VCE Vietnamese Second Language
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
VCE Vietnamese Second Language is a Victorian Certificate of Education study for students learning Vietnamese as a second language, delivered under the study design published by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The current accreditation period runs for Units 1 and 2 from 2019 and for Units 3 and 4 from 2020, and the study design document itself is marked as updated January 2020. The study is organised into four units. Units 1 and 2 are school-based and typically completed in the first year; Units 3 and 4 are school-based with an external examination at the end, and together they contribute to the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. The course develops listening, speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese, alongside knowledge of Vietnamese-speaking communities and cultures, through the areas of study and outcomes set out in the design. Preparation should be built around the study design itself: work through the areas of study and outcomes, use the advice for teachers and glossary of command terms to understand what each task requires, and practise with the published examination specifications, past examinations and reports so you know the paper's structure and the standard expected. School-based assessment tasks set by your school also count, so keep consistent records and revise each outcome as you finish it rather than leaving everything to the end of the year.
What you'll study
About VCE Vietnamese Second Language preparation
What qualification does this study lead to?
It is a VCE study within the Victorian Certificate of Education, administered by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Successful completion of Units 3 and 4 contributes to your VCE and can count toward tertiary entrance. Check the VCE Administrative Handbook for eligibility rules, since the source directs eligibility questions there.
How is the course structured across the four units?
Units 1 and 2 run first and are assessed by your school. Units 3 and 4 follow, combining school-based assessment with an external examination at the end of the year. The study design sets out the areas of study, outcomes and assessment for all four units.
What does the external examination look like?
The precise structure, sections, time allocation and weighting are set out in the official examination specifications, which VCAA publishes together with past examinations and examiner reports. Read those specifications directly rather than relying on second-hand summaries, because the specifications are the authoritative statement of what the paper contains.
When do the current arrangements take effect?
The accreditation period covers Units 1 and 2 from 2019 and Units 3 and 4 from 2020. The study design file is marked as updated January 2020, and a separate document lists amendments made in January 2020. If you are repeating a unit, confirm which version applies to you.
What is the best order to prepare in?
Start with the study design: read the areas of study and outcomes for each unit and note the command terms using the glossary. Then work through your school's assessment tasks unit by unit. Once the content is familiar, move to the examination specifications and past examinations, and read the accompanying reports to see where students commonly lose marks.
How difficult is it, and what do students most often get wrong?
Difficulty depends on your starting level of Vietnamese, and the source gives no pass rate or grade statistics. The most common avoidable errors are misreading command terms, ignoring the examination specifications, and neglecting the school-based assessment tasks that run alongside exam preparation. Examiner reports identify recurring weaknesses each year.
Can I retake the external examination?
The source does not describe retake or repeat arrangements, so no rule can be stated here. Repeat and special provision matters are handled under the VCE Administrative Handbook and by your school. Ask your VCE coordinator early if you think you may need to repeat a unit or sit the examination again.
Where can I find official support material?
VCAA publishes the study design, a school-based assessment report, examination specifications with past examinations and reports, advice for teachers including performance descriptions and learning activities, a glossary of command terms, and recordings of VCE Languages webinars. These are the materials to build your revision around.