Caloundra State High School has a long tradition of teaching European languages. For students to learn French and Italian there is the advantage that these 
languages have a lot of vocabulary that stems from Latin thereby making learning French and Italian so much easier because of the similarities with English.
In years 7 and 8 students the course is an introductory course requiring no prior knowledge. Even if students have studied one or other of the languages in primary school the introductory program encourages communication in the target language with the focus on conversation and the promotion of oral skills. Students will be able to talk about themselves, their friends and their family members, what they like (and don’t like) to eat, clothes and travel.
Language learning helps significantly with cognitive development and encourages problem solving techniques. While the process of second language learning differs significantly from first language learning it aids remarkably with grammar, vocabulary and language structure in English.
As language learning is accumulative, year 7 and 8 study of languages is a prerequisite to extension French or Italian in years 9 and 10. To encourage communication skills and a variety of vocabulary, each semester of work is based on themes such as shopping, health, school, home etc. By year 12 students will be able to communicate fluently across a variety of topics in a variety of different real life situations. Universities value language to the extent that currently students who have completed and passed 4 semesters of a senior language receive 2 bonus credit points.
Ms Melissa Porter
HoD English and LOTE
english@caloundrashs.eq.edu.au