Japanese

Students at Blackwood Primary School learn Japanese as an additional language. The aim of language learning is to develop students’ communication skills as well as their open-mindedness, respect, and understanding for others.

The Japanese curriculum covers

• Interacting in Japanese (socialising, informing, creating);
• Translating and interpreting;
• Understanding language systems; and
• Reflecting on the connection between language, culture and identity

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, we follow the Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework, which promotes transdisciplinary learning. Rather than Japanese being seen as a distinctly separate part of students’ learning, the Japanese curriculum ties in with classroom Units of Inquiry as much as possible. Students are also encouraged to make connections between Japanese and their own languages and cultures.

Students learn through a variety of ways, including:

• Songs;
• Interactive games and activities;
• Role plays;
• Thinking routines;
• Hiragana belts; and
• Interacting with realia such as toys, clothing, and other artefacts.

Each year, the whole school takes part in Bluearth Undokai (Bluearth Sports Day), where students participate in a variety of Japanese games.

Other extracurricular opportunities for students to engage with language and culture include the Language Ambassadors program, and interschool competitions and quiz days.

Learning a language provides students with the opportunity to develop communication skills and intercultural understanding, which are essential for participation in an increasingly globalised world.