NOTE: Stage 2 Japanese is offered via two possible courses: Japanese Continuers or Japanese – Integrated Learning

 

JAPANESE CONTINUERS

Length: Full Year (20 credits + 2 Bonus ATAR points)

Recommended background: Satisfactory completion of Stage 1 Japanese Continuers; Japanese Continuers is designed for students who have studied the language for 400-500 hours by the time they have completed Stage 2, or who have an equivalent level of knowledge

Content:

In Stage 2 Japanese Continuers, students are expected to develop and apply linguistic and intercultural knowledge, understanding, and skills to:

• Interact with others in Japanese to share information, ideas, opinions and experiences
• Create texts in Japanese to express information, feelings, ideas and opinions
• Analyse texts in Japanese to interpret meaning, and examine relationships between language, culture and identity, and reflect on the ways in which culture influences communication

There are three prescribed themes and a number of prescribed topics and suggested subtopics covered over the course of Stage 1 and 2:

• The Individual
• The Japanese speaking Communities
• The Changing World

Topics include: Future Plans, Life in Japan, Visiting Japan, Working Life and Current Issues

At least 150 Kanji characters need to be written and recognized by the end of Stage 2.

Assessment:

(SACE) Students’ performance will be determined according to the subject’s Performance Standards as outlined in the Subject Outline. Grades A to E will be used for reporting purposes.

• School based assessment (70%): Folio 50% – Oral Interaction, Text Production, Text Analysis; In-depth Study 20% – Written response, Oral presentation, English Reflection

• External Assessment (30%): Two-hour written Examination and an Oral Examination (approximately 15 minutes)

 

JAPANESE – INTEGRATED LEARNING:

Length: Full Year (20 credits)

Recommended background: Satisfactory completion of Stage 1 Japanese or equivalent experience. Suitable for students interested in practical Japanese communication and cultural learning.

Content:

In Stage 2 Japanese – Integrated Learning, students will strengthen their Japanese language and intercultural skills through inquiry-based and collaborative activities.

Students engage in oral interaction, text production and analysis, and explore the connections between Japanese and Australian communities, including opportunities for involvement with our sister school partnership.

Students will apply, extend, and reflect on capabilities such as literacy, intercultural understanding, and personal/social capability through inquiry-based tasks and real-world applications.

Assessment:

(SACE) Students’ performance is determined according to SACE Performance Standards:

• Practical Inquiry (40%) – 3 tasks where students investigate and respond to questions or challenges using Japanese language, including oral communication and analysis and creation of written or multimodal texts.
• Connections (30%) – An activity that builds links between classroom learning and real-world experiences, often through collaboration, reflection, and community or intercultural projects.
• External Assessment: Personal Endeavour (30%) – An individual project where students explore a capability or area of personal interest related to Japanese language and culture, presented as a report, presentation, or creative work.