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.
At Davidson High School, it is our aim to develop our students into global citizens through the teaching and learning of other languages and cultures, to encourage acceptance of diversity and to foster intercultural understanding.
Years 7/8
(mandatory 100 hours)
NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) mandates 100 hours of language study between the Years 7-10. At Davidson High School, this requirement has been put into Stage 4, Year 8.
Students in Year 7 will be asked to choose between Italian and Japanese for their compulsory language study in Year 8.
Students will be asked to submit their choice in writing by completing a Language Selection Form after discussion with their parents/guardians.
Years 9/10
(elective 100/200hours)
Italian or Japanese is offered as elective subjects in Stage 5. Students will build on the basic skills acquired in Year 8 by extending their reading and writing abilities as well as continuing to develop their speaking and listening skills.
Students will gain deeper understanding into the cultural, sociocultural, and linguistic aspects of their chosen language through engaging with a variety of texts, film, music, art & crafts, festivals, and cooking.
Years 11/12
(elective 120/240 hours)
Senior language courses offered vary from year to year depending on the elective courses running in Stage 5 at the time.
Stage 6 courses offered include Beginners and Continuers in both Italian and Japanese.
Beginners’ language courses are offered to students who have little (beyond the 100-hour mandatory component) or no prior knowledge of the Target Language.
Continuers language courses are an option for students who have studied the Target Language in Stages 4 and 5 (typically 200-300 hours).
There are NESA eligibility criteria for each of the language courses offered in Stage 6.
Faculty Staff
Italian - Rosetta Coletta
Prof. Coletta is an experienced teacher of Italian having taught it across numerous schools on the Northern Beaches for over 20 years including at a senior campus.
She is also an experienced HSC examiner, marker and judge and has written a variety of resources for the NSW Department of Education.
Japanese - Ayumi Dalpadado
Dalpadado Sensei is an experienced teacher of Japanese having taught at primary, secondary and tertiary levels over a career spanning 30 years as well as working as a Japanese Language Consultant with the NSW Department of Education.
She has developed syllabuses, written HSC exam papers and a variety of support materials including a textbook for Japanese. She also has experience as an HSC senior marker, senior examiner, judge, and HSC exam assessor with NESA.