A message for Students, Parents & Caregivers
Over the years many parents have commented that they want to assist their child with foreign language learning, but they feel they are unable to do so. With Maths or English, for example, they feel confident and can sit down with their child. But with Japanese? The words and sounds are new, the writing is different and, well, they don't know any Japanese. How could they possibly be of any help?
This is why I have made this website. The purpose of this site is to give you an opportunity to work with your child in Japanese. It is to give you some tools and support so that you can join your child and see and hear what is happening in class. I will provide the materials we are using in class, so that you can communicate with your child about their Japanese and feel empowered even if you do not know exactly what is being said. The website will build over time as new materials are introduced.
The philosophy behind this site is that language learning requires review in frequent, short doses. In other words, learning Japanese for 50 minutes just once a week makes it very difficult for students to remember, let alone practice, what they have learnt. By making all the materials available students can review and extend their knowledge outside of the classroom. Hopefully it will also be fun. This is important as it reinforces the acquisition vs. learning theory. Children acquire language in the first instance and the learning only really begins when spelling or grammar is introduced. Daily reinforcement supports the acquisition, such as with the first language.
Something else I am 100% committed to is maintaining a sustainable classroom. I love trees so my goal is to make the class paper-free. We will sing songs, watch videos and learn language without handouts (as much as possible). When it comes time to write we will try to use whiteboards or laminated re-usable sheets (though avoiding paper altogether will be difficult). This will reduce printing and paper usage in class and make trees much happier!
Disclaimer: Some YouTube links end with a screenshot of other related YouTube links. Please ensure your child stays on the intended links only so that no inappropriate material is inadvertently accessed.
This is why I have made this website. The purpose of this site is to give you an opportunity to work with your child in Japanese. It is to give you some tools and support so that you can join your child and see and hear what is happening in class. I will provide the materials we are using in class, so that you can communicate with your child about their Japanese and feel empowered even if you do not know exactly what is being said. The website will build over time as new materials are introduced.
The philosophy behind this site is that language learning requires review in frequent, short doses. In other words, learning Japanese for 50 minutes just once a week makes it very difficult for students to remember, let alone practice, what they have learnt. By making all the materials available students can review and extend their knowledge outside of the classroom. Hopefully it will also be fun. This is important as it reinforces the acquisition vs. learning theory. Children acquire language in the first instance and the learning only really begins when spelling or grammar is introduced. Daily reinforcement supports the acquisition, such as with the first language.
Something else I am 100% committed to is maintaining a sustainable classroom. I love trees so my goal is to make the class paper-free. We will sing songs, watch videos and learn language without handouts (as much as possible). When it comes time to write we will try to use whiteboards or laminated re-usable sheets (though avoiding paper altogether will be difficult). This will reduce printing and paper usage in class and make trees much happier!
Disclaimer: Some YouTube links end with a screenshot of other related YouTube links. Please ensure your child stays on the intended links only so that no inappropriate material is inadvertently accessed.
How to use this site
The Japanese Program is based on the Australian Curriculum and includes the elements prescribed by ACARA. On this site each class has a dedicated page containing videos and materials appropriate to that level. These materials have been introduced and used in class. As new materials are introduced they too will appear on the site. The aim is for students to have access to spoken Japanese at home, and to be able to review this, either alone or with a parent. Students should be able to advise parents on the meaning and purpose.
The Useful Expressions button links to a list of expressions that will grow over time. Regular review will teach common phrases which increase fluency and confidence. |
Ways to enjoy Japanese with your child
Join your child and study Japanese together. The pace may be a little slow, but that makes it easier! This allows you to model language learning to your child. Key Points of this are:
1. Frequent review of only a minute or two rather than sitting down to 'study'. 2. Use your captive audience opportunities. e.g. in the car, at the dinner table or whilst waiting for the pizza to be ready. 3. Hang up words around the home. e.g. on the back of the toilet door. 4. Make a card game such as memory to play with vocabulary items or the hiragana characters. 5. Using this site together to listen to songs. |
Review and fluency
It is sometimes misunderstood what language learners are expected to 'know'. We learn in a variety of ways, and this knowledge can be applied in a variety of ways. There are several stages of language learning and each is a learning achievement. Here are some examples: 1. Visual Recognition: Seeing the Japanese word and knowing the English (perhaps with some hints). 2. Aural Recognition: Seeing or hearing the Japanese word and knowing the English (without hints) 3. Knowing the Japanese word when seeing an English word or picture prompt. There may be a choice of answers such as in multiple choice. 4. Students freely find the Japanese word or expression. They are translating from English to Japanese. 5. Responding to Japanese prompts in Japanese. This models Q+A and is the goal of conversational Japanese. 6. Fluency with correct pronunciation. |
Note: I will try to credit any resources that come from an external source. Teachers in the Japanese teaching profession share their materials freely, for which we can be very grateful. Please let me know if I have inadvertently missed giving credit somewhere.