Japanese

Website reviews for Japanese

Embassy of Japan in Australia
The Japan Forum (TJP)
The virtual museum of Japanese arts
Wa-pedia: Japanese culture, history & religion
Web Japan: gateway for all Japanese information

Embassy of Japan in Australia
A guide to contemporary Japan, this site includes information about travel, Japan-Australia relations, educational resources, and news and current events. Students will find useful information related to Japanese people and their way of life. In addition, the website provides details to help those considering further study and careers using Japanese language skills. The site is uncluttered and easy to navigate, with up-to-date information. It is a useful resource with a number of featured links including Historical issues, Foreign Policy Q&A, Trends in Japan, and the Japan echo web. A. Iredale
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: HSIE; Languages
SYLLABUS: Japanese K–10; Japanese Beginners Stage 6; Japanese Continuers Stage 6; Modern History Stage 6; Society & Culture Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Japan – Politics and government – 21st century; Japan – Economic conditions – 21st century; Japan – Social conditions – 21st century; Japan – Social life and customs – 21st century
PUBLISHER: Embassy of Japan in Canberra, ACT
REVIEW DATE: 15/04/2011 [952]
*1485134* SCIS 1485134

The Japan Forum (TJF )
In Japanese and English, this site was developed to assist secondary school teachers of Japanese, promoting mutual understanding among elementary and secondary students the world over. The main contribution is a Japanese language education newsletter, published quarterly as an e-book in English and Japanese, which can be viewed in PDF file format. Sample lessons and articles are accessible from the home page and include headlines such as: The meaning of fashion; Japanese culture and daily life; Japanese fast food part 3: Kaitenzushi; and The lives of Japanese high school students. The latter has its own web site and kit, which is available from the DET Japanese Language Consultant. S. Hauth
USER LEVEL: Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: Japanese K–10; Japanese Stage 6: Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: Japanese language – Study and teaching
PUBLISHER: Japan Forum, Japan
REVIEW DATE: 28/02/12 [495.6] SCIS 1166682

The virtual museum of Japanese arts
Experience a range of Japanese art forms on this site. Information is presented through written text, photographs or reproductions, and videos. The format is simple, straightforward and user friendly. The site map provides a useful overview of the contents and access to material through broad links such as Fine arts, Performing arts, and Martial arts. Two external links to MOFA and Web Japan take users to excellent additional information. The website provides a valuable starting point to define cultural elements of the Japanese way of life. It would be useful for Japanese language students, and Visual Arts students studying the impact of cultural practices. Other includes information about Tanka and Haiku. A. Iredale
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: CA; English; Languages
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; Japanese K–10; Japanese Beginners Stage 6; Visual Arts 7–10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Arts, Japanese
PUBLISHER: Kodansha International, Japan
REVIEW DATE: 15/04/2011 [709.52]
*1485784* SCIS 1485784

Wa-pedia: Japanese culture, history & religion
The Wa (和) in Wa-pedia means Japan or Japanese. This link is part of an extensive website about all things Japanese. Students will find the cultural information a useful supplement for topics covered in the HSC courses. The site is easy to navigate with internal links to topics such as food, history, festivals, religion, and current social and political issues. There is an excessive amount of advertising on the site and this may become distracting. Links to external sites direct users to articles on related topics. History students can obtain facts and articles on Japanese history and Society and Culture students may be assisted with research for Personal Interests Projects and cross cultural comparisons. The Japanese culture glossary is a useful tool for quick searches. A forum has been included in the website for discussion of matters like cultural difference, travel, relations between Japan and other countries and this may interest some students. A. Iredale
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: HSIE; Languages
SYLLABUS: Japanese Beginners Stage 6; Japanese Continuers Stage 6; Modern History Stage 6; Society & Culture Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Japan – History; Japan – Social life and customs; Japan – Religions
PUBLISHER: Wa-pedia.com, Japan
REVIEW DATE: 15/04/2011 [952]
*1485764* SCIS 1485764

Web Japan: gateway for all Japanese information
A variety of reliable information on Japan, including culture, history, society, industry, economy, geography, religion, sport, science and technology can be found on this site. Facts about, and trends in Japan, including pop culture and street style, are detailed with colourful images complementing the easy to read text. Free subscriptions for online magazines are available. The site is easy to navigate with a variety of strategies to undertake searches using title, category or keyword. Younger students should access Kids web Japan as it contains simpler language and format. A wonderful resource for studying Japanese society and cultural diversity, this wide ranging site supports both CUS1.3 and CUS1.4 in HSIE K–6 and has relevance for the study of Japan within Society and Culture Stage 6. The language can be changed from English to Japanese, which would be useful for students of Japanese K–10 and Japanese Stage 6. A. Frost
USER LEVEL: Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: HSIE; Languages
SYLLABUS: HSIE K–6; Japanese K–10; Japanese Stage 6: Beginners; Society & Culture Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Japan
PUBLISHER: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
REVIEW DATE: 28/02/12 [952] SCIS 1298514

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Note
The views expressed by reviewers are not necessarily those of the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Copyright for reviews is held by the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Permission for reproduction of reviews in part or full for any purpose must be sought in writing. For further information contact colleen.foley@det.nsw.edu.au