Kariong Mountains High School

Unity Knowledge Respect

Telephone02 4340 0246

Emailkariongmtn-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Languages

In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.

Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.

The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8.

In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.

Japanese is the only LOTE (Language Other Than English) taught at Kariong Mountains High School.

Study begins in Year 7 and students can choose to continue through to the end of Year 12. The learning of Japanese enables students to engage more actively in our global community.

Year 7 students at KMHS study Japanese language and culture twice a week. Students going into Year 9 have the opportunity to further their Japanese studies through the elective subject program.

Japanese Learning

Topics studied in year 7 Japanese language & culture:

  • Introducing yourself
  • Anime and Manga
  • Food
  • Sport and Hobbies

Stage 5

Japanese provides students with the opportunity to gain effective skills in communicating in Japanese, both spoken and written, and to develop an understanding of the Japanese culture.

What will students learn about – and learn to do in the study of Japanese?

Students will develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for effective interaction in Japanese. They will explore the nature of languages as systems by making comparisons between English and Japanese. Students will also develop intercultural understandings by reflecting on similarities and differences between their own and Japanese culture.

Students will develop the skills to communicate in Japanese. They will listen and respond to spoken language. They will learn to read and respond to written texts in Japanese. Students will establish and maintain communication in familiar situations using Japanese. Students will explore the diverse ways in which meaning is conveyed by comparing and contrasting features of Japanese.

Senior Studies

Two Japanese courses are offered for students who would like to study it in Year 11 and 12:

  • Japanese Continuers – This course is for those students who continued studying Japanese as an elective in Years 9 and 10.
  • Japanese Beginners – This course is for students who did not continue Japanese in Years 9 and 10.