The shaded area indicates a University (ATAR) Pathway.

A Language bonus of 10% of a Language scaled score is added to the aggregate of the best four scaled scores. You receive the Language bonus irrespective of whether your Language course scaled score was counted as one of the best four.

Year 12 Japanese Second Language (ATAR) Units 3 & 4

Eligibility:

In order for students to be eligible to undertake a second Language course, in Year 11, they must meet the enrolment criteria specified by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. Students interested in this course should speak with the Head of Learning Area.

For detailed information on enrolment criteria, please refer to the SCSA website.
WACE Second language courses are aimed at Year 12 students for whom the language is a second language. These students have not been exposed to or interacted in the language outside the language classroom. They have typically learned everything they know about the language and its culture through classroom teaching in an Australian school or similar environment, where English is the language of school instruction. Students have typically studied the language for 200 – 400 hours at the commencement of Year 11. These students may have experienced some short stays or exchanges (less than two years in total) in a country where the language is a medium of communication.

Course Description

The Year 12 syllabus is divided into two units, which are delivered as a pair.
This course aims to further develop students’ ability to communicate in Japanese, both orally and in writing. It expands their ability to read and write some frequently used Japanese characters, and also aims to broaden their knowledge and appreciation of Japan and Japanese culture and history.
The Course integrates linguistic and cultural components by focusing on Young Travellers, and Reflections and Horizons through the contexts of The Individual, The Japanese-speaking Communities and The Changing World. The topics covered will be Travel, Part-time jobs and money, This year and beyond, Youth events and pathways, and Future plans. Students typically engage in a range of activities and are exposed to a variety of simple authentic modes of spoken and written Japanese in order to develop greater confidence and fluency in using the language in different contexts.

Students are invited to participate in a Japanese restaurant experience as part of the course.

Careers/Further Study

Japanese: Second Language is offered at UWA, Curtin, Murdoch, and Edith Cowan Universities. It is also offered at TAFE Colleges. With world travel increasing, it is to one's advantage to master another language. Japan is important in the regional and global economy and employers are attracted to applicants who have a foreign language as an extra skill to offer a company. Those considering a career in Politics, Education, Travel, Translation, Business, Tourism or Hospitality would be wise to continue Japanese into Years 11 and 12.