The Nihongo Tanken Centre provides a stimulating and authentic Japanese environment where students can use and further develop their Japanese language skills. The name Nihongo Tanken means exploring Japanese in the sense of an adventurous expedition into Japanese language and culture, seeking a deeper understanding of the Japanese language in context. The Centre is a Japanese-style building and garden with the 'look and feel' of Japan. 

Students were immersed in Japanese language and culture through engaging learning programs, based on the work covered so far in their normal Japanese class. Students conversed about themselves and each other with members of the Tanken Centre team. The students were divided into four teams named after the four seasons and competed for the honour of being the top team of the day. Games included Pictionary, Guess Who, Interview and a final super quiz.

Lunch was a freshly made bento box with rice, chicken, tempura, egg and a small sushi roll, eaten in the beautiful gardens of the Tanken Centre, complete with a white pebble shinto garden. The students' skills in the Katakana writing system were put to the test, as was their dexterity when the day ended with a kendama (a traditional Japanese skill toy) play off. 

Mrs Fiona Byrne
Languages Coordinator