In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.
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.
The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8.
In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.
Languages other than English - LOTE
Language learning is a vibrant experience at Nowra High School. Please explore this short video describing the Senior French Course available at Nowra High
Staff in the LOTE faculty have the expertise to teach French, German and Indonesian.
The head teacher of the LOTE faculty is Ms Yeomans, Head Teacher CAPA.
In 2021 French will be taught in four year cohorts:
Year 7 (Stage 4) – 100 hours compulsory study of one language.
Year 10 (Stage 5) – elective
Year 11 (Stage 6 Preliminary) – French Beginners
Year 12 (Stage 6 HSC) – French Beginners
Independent online language learning using Language Perfect
Language Perfect is a sensational online language learning course which is the brainchild of two young brothers from New Zealand, one of whom devised a system to help himself study French and Japanese in his final year at school.
Nowra High, with assistance from the P&C, has invested in site licences for its language students for the past 5 years. This enables students to use the site in a timetabled fortnightly computer based lesson, as well as being able to access the site anywhere in the world. It has proved to be a great tool for independent language study and preparation, with students being able to access fifteen languages. All language students have fortnightly online homework.
Language Perfect world championships
This is a global competition that NHS participates in every May. The main reward for competitors is that they LEARN as they compete over a 10 day period. Nowra High School has a solid record of success in this competition.
Sister school in France
Lycée Paul Cézanne is our sister school in the south of France.
This relationship was established in 2012 after Mrs Leslie spent 3 weeks studying in Aix-en-Provence as a recipient of an Endeavour Language Fellowship. In 2015 a group of 27 students from the lycée (senior high school) visited Nowra for 2 weeks and were billeted by Nowra High School families. In January 2016 a group of senior French students, accompanied by Mrs Leslie and Mr Morgan, returned the visit and spent 2 weeks attending school and experiencing life in Aix-en-Provence. We welcomed our second contingent from Lycée Paul Cézanne in February 2017 and Nowra High's last visit to France was in January 2018.