Understand that hiragana symbols can be combined to represent words

Understand that vowel length can differentiate words in Japanese, for example, いいえiie for ‘no’ and いえie for ‘house’
(ACLJAU138)

Commence writing their own words, structures and phrases in hiragana with the support of a hiragana chart and word lists

Recognise and write frequently-used kanji

Learn to read and write words using hiragana
(ACLJAU139)

Notice and use context-related vocabulary and apply elements of grammar in simple spoken and written texts to generate language for a range of purposes, including:

• using verbs in past tense
  ～ました/ませんでした
• beginning to use counters in Japanese, for example, ～人、～さい、～月
• indicating time and frequency using expressions such as まいにち、ときどき
• telling time using ～じ/～じはん　です
  なんじ　ですか
• understanding words and expressions indicating direction or means of transportation, for example,
  くるま　で　がっこう　に　いきます

Begin to develop a metalanguage in Japanese for talking about language, using terms similar to those used in English
(ACLJAU140)

Notice differences in familiar texts such as personal, informative and imaginative texts, and explain how particular features of such texts help to achieve their purpose
(ACLJAU141)

Understand and demonstrate how language use varies according to the participants’ age, gender, relationship and the context of use, for example, おはよう/おはようございます；はし/おはし；
なまえ/おなまえ
(ACLJAU142)

Understand that Japanese is a standardised language and that there are different dialects spoken in different regions of Japan

Understand that Japanese borrows from and influences other languages
(ACLJAU143)

Make connections between culture and language use by identifying vocabulary and expressions that reflect different cultural values, traditions or practices
(ACLJAU144)