LEVEL 1 JAPANESE – L1JPN

Learning Area: Languages

Qualification: NCEA Level 1

Ko tōu reo, ko tōku reo, te tuakiri tangata. Tīhei uriuri, tīhei nakonako.

Your language and my language are expressions of identity. May our descendants live on and our hopes be fulfilled.

Languages play a key role in developing personal, community, national, and global identities. With Aotearoa becoming increasingly multicultural, the relevance of learning a foreign language is continuing to rise. In 2023, Japan was our 4th largest trading partner, with over $2.33 Billion in exports, and $3 Billion in imports.

Through Japanese, students understand how their identity, values, and cultures are shaped by their environment. As they develop interpersonal and intercultural skills, students can simultaneously reflect on their own turangawaewae, and explore their own culture from a new perspective.

Additionally, learning a new language uses similar problem solving and pattern recognition skills to Mathematics. There is growing evidence to support that students who learn an additional language will see this payoff in many subjects, but particularly in Mathematics.

Course Components:

Topics covered in this class will be focused around the learners’ immediate world. These can include but are not limited to:

• Whakawhanaungatanga - Relationship building and establishing connections

• Hauora - Health and wellbeing, food, daily routine

• Manaakitanga - showing respect and care, school life and events

Internal Credits: 10 Level 1 Japanese credits available.

• Communicate in Japanese (5 Credits)

• Interact in Japanese (5 Credits)

External Credits: 10 Level 1 Japanese credits available

• Reading (5 Credits)

• Listening (5 Credits)

Entry Recommendations: Year 10 Japanese, or Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5, or upon interview with the Teacher in Charge.