Essential skills, attitudes and values
Essential skills
Language study contributes significantly to the development of the essential skills, as outlined in The New Zealand Curriculum Framework.
The ways in which the individual skills are developed through language study is outlined below.
Communication skills are fundamental in the language classroom, and are reflected specifically in the communication functions and in the strands of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Both verbal and non-verbal communications, in a range of different cultural, social, and linguistic contexts, are recognised as appropriate forms of the language.
Information skills will be developed as students organise and analyse information, interpret different points of view, and distinguish fact from opinion.
Students will have opportunities to enhance their problem-solving skills as they exercise their imagination, initiative, and flexibility through language, making connections and establishing relationships both with their first language and within the new language. Learning a new language provides many opportunities for critical, creative, and logical thinking.
Social and co-operative skills for language development are recognised through the inclusion of peer and group activities in the learning process. Group work and pair work feature in the language classroom as useful ways to encourage students to participate and to develop consideration and respect for others.
Self-management skills and work and study skills are developed through language learning because of the consistent and progressive nature of language acquisition and the need for students to practise and revise their prior learning frequently. Furthermore, the suggested learning activities include tasks which will encourage students to be responsible for their own learning, and the suggested assessment activities provide opportunities for students to monitor their own progress.
Physical skills could also be included in the language programme as students participate in cultural activities, including sports, games, and dance.
Attitudes and values
The attitudes and values of The New Zealand Curriculum Framework will be reflected in the Chinese language classroom.
As part of the school curriculum, the Chinese curriculum will help students to develop and clarify their own values and beliefs, and to respect and be sensitive to the rights of people who may hold values and attitudes which differ from their own. Personal as well as collective attitudes will be explored, which will help individual students to develop positive attitudes towards learning as a life-long process.