Case studies – Beginners

Case study: Gretchen

Gretchen is enquiring whether she is eligible to study Stage 6 German Beginners.

Gretchen's exposure to German

Gretchen's maternal grandparents live in Germany and speak only German. Gretchen's father was born in Australia and his only language is English. Gretchen's mother was born in Germany and has lived in Australia before Gretchen was born. She has always spoken English only with Gretchen and her father.

The family had short holidays in Germany on several occasions, not staying for longer than 2 weeks. This information is stated on Gretchen's languages eligibility application and she has also submitted copies of passports as proof. The school's records and statements from teachers in the languages department indicate that Gretchen is very interested in German culture. This was fostered during the 100-hour study of German at her secondary school in Year 7. Her school did not offer elective Stage 5 German course.

Analysis

• Gretchen studied German at the secondary level for no more than 100 hours. Complies.
• Gretchen has little previous knowledge of the language. Her holiday visits to Germany do not constitute a significant in-country experience. Complies.

Determination

Gretchen's exposure to German complies with both eligibility criteria for [Language] Beginners courses.

Gretchen is eligible to study Stage 6 German Beginners.

Case study: Jarryd

Jarryd is enquiring whether he is eligible to study Stage 6 French Beginners.

Jarryd's exposure to French

Jarryd was born in Australia and his family's first language is English. They do not use French at home to communicate. Jarryd's languages eligibility application, supported by his signed and witnessed statutory declaration states that Jarryd studied French at primary school for approximately 20 minutes a week in Year 1 and then again in Year 3.  His secondary school records and reports also show that he completed the mandatory 100 hours of language for Stage 4 in French.

Analysis

• Jarryd had no more than 100 hours of the study of French at the secondary level (or equivalent). Complies.
• Jarryd had little exposure to French outside the classroom. The short weekly study of French in Year 1 and Year 3 was not part of a continuous, sequential program. Jarryd’s exposure to French was minimal and constitutes little previous knowledge. Complies.

Determination

Jarryd's exposure to French complies with both eligibility criteria for [Language] Beginners courses.

Jarryd is eligible to study Stage 6 French Beginners.

Case study: Marina

Marina is enquiring whether she is eligible to study Stage 6 Spanish Beginners.

Marina's exposure to Spanish

Marina completed a 3-month approved exchange program in Spain in Year 10, as shown in her school records. She lived with a Spanish family and attended the local school, where Spanish was the language of instruction. Reports from her Spanish school state that she made promising progress with Spanish during her stay. Marina had not studied Spanish at school prior to the exchange.

At the end of the exchange, Marina's parents joined her in Spain and the family travelled around the country for 3 weeks to see the sights, communicating with each other only in English. This information is provided on Marina's language eligibility application, supported by her signed and witnessed statutory declaration, and by copies of passports provided by Marina's parents.

Analysis

• Marina has not studied Spanish at secondary level at her Australian school. Complies.
• Marina's exchange program did not exceed the 3 months of in-country experience specified in the criteria. During her holiday with her English-speaking family, she was not attending school and her exposure to Spanish was negligible. Complies.

Determination

Marina's exposure to Spanish complies with both eligibility criteria for [Language] Beginners courses.

Marina is eligible to study Stage 6 Spanish Beginners.

Case study: Chris

Chris is enquiring whether he is eligible to study Stage 6 Modern Greek Beginners.

Chris's exposure to Greek

Chris's maternal grandparents were born in Greece and speak Greek. Chris's mother was born in Australia and speaks only English. English is the only language spoken at home, although Chris hears occasional conversation in Greek between his relatives.

Chris had a 4-week holiday in Greece when he was 6 and attended Greek Community School on Saturdays from Years 3 to 6. Consultation with the community school states that a continuous and sequenced learning program was provided. Chris did not study Greek during Years 7–10.

Chris's languages eligibility application, supported by his signed and witnessed statutory declaration provides the information outlined above. Chris's family also provided copies of his birth certificate and passport, showing the time and duration of his overseas holidays.

Analysis

• Chris has no study of Greek at the secondary level. Complies.
• Chris has attended a Greek Community School on Saturdays over a period of 4 years and followed a sequenced, continuous program of Greek. His study of Greek is equivalent to more than 100 hours in Stage 4. As such, he is not deemed to have "little or no previous knowledge of the language". Does not comply.

Determination

Chris's exposure to Greek does not comply with one criterion for [Language] Beginners courses.

Chris is not eligible to study Stage 6 Modern Greek Beginners.

Case study: Joanne

Joanne is enquiring whether she is eligible to study Stage 6 French Beginners.

Joanne's exposure to French

In Year 7, Joanne's school delivered a 'taster' program of 2 languages. Joanne studied 50 hours of Japanese and 50 hours of French. In Year 8, she studied the 100 hours of mandatory language in French. Joanne had no other exposure to French.

Joanne's languages eligibility application, school records and reports, supported by her signed and witnessed statutory declaration indicate this.

Analysis

• Joanne has studied French at the secondary level for 150 hours, significantly more than the 100 hours specified in the criteria. Does not comply.
• Joanne has had no exposure to French outside the classroom. Complies.

Determination

Joanne's exposure to French does not comply with one criterion for [Language] Beginners courses.

Joanne is not eligible to study Stage 6 French Beginners.

Case study: Alison

Alison is enquiring whether she is eligible to study Stage 6 Indonesian Beginners.

Alison's exposure to Indonesian

Alison's parents provided her birth certificate and early school records to show that Alison was born in Australia and went to an Australian school, where English was the language of instruction until the end of Year 9. She completed 100 hours of Indonesian in Year 8. The family moved to Indonesia for one year, and Alison completed her Year 10 studies at an English international school in Indonesia. She did not study Indonesian as part of the curriculum. Her reports from the school are in English and show this.

During her year in Indonesia, Alison had little exposure to the Indonesian language, as she socialised mainly with friends from her school and the Australian expat community. She only used simple vocabulary and expressions learnt in Year 8 when going to shops, restaurants or cafes. This is stated on Alison's languages eligibility application, supported by her signed and witnessed statutory declaration.

Analysis

• Alison did not study Indonesian at secondary school. Complies.
• Alison lived in Indonesia for one year. Despite living in an expat community where English was the main medium of communication, her exposure to Indonesian during that time cannot be quantified. Does not comply.

Determination

Alison's exposure to Indonesian does not comply with one criterion for [Language] Beginners courses.

Alison is not eligible to study Stage 6 Indonesian Beginners.