VCE Japanese Second Language

UNIT 1

In this unit, students will explore the Japanese language and discover how culture shapes meaning and communication. Through topics like identity, travel, daily life, and pop culture, students will build practical skills to understand and express themselves

in real-life situations. They will listen to music, watch videos, read texts, and have conversations that help them see the world from a new perspective. Whether students are dreaming of travel, curious about anime,

or simply love learning languages, this course will open up new ways to connect with others and better understand themselves as a person. 

UNIT 2

Students will take these skills further by exploring how language and culture interact in more complex and meaningful ways. Through stories, films, and conversations, they will see how tradition and modern life come together in Japanese society, and

how people express their values and experiences. With authentic materials and creative tasks, they will gain confidence using Japanese for real-world communication and deepen their understanding of Japan’s culture, people, and perspectives. 

UNIT 3

Students investigate the way Japanese speakers interpret and express ideas, and negotiate and persuade in Japanese through the study of three or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Each area of study must cover a different subtopic, though teachers may choose to teach more than one subtopic in an area of study. Students interpret information, inform others, and reflect upon and develop persuasive arguments. They access and share useful information on the subtopics through Japanese, and consolidate and extend vocabulary and grammar knowledge and language skills. Students consider the influence of language and culture in shaping meaning and reflect on the practices, products and perspectives of the cultures of Japanese-speaking communities. They reflect on how knowledge of Japanese and Japanese-speaking communities can be applied in a range of contexts and endeavours, such as further study, travel, business or community involvement. 

UNIT 4

Students investigate aspects of culture through the study of eight subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Students build on their knowledge of Japanese-speaking communities, considering cultural perspectives and language and explaining personal observations. Students consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills to investigate the topics through Japanese. Students identify and reflect on cultural products or practices that provide insights into Japanese-speaking communities. Cultural products or practices can be drawn from a diverse range of texts, activities and creations. Students reflect on the ways culture, place and time influence values, attitudes and behaviours. They consider how knowledge of more than one culture can influence the ways individuals relate to each other and function in the world.