2024 School Magazine

Japanese

At the beginning of our journey into Japanese studies, students start with the essentials. Year 7s embark on an exciting learning adventure, mastering the scripts and hiragana and confidently introducing themselves in Japanese. But beyond learning the language, elements of the vibrant spirit of Japanese culture—ranging from festive celebrations to the latest trend on Japanese social media—are woven into the curriculum as students progress through their years and delve into more complex sentences, topics, and kanji, gaining a deeper appreciation for the language and culture. By the time students reach Year 10 and their senior years, the Japanese cohort becomes a tight-knit group, where the classes gain more focused sessions. Once students have developed a strong base for their Japanese abilities, they are challenged to explore more complex ideas, such as comparing cultural norms and expressing their future aspirations in Japanese. However, the senior years also bring lovely opportunities outside of the classroom. Senior Japanese students can further their speaking skills during lively lunchtime conversation sessions and are invited to the annual hotpot feast at a Japanese restaurant— a delicious celebration of their hard work! Taking this subject at Brisbane Girls Grammar School has been one of the most rewarding parts of our BGGS experience. We have gained wonderful opportunities and made many unforgettable connections, not only with passionate, like-minded peers, but also with friends across the sea at our sister school in Japan. Anna Mikli (12H) and Eva Nykiel (12R)

076 | BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2024