Nihongo Tanken Centre programs
The Nihongo Tanken Centre offers a range of activities to students, closely aligned with the outcomes of the NSW syllabuses.
Participation in a Nihongo Tanken Centre program offers students full immersion in a total Japanese experience. From the initial welcome to the last goodbye, all communication is in Japanese, with centre staff experienced in communicating effectively with both Japanese and non-Japanese speakers from Kindergarten to Year 12, including students with special learning needs.
Face-to-face excursions
A visit to the Nihongo Tanken Centre is a stimulating and motivating learning experience for both students and teachers. Programs developed by the Nihongo Tanken Centre offer a wide range of activities designed to suit every level of language proficiency, immersing students in the Japanese language and culture.
At the centre:
- students engage in a 4-hour program
- the program is customised to suit each school’s needs
- activities enable students to practise and extend their language skills, working in teams
- students may also engage in interactive tasks using an interactive whiteboard.
For students in Year 10, 2 options are available:
- standard excursion
- 'survival' excursion – a day in Japan.
Standard excursion
This program is suitable for students visiting the centre for the first time. Our staff modifies the content of the day based on students' existing knowledge, giving students opportunities to practise and extend their language skills.
It is suitable for classes with 20-30 students.
Students experience a 'look and feel' of Japan, learn language structures used in a range of situations and use their Japanese skills throughout the day.
Stage 4 – Alignment of activities to syllabus outcomes (DOCX 439 KB)
Stage 5 – Alignment of activities to syllabus outcomes (DOCX 417 KB)
A day in Japan
This program is suitable for students' first or subsequent visit to the centre if they would like to experience something new.
It is suitable for classes with 12-15 students.
Students experience real-life scenarios and challenge themselves in survival situations while interacting with Japanese speakers. Students experience what to expect when they go to Japan, how to deal with new situations and use their critical thinking skills to manage challenges.
Virtual excursion
The Nihongo Tanken Centre offers a virtual excursion that enables Year 10 students from NSW public schools located outside the Sydney metropolitan area to engage with the centre, exploring Japanese language and culture.
The virtual excursion consists of 2 parts:
- part 1 – students virtually explore the Nihongo Tanken Centre through an immersive 360° experience, with activities to complete (approximately 50 minutes)
- part 2 – the Japanese class connects with our teachers for a live, interactive lesson (approximately 30-35 minutes).
You can plan your virtual excursion as a stand-alone activity or as part of a full day of Japanese activities at school.
Students complete part 1 in a normal Japanese lesson. You will need to book a date and time for part 2. There is no cost to schools to participate.
Stage 6 support
The Nihongo Tanken Centre also offers holiday workshops for HSC students from all sectors, and online speaking sessions for Stage 6 students in NSW public schools. These events are advertised via the Languages statewide staffroom and our social media channels, including the Languages NSW blog.