Page 34 - Languages Victoria December 2019

Languages Victoria
Media Release: VCE Modern Language Assessment to be Made Fairer
Thursday, 21 November 2019
VCE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT TO BE MADE FAIRER
The Andrews Labor Government is making VCE modern Language assessments fairer.
The new changes announced by the Minister for Education James Merlino enable differentiation between students 􏰀ho ha􏰁e spoken a lang􏰂age as a 􏰃firs􏰄 lang􏰂age􏰅 or are learning i􏰄 as a 􏰃second lang􏰂age􏰅􏰆
Two levels of Language are already being used successfully in VCE Japanese, Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese.
VCE Chinese students have four levels available: First Language, Second Language, Second Language Advanced and
Chinese Language, Culture and Society. Thursday, 21 November 2019
VUCnEdMerOtDhEeRcNhaLnAgNeGs UfoArGoEthAeSrSmESoSdMerEnNlTanTgOuaBgEeMs, AFiDrsEt FaAnIdRESRecond Language students will still follow the same curriculum and sit the same examinations. The changes will simply ensure there is equity in assessment and there
The Andrews Labor Government is making VCE modern Language assessments fairer.
is no disadvantage for Second Language students.
The new changes announced by the Minister for Education James Merlino enable differentiation between students
􏰀ho ha􏰁e spoken a lang􏰂age as a 􏰃firs􏰄 lang􏰂age􏰅 or are learning i􏰄 as a 􏰃second lang􏰂age􏰅􏰆
The current VCE First Language studies are for students who have spent some time as a resident and/or have had Two levels of Language are already being used successfully in VCE Japanese, Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese.
VCE Chinese students have four levels available: First Language, Second Language, Second Language Advanced and
significant experience of studying the language in a country where it is the major language of communication.
Chinese Language, Culture and Society.
Under the changes for other modern languages, First and Second Language students will still follow the same
A student will be considered a Second Language student if they have had no more than seven years of education in
curriculum and sit the same examinations. The changes will simply ensure there is equity in assessment and there
a school where the language is the medium of instruction. This same criterion is currently used for VCE Japanese is no disadvantage for Second Language students.
Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese Second Language studies.
The current VCE First Language studies are for students who have spent some time as a resident and/or have had
significant experience of studying the language in a country where it is the major language of communication.
The changes will be implemented by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and introduced in A student will be considered a Second Language student if they have had no more than seven years of education in
a s2ch0o2ol1wfhoerre theelansgtuuagdeyisothfeVmCedEiumUonfiitns3truactniodn. 4Thilsasnamgeucaritgeeriosn.iTs chuirsrenwtlyilulsaedllforwVCsEtJuapdaneensets coming through in Years 9 and 10 now to
Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese Second Language studies.
make informed choices about selecting language studies in VCE.
The changes will be implemented by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and introduced in 2021 for the study of VCE Unit 3 and 4 languages. This will allow students coming through in Years 9 and 10 now to
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
make informed choices about selecting language studies in VCE.
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Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Jenny Mikakos
uotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Learning a language expands your horizons 􏰇 I want to encourage all Victorian students to take their language
Learning a language expands your horizons 􏰇 I want to encourage all Victorian students to take their language
studies through to their VCE. These changes will make it fairer for all VCE Language students.”
tudies through to their VCE. These changes will make it fairer for all VCE Language students.”
Learning a language connects students to other cultures, opens doors around the world and creates future career
“Learning a language connects students to other cultures, opens doors around the world and creates future career
pportunities.” opportunities.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Jenny Mikakos
“We are blessed with a strong multicultural community here in Victoria and it’s important that how we assess
language skills at VCE reflects that.”
“A fairer system means more Victorian students regardless of their cultural background and existing language skills
“We are blessed with a strong multicultural community here in Victoria and it’s important that how we assess
will be encouraged to study a second language 􏰇 including Greek - at VCE.” language skills at VCE reflects that.”
“A fairer system means more Victorian students regardless of their cultural background and existing language skills will be encouraged to study a second language 􏰇 including Greek - at VCE.”
Media Contact: Matthew Dixon 0438 190 148 | matthew.dixon@minstaff.vic.gov.au
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