Japanese language in primary education:
The National Curriculum reforms mean that from September 2014, it will be compulsory for primary schools maintained in England to teach a foreign language of their choosing. In response to this, the Japan Foundation are developing a Japanese language education Scheme of Work and supporting materials for primary schools. We are now looking for a London-based primary school that would like to participate in the development of these resources, by working in partnership with us to test our draft Scheme of Work with a class of Year 3 pupils.

The selected partner school will be supplied an expert Japanese language teacher from the Japan Foundation London, who will plan and deliver an entire course of Japanese lessons completely free of charge. Should your school wish to receive further advice and support in continuing the Japanese lessons after the trial period has ended, the Japan Foundation will be more than happy to assist.

This is a very exciting and unique opportunity for the partner school to take an active role in creating a Scheme of Work and supporting resources that will be available to schools nationwide, as well as to develop their own Japanese language programme for their school and to give their pupils the rare chance to learn Japanese language.

Scheme of Work development project: Japanese language education for primary education
Aim: To develop a Scheme of Work (SoW) and supporting materials for KS2 (Year 3) by September 2014. Additionally, to develop teaching methods for Japanese classes incorporating Japanese culture such as anime (Japanese cartoons).

Target Class: We would like to test the draft curriculum with the following two types of model classes:

1. General Japanese Class (Year 3)

• Target: Year 3 pupils


• Period: September 2013 – July 2014 (We can discuss the duration at the end of each school term)


• Time: 45 minutes once a week, for a total of 36 sessions (provisional schedule)


• Content: Japanese class based on the new curriculum


• Instructor: Dr Seiji Fukushima (Chief Japanese Language Advisor at the Japan Foundation London)

2. Short-Term Japanese/Anime Course

• Target: Year 3 pupils


• Period: Approximately one month (as appropriate) between September 2013 – July 2014


• Time: 45 minutes once a week, for a total of 4 sessions


• Content: Japanese language and culture class using anime (Japanese cartoons).


• Instructor: Dr Seiji Fukushima (Chief Japanese Language Advisor at the Japan Foundation London)

The partner primary schools should:

• Be interested in holding a Japanese class and a Japanese club for Year 3 pupils (Preferably held on different days)


• Be willing to permit the Japan Foundation to use its facilities and equipment to be used for the purpose of running a Japanese class and club, including class room, PC, projector etc.


• Be willing to provide an advisor for the instructor. The Japanese class will be run by a Japanese language advisor from the Japan Foundation London, but we would also like a class teacher from the partner school to attend the classes and provide appropriate advice from the point of view of a primary level educator.

Other points:

• Both schools that are currently teaching Japanese, and those not currently teaching Japanese, are welcome to apply


• The Japan Foundation will cover all expenses, including personnel expenses, travel expenses etc. incurred by the Japanese language advisor.


• Priority will be given to schools with particular enthusiasm for introducing language education.


• Priority will be given to maintained primary schools 

If you are interested in getting involved in the project, please contact Josephine Audigier josephine.audigier@jpf.org.uk or 020 7436 6698.