Chinese
YEAR 9 CHINESE (Non-Background Students)
What is the subject about?
It aims at enabling students consolidate and expand their knowledge of the language and the relevant cultures in the Chinese communities around the world. The focus areas are
- vocabulary and syntax when studying more complex texts in the topics of School Life, Leisure Life, Travel Experiences, Celebration of Important Days in one's Life and Describing Appearances, Personalities and Feelings.
- reading beyond the textbook - short passages, simple stories and plays to obtain main ideas and specific ideas.
- viewing images and watching movies/TV programs to learn about celebrations, customs, cultural practices among Chinese communities.
- interacting with peers including those in our sister-schools in Beijing and Nanjing.
- writing cohesive paragraphs/short texts in the topic areas and further developing ability in recognising and writing Chinese characters.
Ni Hao 3 will be used and supplementary materials will be provided. Differentiated tasks reflect flexible approaches to learning.
How will I demonstrate my learning?
You will demonstrate your learning by
- participation in learning activities
- completion of various short homework tasks
- undertaking the assessments of listening, reading and writing , and speaking and viewing, i.e. two assessments per school term
- semester examinations (oral and written)
What are the possible VCE pathways in this subject area?
Three VCE Chinese subjects are offered at Ruyton in 2026 and they are Chinese Second Language, Chinese Second Language Advanced and Chinese First Language. Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority sets out guidelines and criterion for grouping of students.
Refer to VCAA's criteria on how to group the Chinese learners and the relevant study desgins at the links below:
YEAR 9 ADVANCED CHINESE (MANDARIN)
Note: This course is available to Year 9 students who have completed the Year 8 Advanced course to the required standard, ie: an average of 70% or above, or by application to Learning Leader - Languages.
What is the subject about?
It caters for the students who have achieved a higher proficiency level in the target language amongst their peers. The key knowledge and skills include
- 5 macro skills - receptive skills in reading, listening and viewing; productive skills in speaking and writing
- Vocabulary and syntax based on topics that reflect the life of the current young people such as hobbies and making friends, shopping, part-time job for summer vocation, holding a party, diet, do volunteer work, Spring Festival and dinner of new year's eve etc
- general knowledge of China, such as its language, geography and customs
- different styles of writing - personal, imaginative and informative
- Chinese character study - more complex Chinese characters and combinations of characters to make new meanings.
How will I demonstrate my learning?
You will demonstrate your learning by completing
- participation in learning activities
- various short homework tasks
- the assessments of listening, reading and writing , and speaking and viewing, i.e. two assessments per school term
- semester examinations (oral and written)
What the possible VCE pathways in this subject area?
Three VCE Chinese subjects are offered in 2026 and they are Chinese Second Language, Chinese Second Language Advanced and Chinese First Language. Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority sets out guidelines and criterion for grouping of students.
Refer to VCAA's criteria on how to group the Chinese learners and the relevant study desgins at the links below:
YEAR 9 CHINESE (Chinese Background Students)
What is the subject about?
It caters for the students who are of Chinese backgrounds and use Chinese at various levels out of school hours. The key knowledge and skills include
- 5 macro skills - receptive skills in reading, listening and viewing; productive skills in speaking and writing
- Vocabulary and syntax based on topics that reflect the life of the current young people such as hobbies and making friends, shopping, part-time job for summer vocation, holding a party, Spring Festival and new year's eve dinner etc
- general knowledge of China, such as its language, geography and customs
- different styles of writing - personal, imaginative and informative
- Chinese character study - more complex Chinese characters and combinations of characters to make new meanings.
The textbooks used will be Chinese Made Easy 3 and Chinese Made Easy 4. They should retain Chinese Made Easy 3 from 2025. Supplementary materials will be provided. Differentiated tasks reflect flexible approaches to learning.
How will I demonstrate my learning?
You will demonstrate your learning by completing
- participation in learning activities
- various short homework tasks
- the assessments of listening, reading and writing , and speaking and viewing, i.e. two assessments per school term
- semester examinations (oral and written)
What the possible VCE pathways in this subject area?
Three VCE Chinese subjects are offered in 2026 and they are Chinese Second Language, Chinese Second Language Advanced and Chinese First Language. Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority sets out guidelines and criterion for grouping of students.
Refer to VCAA's criteria on how to group the Chinese learners and the relevant study desgins at the links below: