Developing a program
The
VCE Classical Hebrew Study Design outlines the nature and sequence of learning and teaching necessary for students to demonstrate achievement of the outcomes for a unit. The areas of study describe the specific knowledge and skills required to demonstrate a specific outcome. Teachers are required to develop a program for their students that meet the requirements of the study design including: areas of study, outcome statements, key knowledge and key skills. Using the study design and this advice should enable a teacher to develop the appropriate learning activities that will enable students to develop their knowledge and skills and demonstrate performance on the outcome.
It is important to note that students in Victoria will sit the final examination for this subject as set by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) and at the same time as students in New South Wales.
Texts and commentaries are prescribed for Units 3 and 4 and the final examination draws excerpts from these texts as well as unseen texts from the Early Prophets. The prescribed texts always include chapters from
Chumash,
Navi and
Ketuvim for Unit 3, and chapters of
Mishna for Unit 4. The
NESA website contains the most up-to-date reference for prescribed texts.
For Units 1 and 2, teachers can prescribe texts of their choice. While any Hebrew version of the text can be used, it is highly advisable to use the same prescribed translation and commentaries as required for Units 3 and 4. See the
VCE Classical Hebrew Study Design for these details. It can also be helpful to choose some extracts from the prescribed texts of previous years while being careful not to use texts that will be prescribed for these same students in Units 3 and 4. This will enable access to a number of suitable questions for practice and learning activities.
Teachers, for example, may use a chapter or two of
Chumash as the text for Unit 1 and either a chapter or specific extracts of chapters from
Mishna for Unit 2.
The knowledge and skills required in Unit 1 are foundational for success in Unit 3 and the knowledge and skills required in Unit 2 are foundational for success in Unit 4. While it is highly advisable for students to complete Units 1 and 2 before studying Units 3 and 4, this is not a prerequisite. It is possible for students with past experience in the study of
Tanach in Classical Hebrew and with at least foundational knowledge of Modern Hebrew to study Units 3 and 4 alone. In these cases, the teacher will need to ensure that there are no gaps in the knowledge and skills required, particularly in the areas of grammar and vocalisation rules, and information concerning the background of Mishna and the development of the Oral Torah.
It is recommended that all students have regular practice in applying their knowledge and skills to reading, comprehending and identifying grammatical items in unseen texts as well as the set texts.
Students are always expected to respond to questions in English and to use the English terms for grammatical items. The only exceptions to this are the names of the
binyanim that are written in transliterated form, or when a specific word from the text is expected as an answer. Examples of this could be when students are asked to identify a word in construct state, or a construct chain, or to identify the application of specific rules of vocalisation. In these sorts of responses, the word or words from the text are written in Hebrew.
All units require students to be able to respond with both short and extended responses. It is important to include these varying types of questions in learning activities and assessments. While details in the texts are very important, it is also crucial for the student to be able to see the content in context and to extrapolate key messages and historical references. Students need practice in writing extended responses on particular themes while effectively quoting the text as supporting evidence.
Assessments for Units 1 and 2 are devised by the teacher and should reflect the outcomes and key knowledge and skills in each area of study. Suitable tasks for assessments are listed at the end of each unit in the
VCE Classical Hebrew Study Design.
Assessments for Units 3 and 4 are prescribed and the contribution that each task makes to the total School-assessed Coursework is also stipulated.