Dalmain Primary School continues to provide students with a broad, well-rounded curriculum to instil students with the values and skills necessary for global citizenship. To this end, the Languages (Japanese) program is integrated into the whole school program through collaboration with classroom and specialist teachers. Whenever possible, lessons are based around authentic cultural content reflected in the continuing use of the Japanese Kendama toy which has proved to be conducive to maintaining engagement with the subject amongst boys in upper primary and is highly motivating to students of all year levels. Cultural events related to the Japanese calendar such as the Doll Festival in March and Boy’s Day in May are highlighted in the junior years. The Year 4 curriculum also offers insight into school life in Japan.

Japanese Language lessons were conducted weekly for 40 minutes in Kindy to Year 6. In the junior classes, the lessons were positively received and well supported by the teachers who have played an active role in creating a positive classroom culture around Language Education. Furthermore, the continued teacher engagement and support of the ELLA program over the past 4 years has noticeably raised Japanese language exposure and knowledge, so it was pleasing to be able to continue to teach the formal aspects of the junior primary curriculum each week.

The reduction of Languages teaching time from 80 minutes per week, to 40  minutes per week in Years 3-6 (introduced in 2021) has presented a challenge with respect to the delivery of the curriculum in that, the Languages curriculum was designed around a nominal teaching time of 2 hours per week. Adjustments were made by prioritizing content and reshaping the curriculum to be more focused and streamlined. Further adjustments will continue to be made next year.

The most significant professional development opportunities were attending regular workshops at the Language Development school, Yaluma PS and  participating in the local Woodvale/Kingsley Language Network. These opportunities facilitated collaboration with a group of highly motivated and like-minded educators who are dedicated to developing innovative curriculum, learning materials, and assessments.