Victoria Minister for Education Martin Dixon

Final School Exams Start For Students Taking A Second Language

Victor P Taffa

Education Minister Martin Dixon has wished thousands of VCE student’s good luck or “bonne chance” as they begin their final languages exams, starting today.

More than 10,400 students are taking VCE languages oral exams over the next month, while almost 5600 students will complete performance exams in drama, dance and music.

Almost 200 students will tackle more than one VCE language exam this month.

“Today marks the beginning of a very important time for many VCE students who are beginning their final exams.” Mr. Dixon said.

“I’d like to particularly congratulate those who are taking a language exam as studying a second language is not easy, but will be incredibly rewarding for students both now and later in life.”

“The Victorian Coalition Government knows the benefits of becoming multilingual. Many doors open for students, both professionally and personally, when they can speak another language.”

“This is why the government will provide compulsory languages education for every Victorian government student from prep to Year 10, with the first classes beginning in 2015.”

Mr. Dixon said the government had already invested an additional $16.3 Million over the next four years in Community Language Schools as part of its revival of language education.

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Chief Executive John Firth said he was pleased to see so many students taking oral exams in one or more of 42 language studies.

“The VCAA continues to support students wishing to study a diverse range of languages, from Chinese, Italian and French to Yiddish, Bosnian and Khmer.” Mr. Firth said.

“It is also pleasing that Victoria offers the widest range of foreign language studies to senior secondary students in Australia.”

The main VCE written exams will begin with VCE English on Thursday November 3.

Fast facts

• Students doing a VCE language oral exam: 10,428
• Students doing a performance exam: 5596
• VCE language subjects with an oral exam: 42
• Number of assessors marking oral languages exams: 635
• Students doing a Chinese language oral exam: 3104

For more information on the 2011 VCE exams visit: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/media/mediamanual/2011/mediamanual2011.pdf