Year 9 Japanese

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Year 9 Japanese

Subject Description

Japanese is normally studied as a two-semester (full year) elective in Year 9 to ensure that language skills are appropriately developed for those students wishing to study Japanese in senior; however, students may negotiate with the Head of Curriculum to take a single semester. This course comprises four units, each focussing on a distinct aspect of Japanese culture and language. In Unit 1 and 2, students prepare itineraries, work out how to get around and get their finances in order for a tour of Japan. Students develop their Japanese vocabulary in Japanese to allow them to discuss financial transactions and make travel arrangements. They explore how teenagers in Japan spend their leisure time and compare this to their own experiences here in Australia, noting the cultural differences and similarities. Understanding how relationships with family, friends and the community are guided by customs will make students more culturally sensitive and aware travellers.

In the second half of the course, students consider the environmental challenges facing Japan. As a small but highly populated nation of nearly 7,000 islands, Japan faces many environmental challenges, including climate change, waste management and diminishing natural resources. Students develop a vocabulary in Japanese that allows them to discuss the causes of these issues and to consider potential solutions. Working in teams, students use their Japanese language skills to develop an awareness campaign and compose children’s stories and promotional posters, blogs and videos aimed at educating people about the risks to the natural environment and potential consequences for the people of Japan.

Concept

Career Highlights and City Skylights & Clean and Green Futures

Structure

Unit 1: Taisetsu na Nihongo - Survival Japanese (What I Need to Know)

Japanese festivals
Seasons, weather and natural disasters
Forms of transport in Japan
Accommodations available to travellers
Japanese currency
Culturally significant places in Japan
Purchasing tickets for transport

Unit 2: Soko ni tsuitara dō suru ka (What to Do Once You Get There.)

Ordering food at restaurants in Japan
Tourist activities
Favourite activities of youth in Japan
Activities and technologies available in Japan
Homestay etiquette in Japan
Culturally significant times to visit
Events to celebrate the changing seasons in Japan

Unit 3: Mottainai! Kankyoo o mamorimashoo (How wasteful! Let’s Protect Our Environment)

Environmental problems and solutions, including pollution, endangered species, climate change and energy sustainability
Vocabulary about the environment and biodiversity
Citizens’ responsibilities to the planet
Create a video identifying an issue common to Australia and Japan and offer possible solutions.

Unit 4: Let’s Get Our Message Out There!

Students create a story book or a series of promotional items that promote the need to care for our planet. Students will learn:

Storytelling and positive language
Visual and written prompts for stories and presentations
Introduction of katakana and some kanji
Language to express emotions, actions, reactions, reasons, direct and indirect quoting and opinions

Assessment

Communicating and understanding through the four skills of the language, speaking, listening, writing and reading, are assessed through a variety of instruments throughout the semester, with no more than two skills in any one term.