1. Year 9 Subject Selection – Japanese

2. Course Description
This course is designed to extend students' knowledge and understanding of Japanese language and culture.
Topics include:
general time, indicating location, describing things,
asking and answering what you do/what you did.
school life; describing things;
seasons; weather;
discussing travel and transport; and places of interest in Japan.
Some Kanji and aspects of Japanese culture, such as geography and famous places are studied.
Some aspects of Japanese culture, such as , calligraphy, music, Festivals and cooking are experienced.

3. Why Study this? Work Tasks Assessment tasks
You, as an Independent and Creative Learner, will develop your understanding of Japan and Japanese through :-
SPEAKING with classmates in Japanese
LISTENING and RESPONDING to real- life scenarios
READING texts for understanding.
WRITING texts used and understood by Japanese people (for example, letters, recipes)
You will be exploring your understanding of Japanese through meaningful, real-life based work tasks and interactions.
Formal assessment tasks include:
Creating a Party Invitation using typical Japanese writing conventions
Making your own Japanese house PPT and describing it.
A Research task on similarities and differences between the Japanese and Australian education Systems
Presenting a Weather Report in Japanese.
Unit tests- listening, grammar, vocabulary and kanji
Informal assessment tasks include:
Your use of cultural body language practices- such as knowing how to start each class in traditional Japanese manner, bowing correctly and pointing at your nose to indicate “I/ me”.

4. How Studying Japanese Benefits you…
Subject pathway….
How Studying Japanese Benefits you…
Bonus Points which contribute to OVERALL VCE ATAR SCORE should you choose to study Japanese at VCE Year 12.
THIS MEANS THAT NO MATTER WHAT COURSE YOU CHOOSE, IF YOU ARE STUDYING A LANGUAGE YOUR VCE ATAR SCORE WILL BE INCREASED!!
Six Good Reasons for Studying Japanese…
It’ll get you a job- studying another culture shows employers you are tolerant of differences and willing to talk with people who are similar and different to yourself!
It’s exciting- Just being able to communicate with people who know a different language from you – it’s a really great feeling
It gets you places- there are many amazing opportunities available for speakers of Japanese- locally, regionally, nationally and overseas.
You’ll meet loads of new people- Speaking with people from different cultures is very enriching. Japanese enables you to do this through pen pals, meeting Japanese exchange students and possibly traveling to Japan.
You can enjoy Japanese culture
You’ll find out more about yourself- learning Japanese helps your other studies, and gives you discipline and adventure.

5. Extra activities/costs?
Opportunity to take part in the Japan Study Trip…held every two years from 2018.
The Trip Involves 2.5 weeks travel throughout Japan, including 1 week Homestay.
You will visit many important tourist places, use your Japanese skills and take part in a variety of traditional Japanese arts and crafts- not least, LIVING in Japan and being a part of this wonderful culture!
Be a HOME STAY HOST for our Japanese Sister School students- use your skills!

6. More information…. Staff contacts Katherine Brown-
My office is in the Languages office (R6)
おはよう　おはよう
こんにちは　こんにちは
さようなら　さようなら