Planning, programming and assessing languages 7–10
Supporting you in implementing language syllabuses in Years 7 to 10.
Language study in Stages 4 and 5
The study of 100 hours of one language over one continuous 12-month period is mandatory between Years 7–10, but preferably in Years 7–8 (Stage 4).
In Stage 5, students may also elect a language course. Studying a language course in Stage 5 extends students' ability to communicate and strengthen their understanding of the nature of language, culture and the processes of communication.
Students may continue with their chosen language or languages in Stage 6 and/or commence the study of a new language.
As part of curriculum reform, 4 languages syllabuses have been released:
The decision regarding which language/s to offer is made at school level, based on available resources, including access to qualified languages teachers.
Support from the department is rolling out from 2022–2026, commencing with modern languages.
Learn more about each syllabus, including what’s new, whole-school considerations and implementation dates on Syllabus information for school leaders.
Modern Languages K–10 Syllabus (2022)
The department offers a range of generic and language-specific resources to support modern languages teaching in Years 7–10.
Generic support
These guidelines support teachers of modern languages 7–10 to develop programming documents, including scope and sequences, assessment opportunities and units.
Use these posters to support discussions and lesson observations within your faculty.
Transforming classrooms through the Modern Languages K–10 Syllabus poster (PDF 876.6 KB)
Explicit teaching and effective language teaching go hand in hand.
Explicit teaching aligns with how students process, store and retrieve information. Every student should experience explicit teaching when learning is new or complex. This allows students to gain foundational skills and knowledge that they then can apply with greater independence.
This infographic unpacks how our 7–10 support for modern languages aligns with explicit teaching.
Strategies for facilitating interacting activities within the distance education setting, aligned with the Stages 4 and 5 Interacting outcomes in the Modern Languages K–10 Syllabus (2022).
Strategies for ‘Interacting’ in distance education settings 7–10 (DOCX 348 KB)
Language-specific resources
We are developing language-specific support across a range of languages 7–10, to support the Modern Languages K–10 Syllabus.
Classical Languages K–10 Syllabus (2022)
The department offers a range of generic and language-specific resources to support classical languages teaching in Years 7–10.
These guidelines support teachers of classical languages 7–10 to develop programming documents, including scope and sequences, assessment opportunities and units of work.
Programming guidelines for the Classical Languages K–10 Syllabus (DOCX 691 KB)
Language-specific resources
Language-specific support to support the Classical Languages K–10 Syllabus.
Syllabuses
All languages syllabuses are located on NSW Curriculum (NESA)