Languages

Languages

Languages

The College aims to challenge students to become global citizens with international-mindedness a priority in their thinking and problem solving. Through the International Baccalaureate Primary and Middle Years Programmes, the College aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable young people with respect for all cultures. 

Study of Languages

Through the study of languages, students not only acquire skills in a second language, but they learn more about other cultures and life perspectives, enabling empathy and identifying opportunities for service. The College recognises that every teacher is a language teacher, supporting student’s communication through both written and spoken forms.

Beyond Year 10 the language courses offered at Good Shepherd are Stage 1 and Stage 2 German and Japanese, and from 2021, French. Students may only select these courses if they demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the language. Senior students have the opportunity to attend Cultural Tours in Japan, Germany and Switzerland.

French Continuers - 1FRC10 & 2FRC20

French, at the continuers level, is a subject designed for students who have studied the German language for 400 to 500 hours by the time they have completed Stage 2, or who have an equivalent level of knowledge. Students interact with others to share information, ideas, opinions and experiences. They create texts in language to express information, feelings, ideas and opinions. They analyse texts to interpret meaning, and examine relationships between language, culture and identity, and reflect on the ways in which culture influences communication.

Stage 1 & 2 Topics

  • The Individual
  • The French Speaking Communities
  • The Changing World

During the set topics and themes, students will -

  • Interact with others in French
  • Create a range of texts in French
  • Analyse and interpret texts in French and respond to them in French and/or English
  • Give oral presentations in French
  • Research, analyse and reflect on the French Speaking Community or Changing World issues

Stage 2 Assessment (Stage 1 generally mirrors Stage 2 assessment requirements)

School-based Assessment         Weighting                 
Folio 50%
In-depth Study 20%
External Assessment  
190 Minute Written Examination and an Oral Examination   30%

Japanese Continuers - 1JAC10 & 2JAC20

Japanese, at the continuers level, is a subject designed for students who have studied the Japanese language for 400 to 500 hours by the time they have completed Stage 2, or who have an equivalent level of knowledge. Students interact with others to share information, ideas, opinions and experiences. They create texts in language to express information, feelings, ideas and opinions. They analyse texts to interpret meaning, and examine relationships between language, culture and identity, and reflect on the ways in which culture influences communication.

Stage 1 & 2 Topics

  • The Individual
  • The Japanese speaking Communities
  • The Changing World

During the set topics and themes, students will -

  • Interact with others in Japanese
  • Create a range of texts in Japanese
  • Analyses and interpret texts in Japanese and respond to them in Japanese and/or English
  • Give oral presentations in Japanese
  • Research, analyse and reflect on Japanese Speaking Community or Changing World issues

Stage 2 Assessment (Stage 1 generally mirrors Stage 2 assessment requirements)

School-based Assessment                       Weighting          
Folio 50%
In-depth Study 20%
External Assessment  
190-Minute Written Examination and an Oral Examination   30%

German Continuers - 1GEC10 & 2GEC20

German, at the continuers level, is a subject designed for students who have studied the German language for 400 to 500 hours by the time they have completed Stage 2, or who have an equivalent level of knowledge. Students interact with others to share information, ideas, opinions and experiences. They create texts in language to express information, feelings, ideas and opinions. They analyse texts to interpret meaning, and examine relationships between language, culture and identity, and reflect on the ways in which culture influences communication.

Stage 1 and 2 Topics

  • The Individual
  • The German speaking Communities
  • The Changing World

During the set topics and themes, students will -

  • Interact with others in German
  • Create a range of texts in German
  • Analyses and interpret texts in German and respond to them in German and/or English
  • Give oral presentations in German
  • Research, analyse and reflect on German Speaking Community or Changing World issues

Stage 2 Assessment (Stage 1 generally mirrors Stage 2 assessment requirements)

School-based Assessment     Weighting          
Folio 50%
In-depth Study 20%
External Assessment  
190-Minute Written Examination and an Oral Examination   30%

 

DSC - German Language Diploma

We are delighted to announce that Good Shepherd is now officially accredited as a school offering German Language Diploma I!
 
DSD I and DSD II examinations are held in over 65 countries, with about 75,000 participants every year worldwide. The DSD offers an official certificate with centralised exams and aligned with school-leaving certificates in Germany. DSD I is the preliminary stage to the DSD II, which follows in the upper level and serves as proof of language proficiency for admission to German universities.
 
More information can be found in the below documents:

DSD - German Language Diploma Brochure

German Language Diploma Information

 

DSD Logo