Level Description

The nature of the learners

At this level, students bring to their learning existing knowledge of Arabic language and culture and a range of strategies. They are increasingly aware of the world beyond their own and are engaging with youth-related and social and sustainability issues. They require continued guidance and mentoring but work increasingly independently to analyse, reflect on and monitor their language learning and intercultural experiences. They are considering future pathways and options, including the possible role of Arabic in these.

Arabic language learning and use

Learners are immersed in Arabic language, initiating and engaging in discussions and debates on topics of interest, and responding to enquiries. They reflect on the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of their language use in interactions and make necessary adjustments. They engage in an increasing range of interactions with others, seeking and giving advice لأنك تحب الرياضة؛ أنصحك بالسباحة لأنها مفيدة جدا, discussing future plans and aspirations يزداد الفقر في المجتمع ويجب على الجميع أن يحاربه , and justifying their ideas and opinions أنا أحترم رأيك كثيراَ؛ لا أتفق معك إطلاقاَ. They access and evaluate information about places, events, people, experiences and cultures from diverse sources, and convey perspectives and views on topical issues such as friends, family and relationships, social issues, youth culture, community matters and the natural and built environments, making connections with their own ideas and experiences. Learners produce a range of texts, such as informative, narrative, descriptive, procedural or persuasive texts, for a variety of contexts, audiences and purposes. They use their imagination to create and present texts, such as stories, plays, poems and speeches, and to express ideas, attitudes and values through different characters, events, settings and techniques. They develop translating and interpreting techniques and intercultural awareness in order to mediate between languages and cultures. Through their engagement with diverse texts and resources, students explore how cultural practices, concepts, values and beliefs are embedded in texts and how language choices shape and reflect perspectives and meaning.

Contexts of interaction

Learners interact with peers, the teacher and other Arabic speakers both locally and globally through a variety of means and modes of communication, including digital, online, collaborative performances and group discussions. The context of interaction extends beyond the classroom and involves investigating and reporting on issues in the local community and transacting with local Arabic speakers to negotiate services. These experiences provide learners with a sense of connectedness and purpose as Arabic and English speakers.

Texts and resources

Learners use diverse resources such as Arabic newspapers, magazines, documentaries, films, stories, songs, television programs, entertainment performances and web pages as references to assist them with discussions and research projects on Arabic language and culture. They explore a variety of text types, such as poems, articles, formal letters, interviews and speeches, and engage with a range of informative, historical or literary perspectives, views and arguments. Learners use a range of dictionaries and translation methods to support comprehension, build vocabulary and elaborate on ideas.

Features of Arabic language use

Learners apply appropriate pronunciation, rhythm, stress and tone and a variety of language features and complex sentence structures to enhance their spoken and written communication. They apply complex grammatical structures, such as indirect object pronouns and passive voice, to express their ideas objectively in texts such as articles and speeches, for example, لا تهتم لقد دُفعت فاتورة الطعام . They expand on their views and opinions by using persuasive language, such as the subjunctive and imperative moods (لا تنسوا؛ شاهدوا الفيلم الاسطوري, and use cohesive devices to link and sequence ideas and information, for example, في البداية أود أن أحدثكم عن يوم النظافة. They analyse and explain how and why language use varies according to cultural contexts, relationships and purposes, and develop the language of reflection in Arabic.

Level of support

Support at this level of learning includes rich and varied stimulus materials, continued scaffolding and modelling of language functions and communicative tasks, and explicit instruction and explanation of the grammatical system, with opportunities for learners to discuss, clarify, practise and apply their knowledge. Critical and constructive teacher feedback combines with peer support and self-review to monitor and evaluate learning outcomes, for example, through portfolios, peer review or e-journalling.

The role of English

Arabic is predominantly used as the medium for classroom interaction and content delivery. English is used only when necessary to allow for further reflection on and discussion or explanation of more demanding concepts, particularly when making connections between language and culture. Learners explore how language influences cultural experiences and ways of thinking and of viewing the world. They examine their own personal and cultural identity and reflect on the nature of intercultural exchanges in which they are involved. They question the assumptions that Arabic and English speakers bring to interactions, and discuss ways to increase mutual understanding. They view their bilingualism and biculturalism as an asset for themselves and for Australia.

Achievement Standard

By the end of Year 10, students use written and spoken Arabic to initiate, sustain and extend formal and informal interactions with the teacher, peers and others in a range of settings. They use language spontaneously to respond to others, seek and give advice for example, كيف أستطيع أن ...؛ أعتقد أ..., describe relationships for example, عندي أصدقاء كثر؛ علاقتي بعائلتي وطيدة؛ أحب معلمتي كثيرا لأنها حنونة, discuss aspirations for example, أريد أن أعمل في مكدونالدز في العطلة؛ أريد أن اصبح طبيبا؛ أحلم أن أكون رائد فضاء and future plans (for example, في المستقبل؛ أريد أن أسافر إلى أوروبا؛ عندما أكبر؛ أريد أن أدخل الجامعة, compare experiences for example, بيتي القديم كان أجمل من بيتي الحالي , and justify opinions for example, لأن...؛ بسبب... ) on social issues of interest to them. They listen to different views and perspectives when interacting with others, and take action, solve problems and contribute ideas, opinions and suggestions. They apply pronunciation rules and rhythm to complex sentences to enhance spoken interactions. They analyse, interpret and evaluate information on topical issues of interest to young people, making connections with their own experiences and considering various perspectives. They convey information and perspectives using different text types and modes of presentation to suit different contexts and audiences and to achieve different purposes. They share their response to different imaginative texts by analysing themes for example, الفكرة الأساسية في النص؛ هدف النص؛ الموضوع , techniques for example, الكناية والاستعارة والتشبيه and values, and identify ways in which aspects of language and culture create particular effects, such as المشاعر التي يؤججها النص. Students create imaginative texts for a range of audiences, contexts and purposes, to express ideas, attitudes and values through characters, events and settings. When creating texts, they use a variety of grammatical elements to enhance meaning, such as indirect object, passive and active voice, negation for example, ليس عندي وقت؛ لا يوجد وقت؛ لن أجد الوقت, verb tense and word order for example, الجملة الاسمية والجملة الفعلية؛ ظرف الزمان أو المكان في بداية الجملة, and time and place clauses such as في وقت من الأوقات؛ في المجتمع الأسترالي؛ في الشارع العام . Students translate and interpret texts from Arabic into English and vice versa and explain how cultural values, attitudes and perspectives are represented. They create a range of bilingual texts for a variety of purposes and audiences. They explain the relationship between language, culture and identity, question perceptions, and modify language and behaviours in intercultural interactions as appropriate.

Students apply their understanding of complex pronunciation rules and writing conventions, such as stress patterns and rules of pause, to enhance meaning and aesthetic effect. They analyse a range of persuasive, argumentative and expository texts and explain the relationship between context, purpose, audience, linguistic features, and textual and cultural elements such as التحية والتوقيع في بداية الرسائل والتمني بالتوفيق والصحة. They explain how and why variations in Arabic language use relate to roles, relationships and contexts of interaction. Students analyse the ways in which languages change in response to changing environments. They explain how language use reflects thoughts and world views and is shaped by cultural experiences.