The Australian National Curriculum for Languages recognises the importance of providing opportunities for Australian Children to learn Asian languages. At Craigslea State School, Japanese is introduced in Year 4 and taught until the end of Year 6 with the allocated learning time increasing as students move to upper primary.
Student learning activities include speaking and listening to Japanese language along with writing and reading Hiragana script. In Year 4 and Year 5 the focus is on basic vocabulary, greetings, self-introduction and description of familiar contexts such as friends, family and school. In Year 6 students learn more complex sentence patterns and specialised vocabulary linked to the wider world around them. Students also engage in learning experiences which deepen their awareness and knowledge of traditional and modern Japanese culture.