Resources for Middle School Japanese Students

From http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au

Here are teaching and learning materials for Japanese language students in years 5-8.

Scenarios
The six culturally relevant stories engage students with language used in context and include a number of computer-based activities. Students are presented with small 'in story' tasks, more challenging 'linked activities' and contextually relevant language and cultural information. The Scenarios include: Kasajizo, Ninja to the rescue!, Makeover camp, Big brother swap, Honeymooners and Speed dating.

Language Explorers
The four Explorer resources develop students' awareness of Japanese society and culture. Texts are short and based on familiar vocabulary and structures written in hiragana, simple kanji and katakana with furigana gloss. The resources explore Japanese house, In the neighbourhood, Japanese food and Samurai.

Space voyage games
In these innovative games students play the part of an Australian astronaut visiting a Japanese space station. Students must engage in dialogue with the inhabitants of the space station to solve a range of problems. Students review the available dialogue, then construct correct language (questions and responses) in order to make things happen. The game is predicated on prior learning and students must use conversational language to 'solve problems and save the day'. Games titles include SOS and Computer virus.

Japanese reader
This rich multimedia resource comprises 35 passages, organised into seven broad themes: All about me, World of words, Places, The world around me, Food and health, My world, and Getting around. In addition to student resources, the reader also contains information for the teacher, acknowledgements and a help section.

Teacher resources
All games are accompanied by detailed teacher notes.

Access these resources at http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/teachers/curriculum_resources/languages_cr/japanese/nalsas_japanese.html