Essential skills and processes

These are the essential skills and processes in languages that learners need to address in order to make progress.

Developing language-learning strategies

Learners should be able to:

•identify patterns in Mandarin

•develop techniques for memorising words, phrases and spellings

•use their knowledge of English or another language when learning Mandarin

•use previous knowledge, context and other clues to work out the meaning of what they hear or read

•use reference materials such as dictionaries appropriately and effectively.

Developing language skills

Learners should be able to:

•listen for gist or detail

•skim and scan written texts for the main points or details

•respond appropriately to spoken and written language

•use correct pronunciation and intonation

•ask and answer questions

•initiate and sustain conversations

•write clearly and coherently, including an appropriate level of detail

•redraft their writing to improve accuracy and quality

•reuse language that they have heard or read in their own speaking

•and writing

•adapt language they already know in new contexts for different purposes

•deal with unfamiliar language, unexpected responses and unpredictable situations.