Languages
Learning a language expands students' horizons as both national and global citizens of the 21st Century. The principal reason for learning a language is to do with the deepest purposes of education itself, to instil knowledge, to deepen understanding, to stimulate reflection and to foster skills. Languages are intimately linked to the essentially humanistic, cultural and intellectual reasons for making education compulsory. Bilingualism can foster more reflective and imaginative dispositions in citizens, and the principals of democratic discourse, participation and opportunity which Australia proclaims also find resonance with language study since the bulk of humanity lives in societies and continues traditions forged outside of English. (Lo Bianco 2009)
All students at John XXIII College are provided with opportunities to study a language. Our Language Program is well established and offers interactive, creative and successful courses in Italian and Japanese. The Language Program prepares students for life, further studies and careers where a sound knowledge of languages and cultural sensitivities is advantageous.
A fun-filled, activity based Language course is offered to all Primary school students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 in Japanese.
All our Year 7 and Year 8 students study one Language, selected from Italian or Japanese. From Year 9 our secondary school students elect to study a language and are able to progress through to Year 12 with that language, where our students have achieved outstanding results in their final WACE Examinations.
Language courses are aimed at students for whom the language is a second (or subsequent) language. These students have typically not been exposed to or interacted in the chosen language outside the language classroom. They may have experienced some short stays or exchanges (less than two years in total) in a country where the language is a medium of communication. Students who have a background in a language should not enrol in that language, but are strongly encouraged to enrol in another language.
Language Bonus
Students who study an ATAR language course will be credited with a 10% bonus of their final scaled score which will be added to their Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA).
Exchange Programs
We have well established, extensive incoming and outgoing international exchange programs with Italy and Japan to ensure that our students are given the best opportunities to develop their skills and abilities to communicate in another language.
Read more about the exchange programs and reports on previous study tours.
Off-Campus Enrichment Program (Overseas Study Tour)
Students who participate in the Study Tour to Italy or Study Tour to Japan will be eligible to receive credit for one WACE Unit called: Off-campus Enrichment Program. This is a personal development program designed to recognise the significant learning demonstrated by students who participate in an extended excursion such as a study tour to another country.
