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NSW School of Languages

NSW School of Languages

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Japanese

Course overview

View or print a Japanese language brochure (PDF 2192KB)

The stage 5 course (Years 9 and 10) caters for all proficiency levels, including Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Eligibility rules apply for students continuing on to the Stage 6 Continuers or in Context courses.

Stage 5

This course is designed for students who wish to study Japanese in Years 9 and 10 as an elective subject. Students with no knowledge, some prior knowledge or background knowledge of Japanese are eligible to study this course.

The course is delivered online through Canvas and contains a variety of interactive learning activities. There are worksheets and online tasks which students need to submit weekly. Regular weekly speaking lessons delivered on-screen are also an integral part of the course. During these one-on-one lessons, students will develop their speaking skills and have the opportunity to discuss any queries about the course work with their teacher. Face-to-face lesson days each term are organised so that students can meet their classmates and participate in active language learning activities at NSW School of Languages.

100 hour course Japanese

The 100 hour course is for Year 10 students who have not previously studied Japanese. The students will gain an elementary knowledge of Japanese through their work with the course materials on Canvas and on-screen lessons for speaking practice. Face-to-face lessons days are also organised for students to meet and interact with their peers at NSW School of Languages. Students who complete the 100 hour course, remain eligible for the Stage 6 Beginners course, dependant on meeting other criteria and this course is excellent preparation for the Stage 6 Beginners course.
 

Stage 6

Japanese Beginners

The Preliminary and HSC Japanese Beginners courses are designed for students with little or no prior knowledge of the Japanese language. This course aims to develop the fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing while enabling students to deepen their understanding of the Japanese culture. Students work through the module content, activities and quizzes through our online platform, Canvas and engage in weekly speaking lessons with their teacher to develop their speaking skills. Lesson days are offered once a term for our students to get together and consolidate their understanding of certain topics in the course.

Japanese Continuers

The Preliminary and HSC Japanese Continuers' courses are designed for students with 200 hours prior learning in Stage 5. Delivered via the Canvas learning platform, the courses contain a range of different activities such as quizzes where students can develop their skills and receive immediate feedback. Students have weekly on-screen lessons with their teacher to develop their conversational skills and receive additional feedback and support. Study days are held at NSW School of Languages at various times throughout the year.

Japanese in Context

The Preliminary and HSC Japanese in Context courses are online courses with lessons, quizzes and downloadable content. The courses contain a range of different activities such as YouTube videos, listening and reading activities. There are vocabulary and grammar quizzes where students can develop their skills and receive immediate feedback. The Preliminary course consists of 15 units of course work, with 14 units in the HSC course. Students also have weekly on-screen lessons with their teacher to develop their skills and receive additional feedback and support. Study days are held at NSW School of Languages at various times throughout the year.

Japanese Extension

The Japanese Extension course focuses on the movie called "Your Name", or "Kimi no Na wa" in Japanese. (2016 Directed by Makoto Shinkai)

Two teenagers share a profound, magical connection upon discovering they are swapping bodies. But things become even more complicated when the boy and girl decide to meet in person.

The course aims to introduce students to a more advanced level of Japanese language, enabling them to discuss various prescribed issues both in written and oral tasks. (Students are required to watch the movie.)

The course prescribed issues include "Connectedness" "Journeys" and "The impact of the past."

Course materials

The following is a list of learning materials which need to be purchased for the specified course. All prices are approximate.  If a course is not listed, the materials are provided by NSW School of Languages.

HSC courses

Japanese Extension

  • DVD: "Kimi no Na wa" in Japanese with English subtitles (English title is "Your Name")

The DVD is available from:

Dictionaries

All students should have a comprehensive language dictionary. Please consult the Japanese faculty for advice regarding dictionaries.

Syllabuses (from NESA)

Go to the NESA syllabus downloads page for information on the syllabus.