LANGUAGES Camberwell Grammar School places strong emphasis on the importance of learning languages. In an increasingly interconnected and globalised world, languages broaden students’ horizons and expose them to new ideas and cultures. Language learning helps make students aware of different cultures and how to engage with them, skills which will become increasingly important in the future. COURSE STRUCTURE Year 7
Students study four languages for a semester each
Year 8
Students continue with two languages
Year 9
Students continue with at least one language
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Students continue with at least one language
VCE: language study is optional, but students can continue with any of the languages on offer
VCE: language study is optional, but students can continue with any of the languages on offer
Language and Culture Tours French, Latin and Chinese offer overseas tours to augment student learning. These are held in school holidays and are not compulsory, but do help students to see places they have been studying, and for
the modern languages to practise their language in a real setting. For more details please see the respective Head of the language.
Overseas Exchanges Students may wish to spend an extended time overseas on exchange. This will provide them with increased exposure to the target language in real-life situations, and is beneficial to a student’s
language skills. Ideally exchanges should be arranged to coincide with school holidays, to ensure other subjects do not suffer.
Other Languages In some cases students may wish to study a language not offered at Camberwell Grammar School. This may be a language that the student speaks at home, or has studied at another school. In these situations it may be possible to study the language through the Victorian School of Languages (VSL). Usually the student works by correspondence with a teacher at the VSL, who sends an amount of work to be done each week, and arranges a regular time to talk over the phone.
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YR 9 & 10 CURRICULUM GUIDE 2021
Learning a language by correspondence with the VSL requires great determination and self-discipline from a student, as there is no regular class structure to support and encourage him. Typically the student will be given time to work on his language study in the library in place of a language elective. Students who are interested in studying a language with the VSL should discuss the matter with the Head of Curriculum (Years 9 to 12).
