In NSW high schools, Languages is a key learning area, mandatory in Years 7 and 8.
Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
At Blakehurst High School, all students study a languages in Year 7,and in Year 8 they choose another language to study. The school offers five languages: Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese and Modern Greek.
Students have the option to continue the study of languages in both Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) and as Continuers and Beginners courses in Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12). Additional extension courses are offered in Year 12 for students studying Chinese, French, Japanese, Italian and Modern Greek. Students' study of these languages is enriched by excursions, internal and external competitions and language-specific and whole school events such as the Lunar New Year, Languages Camp, Languages Day, Japanese and French Film Festivals.