The Japanese: Second Language subject enables all students to communicate proficiently by providing students with essential communication skills in Japanese, an intercultural capability, and an understanding of the role of language and culture in communication.

The study of Japanese aims to foster skills in analysing, comparing and reflecting on language and culture. Students may need encouragement to take risks in learning a new language at this stage in their social development and to consider issues of how the experience influences their first language and culture.

During their studies students will become familiar with the systems of the Japanese language when encountered in simple spoken and written texts. They use features of the Japanese sound system to convey meaning, including pitch, accent, rhythm and intonation, pronounce all the sounds in the kana chart, and become familiar with how sounds are produced and represented in the three different character-based scripts katakana, hiragana and kanji.

In Year 7 students focus on language that helps them to interact with peers and known adults to exchange information about self, family and friends, and interests. In Year 8 they discuss aspects of home, school and social life, compare routines, interests and leisure activities. There is also an opportunity for students to continue studying Japanese in Years 9 and beyond.

Some benefits of learning a language:

• Improves literacy Learning
• Builds confidence
• Helps problem solving
• Helps your brain to cope with complexity, working out patterns and decoding
• Improves memory
• Enhances recall ability through the learning of new vocabulary and structures/rules
• Better career choices
• Provides an appreciation of other cultures and languages
• Improves cognitive skills
• Builds self-esteem

Opportunities that are offered to students:

These are unique cultural opportunities that only Japanese students get to experience.

• Earning calligraphy and entering competitions
• Taiko drumming workshops as part of Japanese Cultural Day
• Interact with exchange students when they visit HPSC
• Excursion to sushi train restaurant
• Kimono dressing  
• Ondo folk dancing
• Flower arrangement design