Description
Learning a second language is an important skill that can improve your brain and memory functions, boost your creativity and self-esteem, improve your intercultural connectedness, help in future career opportunities, as well as increase your understanding of the language you already speak.
Students studying Japanese in Years 9 and 10 expand their understanding of the language and culture. This course offers important sequential preparation for further studies of Japanese at the senior levels. Students will be given additional opportunities to improve their written and oral skills in the language.
Unit Topics
- Milestones
- Language studies and nationalities
- Food in Australia and Japan
- Directions
- Part-time work and spending money
- Careers and aspirations
Skill Development
Students will improve their reading and writing skills of hiragana, katakana and some kanji characters, as well as Japanese speaking and listening skills.
Possible Assessment Tasks
- Presentations and Assignments
- Reading comprehension tasks
- Listening and speaking tasks
Activities/Camps/Excursions
Leongatha Secondary College has a sister school in Toyama, Japan, allowing students studying Japanese opportunities to use the language in ‘real’ situations outside of the classroom. Students studying Japanese in the middle years will have the opportunity to participate in Japanese exchange programs, such as the bi-annual Japanese Study Tour and/or pen-pal programs.
Southbound Exchange – Students from Toyama Daiichi will visit us again in March 2028.
Northbound Exchange – Leongatha students will have the opportunity to experience school life at our sister school and travel to some other major cities on the Japan Tour in September, 2027.
Career Options
Language proficiency opens doors in international trade, diplomacy, translation, education, content creation, technology, arts and entertainment, tourism, and hospitality. These roles leverage language skills and cultural knowledge, offering diverse professional paths. Studying Japanese equips students with the skills to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering a balanced understanding of various social and professional practices worldwide.
Whether or not students use Japanese in their future professions, learning a second language teaches students about the importance of intercultural understanding which is essential for thriving in a diverse and interconnected world.
Year 10