Oran Park High School

Partners in Learning

Telephone02 4634 7700

Emailoranpark-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Languages

Oran Park High School's Lanaguge Teacher

Ms Rianna Dayoub

Languages

Learning languages provides the opportunity for students to engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of the world and its peoples. Students broaden their horizons in relation to personal, social, cultural and employment opportunities in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. Proficiency in languages provides a national resource that serves communities within Australia and enables the nation to engage more effectively with the global community. Learning languages exercises students’ intellectual curiosity, increases metalinguistic awareness, strengthens intellectual, analytical and reflective capabilities, and enhances critical and creative thinking.

Korean

Korean is the language of one of Australia’s significant Asian neighbours, and is spoken by a population of more than 80 million people in Korea and communities worldwide. With the rapidly growing interest in Korean culture across the world, the number of people learning Korean is also increasing with improved contact between the Republic of Korea and Australia in the spheres of education, the arts, sport and tourism.

Korean is the studied language at Oran Park High School. Students study Korean in Year 8 as a component of their Stage 4 studies. As a part of the University of New England’s ‘Asia ConneXions’ program, OPHS will have educational links with Muhak Middle School, South Korea. This is an opportunity for our students to converse with Korean students via HD video conference, and to create educational partnerships for cultural and languages exchanges.

Topic outline for Korean at OPHS

Stage 4 Korean

Year 8

  • Introduction to Korean and Hangeul
  • About me
  • Food
  • Sport and Leisure

Elective subjects in Languages

As OPHS grows to full capacity, Korean and Japanese elective subjects for Years 9 and 10 may be offered.

HSIE Elective Subjects

  • Korean Studies
  • Japanese Studies

In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.

Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.

The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8.

In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.