chinese films and television shows
  • exploring the role of code-switching in the language use of bilingual speakers (for example, acronyms and words which have not been translated from their original English) and how Chinese authorities are trying to change this and limit the use of these terms in everyday media

  VCZHU110 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCZHU028

  Use nouns, adjectives and simple sentences to record observations

  Elaborations

  • exploring basic sentence structure in Chinese, consisting of subject–verb–object, and learning to analyse sentences in both Chinese and English, for example, ‘What’s the subject in the sentence “My mum drives a car”? How about in the Chinese sentence 我看书? Do sentences work the same way in Chinese and English?’
  • recognising grammatical features and how their use differs in Chinese and English, for example, the lack of articles in Chinese; that adjectives can be used as verbs; limited use of the verb ‘to be’ (是)
  • following patterns of word order and sentence structure and using negation when creating sentences to express own meanings, for example, replacing the subject pronoun in 我喜欢绿色 to create the sentence 我妈妈不喜欢绿色

  VCZHU028 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU106

  Discern differences in patterns of sound and tone in extended Chinese speech when listening to speakers of different age, gender, and regional background

  Elaborations

  • listening to interactions between unfamiliar voices at different speeds or levels of clarity to develop auditory and comprehension skills, and discriminating between sounds heard in oral discourse, including the range of vowel and consonant combinations, for example, ‘qin’ versus ‘qing’ and ‘chi’ versus ‘qi’
  • examining the diverse meanings of words that share similar sounds, for example, the many meanings of the sound ‘shi’ and how to differentiate between 同音词 and 近音词 in different contexts (同意 and 统一)
  • comparing examples of regional variation in pronunciation (for example, the Beijing use of 儿 and the southern pronunciation of ‘shi’ and ‘si’), and noticing and describing differences in accent and tone when listening to Chinese speakers from diverse regions

  VCZHU106 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU079

  Explain how language defines people’s roles as outsiders or insiders in groups and cultures

  Elaborations

  • experimenting with internet language to communicate with peers in a class blog and recognising the value of technology in exploring and constructing own texts
  • considering how they can be more inclusive in their own language use, for example: What questions can I ask to understand others better? What words are best to be avoided? How can I express my opinion without causing offence?
  • examining the use of inclusive language and how ideas are framed, for example, the impact of positive versus negative framing on how meaning is interpreted across languages and cultures, such as 足下留情，小草常青 versus ‘Keep off the grass’
  • exploring the contexts and implications of terms used to identify others, for example, 老外、 华侨、 华裔、 大陆人、 华人、 中国人、 少数民族

  VCZHU079 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• 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

• VCZHU158

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

  Elaborations

  • identifying variability in language used in a variety of contexts, for example, at the supermarket, at the doctor’s surgery, or when visiting a friend or relative
  • recognising language reflecting different levels of formality, such as 爷爷 and 祖父, and using language to reflect formality appropriate to context, for example, l and 非常疲惫
  • using words and expressions reflecting their interlocutor’s seniority and authority, for example, 您老敬请？
  • analysing language use to identify degree of intimacy or distance between participants, for example, 咱俩、我们、我和您
  • differentiating oral and written styles of language, for example, 我要吃好吃的。中国有很多美食

  VCZHU158 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | 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

• VCZHC215

  Translate a range of simple Chinese texts and identify how some concepts can be mediated readily between Chinese and English and some cannot

  Elaborations

  • exploring ways to interpret and explain key concepts and cultural practices identified in Chinese interactions (for example, 面子) and experimenting with how to give 面子 in interaction with others
  • considering the uses of different measurement words in Chinese (for example, 小勺 and 茶匙；斤 and 克) when comparing Chinese translations of English recipes
  • comparing alternative translations to identify concepts of ‘normality’ in their own linguistic and cultural context, for example, using the term 软饮料 (instead of 无酒精饮料) assumes the reader/audience has some understanding of English to understand meaning of 软
  • 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
  • identifying words used with specific assumptions, for example, gender (英俊 is used to describe males), significance (会见 versus 见面), formality (光临 versus 来到)
  • considering ways to convey culture-specific terms in English (for example, 中药和食疗, 上火，大补)

  VCZHC215 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Translating

• VCZHU096

  Discuss how language choices reflect cultural practices, including clarifying roles and relationships between participants in interactions

  Elaborations

  • discussing cultural values reflected in language use (for example, in relation to celebrations) and how they influence interactions, for example, by asking: In the colloquial phrase 合家团圆, what is 团圆？ Why wish people 团圆？ Does this have the same meaning in Australian culture? What’s the relationship between the language use and the Chinese values in this phrase?
  • identifying aspects taken for granted in communication (for example, a shared understanding of gesture, body movement and word meanings), and comparing ways people interact across cultures, asking, for example: How do Chinese people use gesture? Which non-verbal cues are shared with English speakers? Do they mean the same thing in both cultures? How does not understanding these differences impact on how we perceive each other?
  • exploring the nature of the concept of ‘family’ in Chinese culture and how this influences relationships between individuals, for example, addressing adults as 叔叔 or 阿姨
  • experimenting with multiple ways of expressing similar meanings in Chinese (for example, 你叫什么？ 你叫什么名字？ 你几岁？你多大？) and discussing the differences in the context of use
  • discussing how different roles and relationships are reflected in or impacted by word choices, for example, whether/when it is appropriate to ask someone’s age, when to say 你几岁？ or 你多大了？or when to use 你属什么?
  • considering the different ways of addressing people in authority (李老师；王校长) and how this reflects the importance of respect and hierarchy in Chinese culture

