Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia is one of the cross-curricular priorities of the Australian National Curriculum. The Learning Area, Languages has been developed to give all students the opportunity to engage in learning a language in addition to English. Languages develops students’ ability to think logically, critically and creatively. It provides opportunities for students to inquire, generate, analyse and reflect on a range of information, ideas and perspectives in spoken and written texts.
At Edge Hill State School the language studied is Japanese. Students from Prep to Year 6 participate in the Japanese program. The Foundation to Year 10 sequence is presented in bands of 2-year levels after the Foundation year. Content in Languages, is organised under 2 interrelated strands, Understanding Language and Culture and Communicating Meaning in Language. During Japanese lessons, students are given the opportunity to develop the macro skills of listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing. In addition to this, students also learn about cultural practices in Japan and compare and contrast these with their own culture.
