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Japanese
Year 8 Japanese
The study of Japanese is like a journey to a new place where different stories, songs, sports, games and even food exists. Students start this journey with first encounters and soon learn the conventions and language of greetings, gift giving and early business transactions. Students then learn to read and write Hiragana and before the end of Semester One all reading and writing is done in Japanese script, including computer based Japanese word processing skills. All learning is done with interactive songs, games, cards and colour.
Students learn to take responsibility for recording their own learning as all assignments, tests and activities are kept in a Japanese Portfolio that will accompany them to Year 10.
Over the year, students will learn to speak to Japanese people about themselves, family members, school life and favourite things. Highlights in the Year 8 Japanese course include calligraphy classes, Japanese style lunches and viewing life in Japan through famous ‘anime’ dvd.
Year 9 Japanese
Students of Japanese in Year 9 start by consolidating their knowledge of the language in preparation for a busy year ahead. This is the year where students master the finer points of Hiragana, the script used for reading everyday Japanese. They will also be using the unique ‘Self Access Teaching Packs’ to teach themselves Katakana. All the while, students are developing the language and beginning to make it their own.
Students learn how to write a diary in Japanese, how to get around in Japan and how talk about likes and dislikes. This is the year when students can really start to express themselves. However, it is not strictly language study in Year 9. Tied into the language is the cultural component and we indulge in some traditional Japanese cooking as well as visiting a local Japanese restaurant to compliment what we are studying.
Year 10 Japanese
By the end of Year 10 students of Japanese will have the ability and confidence to communicate in Japanese independently around everyday topics of conversation. They will be given further opportunities to gain insight and appreciation of the Japanese culture and way of life through every aspect of the language learning.
Over the year students expand their language skills to include themes such as popular artists and musicians, fashion trends, festivals and celebrations, leisure activities and their local community. Students, now well versed in Hiragana and Katakana, develop their Kanji writing skills.
Highlights of Year 10 typically include a fashion parade in Japanese, a festival celebration and many short skits around shopping or restaurant outings.
Year 11 and 12 Japanese: Second Language
In Year 11 and 12 Japanese communication is paramount and students will develop the necessary skills to communicate effectively with Japanese speakers. Opportunities are provided to connect with Japanese communities in the vocational and workplace training, tertiary education pathways, sister school exchanges and a Japan Study Tour.
Japanese has been identified as one of the priority languages in our region to be taught in Australian schools as there are close economic and cultural ties between Australia and Japan. With increasing numbers of Australians living and working in Japan and Japanese living and working in Australia, knowledge of the language, culture and conventions of Japanese are becoming increasingly useful in the fields business, banking, international finance, tourism and hospitality, media, education, engineering and mining, science and technology, law and diplomacy. The ability to communicate in Japanese may well provide students with enhanced job choices and opportunities in our increasingly globalised world. |
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