  VCZHU096 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | The role of language and culture

• VCZHU156

  Understand and use basic structures and features of Chinese grammar to enhance meaning and clarity of expression

  Elaborations

  • recognising grammatical functions of common suffixes and prefixes to assist comprehension in reading, for example, recognising that 子, 者， 家 are noun suffixes (for example, 家 in 书法家、数学家)
  • discriminating between the contextual meanings of characters with multiple meanings, such as 家 in 家人 and in 画家
  • recognising words that reflect particular cultural understandings, for example, 天气 means ‘weather’ but literally translates as ‘sky’s energy’
  • explaining the function of words and structures in language encountered, for example, 了 in the sentence 我早上看见了两只猫 indicates the completion of an action in the past
  • exploring and beginning to build more complex messages, such as using forms of cohesion, and finding ways to generalise or nominalise ideas, for example, 因为… 所以 …, 虽然… 可是…, 不但… 而且…, 总而言之/总的来说
  • recognising the different focus and purpose of alternative sentences, for example, 他把杯子狠狠地扔在地上 and 杯子被狠狠地扔在地上
  • understanding that there are different applications of grammatical rules in spoken and written language, for example, in ordering food (for example, comparing the structure of the following expressions: 来点儿什么菜？; 您吃点儿什么？;你想吃/要吃什么？; 你想吃海鲜炒饭吗？; 海鲜炒饭要吃吗？)
  • differentiating use of grammar based on context, for example, using sentences with more formal structures in report writing
  • recognising terms and expressions used in formal written styles, for example, 首先，其次，最后 rather than 先…后来…后来…

  VCZHU156 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU107

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

  Elaborations

  • analysing sequences of characters containing a common component or side to determine the features of form, function and predictability within the group, for example, explaining the features of position, phonetic function and range of sounds in the characters 请 清 情 晴 精 睛 猜
  • using understanding of familiar radicals and phonetic sides to estimate the sound and meaning of characters when reading aloud
  • describing characters to others by naming their components or sides in sequence, for example, ‘standing man’ (亻) on the left, ‘words’ (言) on the right ＝ 信
  • 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
  • recognising traditional characters encountered in their local Chinese communities and noting their 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 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
  • recognising the two-syllable preference in Chinese nouns and applying this understanding when reading texts

  VCZHU107 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHC085

  Express opinions about imagined characters and events seen and heard in contemporary media and performances, and create own portrayals of characters using gesture, action, stress, and modelled phrases

  Elaborations

  • watching segments of texts in Chinese, such as popular music videos from various sources of media, and expressing personal opinions, for example, 我觉得…很有意思
  • performing Chinese songs and experimenting with rhythm, voice, emotion and gesture to convey the intended sentiment and meaning of songs and rhymes and enhance performance
  • comparing stories and characters in both Chinese and Australian popular media, and exploring themes and topics that interest young people from different cultural backgrounds, such as 澳大利亚的年轻人也很喜欢看动作片。成龙很有名
  • creating short plays or skits and taking on roles in imagined scenarios such as visiting or hosting a Chinese friend, a shopping experience or a fashion show
  • assuming the role of a young Chinese person in the performance of a play about, for example, celebrating Chinese New Year
  • creating and performing a rap about learning Chinese, experimenting with voice, gesture and action to convey different emotions and attitudes, including use of word stress to alter the way meaning is expressed and interpreted, for example, exploring the implications of expressing 不要 with varying degrees of volume and emphasis

  VCZHC085 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Creating

• VCZHC228

  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

  Elaborations

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 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…

  VCZHC228 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Informing

• 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

• VCZHC021

  Respond to and create simple imaginative texts using voice, rhythm, and appropriate gesture and action

  Elaborations

  • performing plays in groups, using puppets and props, with allocated roles (such as 《十二生肖的故事》, 《饥饿的毛毛虫》), and using gestures and other movements to enhance the impact of performance, for example, using facial expressions to demonstrate emotions during a play
  • viewing performances such as a song and dance show for children and identifying features of language, for example, rhyming in 小燕子，穿花衣，年年春天来这里
  • creating own representations of familiar songs (小星星), poems and stories with a focus on varying voice, rhythm, gesture and action
  • reading excerpts of 童谣 and comparing Chinese-specific expression with English version, such as 小猫怎么叫,喵喵喵。小狗怎么叫，汪汪汪。小鸡怎么叫，叽叽叽。小鸭怎么叫，嘎嘎嘎。小羊怎么叫，咩咩咩
  • singing familiar songs from both cultures, such as 《小星星》，《说哈罗》,《猜拳歌》 or 《狼与小孩》, to memorise words and sounds and for enjoyment
  • expressing own feelings, likes and dislikes in response to Chinese stories, songs and poems, and asking for classmates’ feelings

