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Home - Curriculum and Learning - Specialist Learning - Japanese

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.
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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
• Interacting with realia such as toys, clothing and other artefacts

​Each year, the whole school is involved with Japanese events, such as a Sports Day, Culture Day or various incursions.

​Students in Year 6 have the opportunity to apply for Language Leader roles. Language Leaders help to plan and run events that promote Japanese and other languages. There are also opportunities for Year 6's to participate in interschool hiragana 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.

Making sentences.

Taifu nome Japanese Sports Day

This page was last updated on 21 March 2022. Content enquiries to Webmaster.