It is pleasing to see that we have had a successful start to Term 3 and that students have quickly returned to learning in their classrooms. I am particularly pleased to have LOTE (Languages Other Than English), in the form of Japanese, back on the curriculum.

LOTE is an important part of the Australian Curriculum. Learning another language fosters students' ability to think and reflect about the workings of language, and to develop mental flexibility and problem solving-strategies. Language and intercultural skills allow ready global communication.

Learning a language is the best introduction to another culture. It is a particularly powerful tool in the modern world where traditional boundaries, both cultural and geographic, are being diminished by new modes of communication.

Knowledge of another language may also lead to greater employment opportunities in the areas of banking, business, education, finance, hospitality, retail and tourism.

At St Joseph’s School, we have introduced Japanese as our LOTE language. Currently, Year 4-6 are studying the language with Ms Kendall and Japanese will be part of the Year 7 curriculum in 2021.

Japanese is the most popular language studied across Australian schools and is a language well suited to children.

Learning the Japanese language gives people access to the unique history, religions and cultural traditions of Japan. Further, while it has retained numerous aspects of its traditional heritage, Japan is a truly modern culture. Popular Japanese music, culture, clothing design, and the lifestyle of the younger generation are all indicative of a modern, highly technological and affluent society. Japanese art, architecture and literature also reveal a society that has moved fully into the twenty-first century while retaining the flavour of its rich cultural heritage.

Australia’s many links with Japan and Japanese culture are reflected in our society. Australia and Japan share many 'sister' relationships; these include sister schools, sister cities, sister radio stations, sister cultural centres and special university relationships. The Japanese snowfields are becoming a very popular tourist and work destination for young Australians. Many Japanese cultural traditions such as sumo, sushi, origami and bonsai have become household words in Australia. Thousands of Australians also practise or take an interest in Japanese sports such as karate, kendo, aikido and judo which have helped to bring about an understanding of Japanese words such as sensei, and customs such as bowing. Japan is also one of Australia's main trading partners.

The popularity and knowledge of the Japanese modern culture, the connections between Australian and Japan, and the fact that pronunciation of Japanese is easy because it is a phonetic language, makes Japanese a language that students will more readily engage with, and is a language students are more likely to take through to their Senior schooling

We hope that our students gain some valuable learning in their LOTE lessons.

God Bless