Exploring Authentic Japanese Language and Culture

On Wednesday 3 June, Year 10 and Year 11 students participated in an immersive Japanese language and culture excursion to the Nihon Tanken Centre. The day was designed around the theme of preparing for an exchange to Japan and provided students with valuable opportunities to use Japanese in authentic and practical situations.

Throughout the day, students engaged in a range of interactive activities that reflected real-life experiences they may encounter while travelling or participating in a homestay in Japan. They practised ordering food in Japanese through role-plays, conducted telephone conversations with a host family prior to an exchange visit, and worked collaboratively to plan a trip on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to a famous Japanese destination. Using props and costumes, students brought their scenarios to life, with their performances being filmed as part of the experience.

A group of students and two adults, dressed in dark uniforms, are posing for a photo on the veranda of a wooden building, reflecting authentic Japanese culture. Many are smiling at the camera.

A woman in a blonde wig and apron stands at a table, smiling and holding a menu, while two pupils in dark uniforms explore authentic Japanese culture in a classroom adorned with Japanese posters.

Five students sit around a low wooden table, reading and sorting cards with Japanese writing. They appear to be engaged in an authentic Japanese language learning activity in a traditional Japanese-style room.

A group of people, mostly students, face a man dressed as an airline pilot speaking in front of a backdrop showing a Japanese airport with Mount Fuji and Japanese text, offering an authentic glimpse into Japanese culture. Shelves with souvenirs are on the right-hand side.

Two students sit at a small table facing each other, holding menus. Behind them is a tall board with Japanese text and pictures, reflecting authentic Japanese culture. The room has wooden floors, shelves, and traditional sliding doors.

Six people sit around a wooden table with Japanese learning materials, including photo cards and round paper cut-outs with Japanese characters, as they enjoy an authentic Japanese language experience in a traditional-style room.

A woman and a boy sit at a low table, smiling and holding up illustrated worksheets with Japanese writing, immersed in authentic Japanese culture in a classroom with tatami mats and other pupils in the background.

Three young people sit around a low wooden table, enjoying an authentic game inspired by Japanese culture, where one, blindfolded, tries to place facial features on a cartoon face. Leaflets and small decorative items are also on the table.

Two people sit opposite each other at a small table, each holding a menu. They appear to be in an authentic Japanese-style room with sliding shoji doors and cherry blossom decorations, reflecting the essence of Japanese culture.

Students also explored cultural traditions by creating seasonal greeting cards for spring and participated in a variety of vocabulary-building games that reinforced key language skills in an engaging way. The day also included a traditional Japanese bento lunch and a selection of Japanese snacks (oyatsu), further enriching their understanding of everyday life in Japan.

The excursion provided an excellent opportunity for students to develop their confidence and spontaneity in Japanese while experiencing how language is used in authentic social and cultural contexts.

Thank you Regine Berghofer Director of Languages and Hiroko Yamaguchi High School Japanese Language Teacher for playing an important role in helping students connect their classroom learning with the real-world communication skills.

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