This page explains getting started with your study at Victorian School of Languages.
Begin by watching a video on how your course works
If you are studying French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Latin or Spanish watch this short video on using the VSL Online course page:
If you are studying Arabic, Chinese, Greek or Japanese watch this short video on using the VSL Online course page:
Your Teacher
At the beginning of Term 1, your teacher will contact you directly to introduce her/himself and explain in more detail the course requirements.
NOTE: Your teacher may change early in Term 1 when enrolments are finalised.
Printed material
A package of printed material will be posted to your home address at the begining of each term: This contains:
Coursebook
The printed Coursebook is the primary document for your study. Divided into weekly Worksets, it includes teaching notes and explanations, reading texts and activities.
Printed copy of Work for Submission weekly worksheets
If you are studying Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Classical Greek, Japanese, Punjabi or Vietnamese all work for submission is handwritten. You will receive a printed copy of all weekly worksheets.
You can also download these documents as PDFs from the Resource Library in your VSL Online Course page (details below).
When will I receive my printed Coursebook?
If you enrolled was confirmed before the end of 2022 you should recieve your printed Coursebook by the start of term 1.
If you enrol at the start of 2023 please allow 5 - 10 days after confirmation for the books to arrive.
NOTE: Until the printed copy of the Coursebook arrives you can download a PDF of these file from the Resource Library in your VSL Online Course page (details below).
Passwords cannot be retreived, only reset using the link above
For other enrolment queries contact VSL Enrolment Officer on 03 9474 0532 or sibelb@vsl.vic.edu.au
Listening tracks
Many Worksets have Listening tracks. These can be played:
In your VSL course page
Go to the Listening Tracks tab in each Workset. It has a player for each track in this Workset.
On your phone/tablet
Play the Listening Tracks on your phone or tablet by opening the QR link on the cover of each Workset.
Submitting your weekly Work for Submission:
Details on how to complete and submit your weekly Work For Submission are included on the coversheet of each Workset. They are summarised here:
Type your answers:
Download and save the Work For Submission MS Word from the VSL Online course page
Type and save your answers.
Go to the Submission page and upload the finished file.
Handwrite your answers:
Download and print the Work For Submission PDF from the VSL course app *
Handwrite your answers. When complete: Scan and upload: Make a good quality scan of all pages and save as a single PDF. Go to the Submission page and upload the scanned file
* If you are studying Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Classical Greek, Japanese, Punjabi or Vietnamese you will receive a printed copy of all Work for Submission so will not need to print these yourself.
Speak to your teacher if you have any issues with uploading your completed Work For Submbmission files.
MS Teams
At the VSL we use MS Teams as a classroom space. Your teacher will post useful information there, you may also do group work with other students and take part in group webinars.
NOTE: You teacher will send you the necessary details about Teams.
Contact your teacher at the beginning of the school year to organise a regular time for your Oral Lesson
Seminars/Webinars
For VCE courses, several face-to-face seminars or online webinars are conducted through the year. These are a great opportunity to:
Meet your teachers and fellow Distance Education students
Learn about the requirements of a VCE Languages course and get advice as to how to achieve the best results. Practise for Assessment Tasks, take part in grammar and conversation workshops.
Seminar/Webinar details will be made available at the start of term.
VCE School-Assessed Tasks
As with all VCE subjects, formal assessment tasks must be completed under supervision at your school.
Materials for your assessment will be sent to your VSL supervisor at your home school.
The VSL provides the following support for parents/carers:
Student progress page: Early in Term 1, parents/carers will be emailed login details to the View Student Progress page. This page provides an overview of each student�s progress in weekly written / spoken work and VCE assessments where applicable.
Parent/carer information evenings: Held online in the first few weeks of Term 1, these sessions give parents/carers the opportunity to meet teachers who will give an overview of studying with the VSL. Teachers will contact parents with details early in Term 1.
Parent/carer teacher interviews: Conducted online twice a year: Late March and August.