Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

The value of a second language

Increasingly we are engaged in a world that demands more workforce skills than ever before.  Employers are looking for more diversity in their potential employees.  Special skills such as a second language can set you apart from the rest, regardless of the occupation.  Students should consider the fact that employees possessing a second language are often chosen over those who don’t have these skills for tasks requiring divergent thinking, delicate diplomacy, and cultural awareness.  They also demonstrate interest in other cultures and are likely to be tolerant of difference.

Locally speaking, our Japanese speaking graduates have often gained employment swiftly, sometimes on and around the islands of the Whitsundays.  When employers are unsure of which candidate to choose for such jobs, all other factors on their resumes being roughly equal, there is a good chance they will select with the person who has Japanese speaking skills

Many Australians are making a comfortable living and working in Japan.  Opportunities exist to earn sizeable salaries working in areas such as hospitality and teaching English.  The latter requires a completed Bachelor of Arts degree.  Many young people have set themselves up well financially after only a year or two working in Japan.  Japanese will also be of benefit it other careers such as business and finance.

Apart from tourism domestic import/export companies continue to grow and prosper as Japan is still so dependent on countries like Australia for raw materials.  This area also requires a relevant degree for example in business/commerce and the economic rewards sometimes exceed professions such as law and medicine.

Japanese is an Authority-registered subject.  It contributes towards an OP for university entrance.  As mentioned previously, those not tertiary bound can gain an advantage by learning a second language for other purposes such as work in tourism, business and travel.

External Links

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~kanji/kanji0001.html

A site dedicated to Kanji, how to write & read (pen & brush forms too) as well as sound files for how it’s pronounced.

http://www.learnjapanesefree.com

This site is dedicated for English speakers who want to learn Japanese, a complete resource for learning Japanese online for free. Several easy lessons all divided up so you can progress at your own rate.

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/

Kids Web Japan is a website that introduces Japan to schoolchildren aged between 10 and 14 who live in other countries. This site can be used as a supplementary source of information for school lessons on Japan or by families to learn about Japan together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

For complete information about Japan via this online encyclopaedia.


http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html

A free online dictionary in (Romaji only) to translate words from Japanese to English or vice versa.

http://www.realkanji.com

This site lets you practice learning kanji by typing hiragana. More for seniors but it’s easy to use.  Click ‘Kanji’ and choose which kanji words you’d like to practice.
Next, click ‘Practice’.  As you are presented with each word, type its rōmaji equivalent (e.g., ‘genki’).
As you type, hiragana characters will appear.  Hit ‘Enter’ to submit your guess.
If you get stuck, move your mouse over the word, and the answer will appear.
That’s it!

http://www.thejapanesepage.com

Everything you need to know & more, eg Grammar, Hiragana & Katakana, Kanji ,Culture, Lessons, ‘Kotoba Zamurai’, Vocabulary, How to Wow, Discussion Forum, Chat Article, Web Links, Downloads, ’WagaWiki!’, Store

http://iteslj.org/v/j/

Quizzes to Help You Learn and Review Vocabulary