At our school, students in Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to learn Chinese as part of the Languages learning area in the Australian Curriculum Version 8.4. Learning Chinese not only supports communication skills but also builds intercultural understanding, critical thinking, and global awareness.
Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and learning it offers students a window into a rich and ancient culture while developing skills that are increasingly valuable in a globalised world.
What do students learn in Years 5 and 6?
In Years 5 and 6, students are beginning to develop more confidence in both spoken and written Chinese. The focus is on meaningful communication using familiar words and phrases in everyday contexts.
Key learning areas include:
Listening and speaking: Students practise pronunciation and tone, take part in simple conversations, and learn to ask and respond to questions about themselves, family, daily routines, and interests.
Reading and writing: Students read short texts and begin to write using commonly used characters. They learn how the Chinese writing system works and how to use Pinyin to support pronunciation and reading.
Language structures: Students are introduced to basic grammar patterns, sentence structures, and the use of characters in context.
Culture and meaning: Students explore aspects of Chinese culture, traditions, and values. They learn how language reflects culture and how communication may vary in different cultural settings.
Why is this valuable?
It strengthens students’ memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.
It promotes intercultural understanding and respect for diversity.
It enhances students' ability to learn other languages in the future.
It provides a foundation for further language study in high school and beyond.
The curriculum is designed to be engaging, age-appropriate, and accessible, even for students with no background in Chinese. Our teachers use songs, games, role-play, digital tools, and cultural activities to make learning both fun and meaningful.