  VCZHC021 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Communicating | Creating

• VCZHU223

  Explore the significance of tradition in 名人名言 and 经典 and examine contemporary influences on language use

  Elaborations

  • reading texts in traditional characters on familiar topics and inferring meaning of key characters
  • predicting the meaning of texts in traditional characters encountered in everyday contexts by relating the character’s simplified version, for example, 匾 in a tourist site
  • discussing the influences on their own Chinese language use (for example, from TV, family or Chinese school) and how their language use compares to that of their parents and other Chinese speakers
  • analysing how new words and concepts are developed and incorporated into daily use, for example, in contemporary media such as TV dramas, music and film
  • exploring samples of classical texts such as 《论语》 and recognising the impact of classical Chinese on contemporary written language, for example, the use of 岂， 于
  • listing famous quotes from traditional literature, such as famous lines from poems, and using these in their own writing
  • identifying examples of 成语 in writing by students of Chinese, discussing the effect of this usage and then identifying any errors made, such as in the sentence 我要休息一下，要不然有个三长两短就不好了

  VCZHU223 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• 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

• VCZHU189

  Analyse and compose different types of texts for different purposes, using appropriate linguistic, textual and cultural elements

  Elaborations

  • comparing how statistical data such as census information or surveys is collated and referred to in Chinese and English texts, including consideration of the levels of in-text referencing required across both languages
  • analysing linguistic, stylistic and textual features of a range of samples of the same genre to compare the choices made by authors and the impact of those choices, for example, comparing 这位老人已经七十多岁了， 他每天要一上一下地打扫一千八百多级石阶， 该是多么辛苦啊！ and 这位老人年纪大了，要打扫很多石阶，这些石阶大概有一千八百多级，非常辛苦
  • analysing the layout of magazines and online texts and the deliberate choices of image, font and words to enhance understanding of key ideas and author positioning
  • examining the language of newspapers, identifying commonly encountered linguistic terms and considering the concise ways in which world events are reported in Chinese media
  • using models of literary styles to create texts and present them in multiple ways, for example, producing an article with 排比 to enhance emotional impact, and reading it aloud to peers, using volume, stress and facial expression to reflect emotions

  VCZHU189 | Languages | Chinese | Background Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHU258

  Discuss key stylistic features of different text types, including classical literature

  Elaborations

  • identifying stylistic features of formal text types, for example, 作业报告 ;倡议书;竞选演说
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 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）
  • exploring writing techniques in classical Chinese, such as the four steps in composing an essay (起承转合)
  • 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）》）
  • determining the relevance and value of成语 and 歇后语 in developing their own writing

  VCZHU258 | Languages | Chinese | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCZHC105

  Reflect on the reactions and experiences of participants (including their own) in interactions and observe how languages is adapted to communicate effectively in unfamiliar contexts

  Elaborations

  • sharing information about their membership of diverse groups and exploring how this is expressed in Chinese, for example, 我和他是同学，我们都在这个学校学习。我的姐姐是澳大利亚国家队的运动员
  • interacting with Chinese-speaking peers to share aspects of their own identities as young Australians, for example, considering: What aspects of my life and identity would Chinese youth find interesting? How do I want to be perceived or understood?
  • identifying how different opinions and perspectives are expressed and how this may be perceived by others, for example, comparing representations of foreigners in 外国人有一些不同的习俗 with 老外都很奇怪
  • interacting with teachers and peers and reflecting on how to respond, for example, what to do when they don’t comprehend words used or meanings expressed by other participants
  • identifying and responding to intended and unintended meanings conveyed in interactions, for example, noticing contradictions between what is being said and the posture, movement, gesture and expression of participants, and asking: How do I interpret participants’ real meaning? Are they just being polite or are their words genuine?
  • reflecting on their own language choices in interactions with Chinese speakers and how these may have been perceived, for example: Was my communication culturally appropriate? Did I adjust my language and body language to help convey my meaning more appropriately and effectively? How can I seem interested when I am not?
  • reflecting on how one’s own cultural values and norms may relate to those of Chinese speakers, for example: What are the values held by Chinese speakers? Which of my own values are non-negotiable? What Chinese values do I feel I should validate and support?
  • examining the use of inclusive language and how ideas are framed, for example, the impact of positive versus negative framing on how meaning is interpreted across languages and cultures, such as 足下留情，小草常青 versus ‘Keep off the grass’
  • considering the role of voice, pitch and pace to encourage involvement of others in interactions and experimenting with modality to empower themselves and others, for example, 你可以 versus 你一定要；我可能 versus 我会
  • exploring the contexts and implications of terms used to identify others, for example, 老外、 华侨、 华裔、 大陆人、 华人、 中国人、 少数民族

  VCZHC105 | Languages | Chinese | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Reflecting