Japanese

Learning a second language has many benefits such as increased learning outcomes across all curriculum areas including literacy in the first language. Language learning provides opportunities for students to make connections between themselves and others and develops an appreciation for all cultures.

To support our secondary feeder school’s Asian language programs, our students study Japanese led by a Specialist Japanese teacher. Previously, we offered Italian up until 2017 and phased in Japanese in 2018, in order to link with other feeder primary schools and to the Asian studies program at Willunga High School.

Experiences provide opportunities to speak, listen to and write the language as well as immersion in the culture of one of our nearest neighbours.

Typically, when learning a language, students will be:

• Participating in routines, interactions and learning activities with instructions provided bilingually. These will involve listening, responding and initiating conversations as appropriate to year level abilities
• Learning new words and using familiar vocabulary to make simple statements and ask simple questions whilst understanding cultural implications
• Communicating in familiar interactions and situations such as participating in performances and play
• Exploring the relationship between culture and ways of communicating

This is an engaging and fun learning program, utilising multimodal resources and including an opportunity to communicate with Japanese students via Zoom calls with our sister school, Sinden Elementary School, in Japan.

To immerse our students in cultural experiences an annual whole school Japanese Culture day is held to support student learning and engagement.