Languages

Italian Beginners is an ATAR course.

Exclusions: Italian Continuers; Italian Extension. 

Prerequisites: Strict eligibility rules apply to the study of this subject. In order to enter a Beginners course, a student must be determined eligible on the basis of the NESA course eligibility criteria. Students should apply to their school Principal for an eligibility determination. Check with your teacher or refer to Languages Courses Eligibility Criteria for further information.

Eligibility: Students are learning the language as a second (or subsequent) language. Students either have no prior spoken or written knowledge or experience of the language, or their experience is derived solely from, or is equivalent to, study of the language for 100 hours or less in Stage 4 or Stage 5. 

Why Study Italian?

Italian is the official language of Italy, San Marino and the Vatican City. It is one of the four official languages of Switzerland and one of the eleven official languages of the European Union. Extensive migration from Italy during the last 150 years has resulted in Italian being spoken in many other countries in Europe, in North and South America, the Africas and Australia. 

The history of Italian settlement in Australia can be traced to the First Fleet in 1788 and the place of Italian-speaking communities in Australia continues to play a significant role in Australia’s culturally diverse society.  

Italians and the Italian language make a distinctive contribution to politics, art, architecture, music, science, literature, film and theatre. All students of Italian have much to gain by acquiring knowledge of the language and cultural heritage of Italy.

Students have the opportunity to learn the Italian language and deepen their understanding of the traditions and culture of the country of their antecedents. The study of Italian provides students with opportunities for continued learning and for future employment and experience, both domestically and internationally, in areas such as public relations, commerce, hospitality, education, marketing, international relations, media and tourism.

By choosing Italian Beginners, you are choosing to learn: 

• how to use the Italian language to communicate and express yourself, your aspirations, values, opinions, ideas and relationships with others, through the study of the individual;

• how the Italian speaking world was formed and how these communities around us create their culture and enrich our own, through the study of Italian speaking communities;

• Meeting these objectives will involve using the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, either individually or in combination, and being able to move between Italian and English. 

For more information, speak to a Languages teacher or consult the NESA website.

Spanish Beginners is an ATAR course.

Exclusions: Spanish Continuers; Spanish Extension. 

Prerequisites: Strict eligibility rules apply to the study of this subject. In order to enter a Beginners course, a student must be determined eligible on the basis of the NESA course eligibility criteria. Students should apply to their school Principal for an eligibility determination. Check with your teacher or refer to Languages Courses Eligibility Criteria for further information.

Eligibility: Students are learning the language as a second (or subsequent) language. Students either have no prior spoken or written knowledge or experience of the language, or their experience is derived solely from, or is equivalent to, study of the language for 100 hours or less in Stage 4 or Stage 5. 

Why Spanish?

Moving between countries, cultures and languages has become more commonplace because of globalization, increased ease of travel and advanced information and communication technologies. High quality education in languages enables students to respond positively to the opportunities and challenges of their rapidly changing world.

The study of languages provides opportunities for students to become more accepting of diversity, more respectful of others and more aware of their place in the international community. Contemporary research and practice have established a clear link between the learning of languages and improved literacy skills for both background speakers and second language learners. Even limited experience of the learning of languages is shown to increase metalinguistic awareness and enhance general cognitive development.

The study of Spanish provides students with opportunities for continued learning and for future employment and experience, both domestically and internationally, in areas such as public relations, commerce, hospitality, education, marketing, international relations, media and tourism.

By choosing Spanish Beginners, you are choosing to learn:

• how to use the Spanish language to communicate and express yourself, your aspirations, values, opinions, ideas and relationships with others, through the study of the individual;

• how the Spanish speaking world was formed and how these communities around us create their culture and enrich our own, through the study of Spanish speaking communities;

For more information, speak to a Languages teacher or consult the NESA website.