Blackall students learn Japanese through Skype

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Blackall are mastering Japanese through Skype

Rachele Belz is a Japanese teacher from The Cathedral College who is also teaching primary school students in Blackall via Skype. Photo Sharyn O'Neill / The Morning Bulletin. Picture: Sharyn O'Neill ROK120314sskype1

KONICHIWA!

That's just one of many Japanese words that students at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Blackall will have mastered by the end of the term.

The students in Year 5, 6 and 7 are getting the chance to learn a second language, thanks to Rachele Belz.

The Cathedral College Japanese teacher is communicating with the students out west via Skype.

"It's certainly a different way of teaching. I'm used to being in the room with the kids," she said.

Ms Belz, who has been to Japan 11 times, said the students were doing well for their third lesson, but it would take longer to get the message across by using Skype, compared to being face to face.

Learning Japanese is a great opportunity for the students in Blackall, with LOTE teachers rare out west, Ms Belz said.

"By having our background in English, we really take it for granted," she said.

"Learning a different language helps with communication and the ability to connect with people from a different country."

And St Joseph's principal Duane Wann is over the moon that they've been able to provide a Japanese class for their students.

"The students are loving it," Mr Wann said.

"I guess it's very interesting in that they're being taught through Skype, but they use workbooks and the kids love doing something different and enjoy learning about another culture.

"For a lot of kids it will give them grounding and insight when they start doing (language) in high school."  

Originally published as Blackall students learn Japanese through Skype