French: Second Language ATAR Course
Overview
This course progresses from the Years 7-10 curriculum and focuses on further developing a student's knowledge and understanding of the culture and the language of French-speaking communities. Students gain a broader and deeper understanding of the French language and extend and refine their communication skills.
The French: Second Language ATAR course can connect to the world of work, further study and travel. It also offers opportunities for students to participate in the many sister school and student exchange programs between Western Australia and French-speaking communities. The French: Second Language ATAR course is designed to equip students with the skills needed to function in an increasingly globalised society, a culturally and linguistically diverse local community, and to provide the foundation for life-long language learning.
This course is aimed at students for whom French is a second, or subsequent, language. These students have not been exposed to, or interacted in, the language outside of the language classroom. They have typically learnt everything they know about the French language and culture through classroom teaching in an Australian school, or similar environment, where English is the language of school instruction. Students have typically studied French for 200-400 hours at the commencement of Year 11 and may have experienced some short stays or exchanges in a country where the language is a medium of communication.
Organisation
This course is organised into a Year 11 syllabus and a Year 12 syllabus. The cognitive complexity of the syllabus content increases from Year 11 to Year 12.
The Year 11 syllabus is divided into two units (Units 1 and 2) each of one semester duration, which are typically delivered as a pair. The notional time for each unit is 55 class contact hours.
The Year 12 syllabus is divided into two units (Units 3 and 4) which are delivered as a pair. The notional time for the pair of units is 110 class contact hours.
Reporting
Schools report student achievement in terms of the following grades:
A - Excellent achievement
B - High achievement
C - Satisfactory achievement
D - Limited achievement
E - Very low achievement
