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.
Year 7 students at Goulburn High School study the French Beginners course.
In this course, they learn about the French language with Touché French workbooks and also study French culture and food, and its differences and similarities to Australia.
Other areas they learn about throughout the course include the cafés and cuisine specialties of the different regions, greetings such as Bonjour, Ça va? (Hello, how are you?), numbers one to 100 (cent), colours, where do you live, animals and who is in your family photo album.
They also watch French videos to help teach them French language and culture.