Japanese
The Importance of Japanese as a Mother Tongue
Although our Kindergarten students come from a variety of language and cultural backgrounds, most of our students speak Japanese as a first language. We recognize the importance of promoting the development of the first language in emergent bilingual children—important in it’s own right and also as a foundation for second language acquisition.
Furthermore, when children are learning Japanese at school, they are also learning about Japanese culture, traditions and history.
Classes conducted in Japanese
Unit of Inquiry
Children will explore a single theme in both English and Japanese classes through Units of Inquiry. Connecting what the children are learning in both languages helps to strengthen their understanding of new concepts.
Japanese language classes
In Japanese language classes, children communicate with each other and their teachers in Japanese. Students engage in a variety of learning experiences, including shared reading, nursery rhymes, and children’s songs. In addition, children experience traditional Japanese cultural events such as Setsubun and Tanabata, play traditional children’s games, and make crafts related to the seasons.
Children also work on reading and writing Japanese characters (hiragana, katakana, and simple kanji). Additionally, students write picture diaries and letters to classmates and family.
Children will also learn mathematical concepts and skills that they are learning in English classes.
