Japanese Language
Immersion Programme (JLIP)

AugustChildren adjust to the JLIP classroom routine, focussing on teamwork and individual jobs
such as chores and leadership roles. They take pride in their jobs, and by the end of theyear they are confident and skilled helpers (Otetsudai san)!
In August we study the theme ‘Me & My Family’ and have great fun getting to know about
each other!

September
We celebrate 'Respect for the Elderly Day' (Keiro no Hi), making presents for
grandparents and venturing to the post office to send them off.
We visit the local retirement home for a shared story time.
The 'Full Moon Viewing Festival' (Otsukimi) brings fun and tasty traditional treats as well!

敬老の日お月見October
In recognition of the fall harvest, we simulate potato digging (Oimohori) in the classroom.
We take a trip to the local vegetable market (yaoya-san) to see yummy potatoes and otherveggies and fruit.
We learn about the art of flower arranging (ikebana), with each child choosing their own
flowers at the market to use in their creations.

八百屋り
お芋掘生
け花November
七五三One of the biggest highlights of the JLIP year is the '7-5-3 Festival' (Shichi-Go-San).
We celebrate the children's wellness and happiness together in the beautiful autumn colours at Meiji shrine.
We even ride on a pony and enjoy a picnic afterwards!

DecemberThis short month is dedicated to the enjoyment of wintery fun! We bundle up and go out tothe local park (building snowmen when the weather permits) and cook up tasty seasonaltreats in the classroom. We create New Year's greeting cards (nengajyou) and send themoff to our loved ones.

年賀状

January
JLIPers enjoy an array of traditional New Year's games and learn about thelegends of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals (Jyunishi). We have a New Year's
calligraphy lesson (Kakizome).

十二支書
き初め

リサイク
ル賀正

February
A lesson on Japanese mythical creatures like Kappa, Kaminari chan, and Tengu ushers
in the children's all-time-favourite festival, Setsubun. We take a trip to buy roasted
soybeans and return to school to throw them at the Oni (Japanese ogre).
During the festivities we invite good luck in and drive bad luck out! We also get to createa tasty sushi roll (ehou maki), eaten on the day of Setsubun, marking the division betweenseasons.

節分恵方巻きMarchひな祭り

Spring brings so much happiness to JLIP and it’s time for another benchmark date in the Japanesecalendar, 'Girl's Day' (Hinamatsuri). JLIP boys and girls have great fun wearing kimono/jimbe, facepaint and head dresses for the occasion. Soon, the early cherry blossoms (sakura) arrive and theclass enjoys nature trips to the park in warmer weather.

お花見April
JLIPers study and take in the late blooming species of cherry blossoms, like the yaezakura.
We head out for a special picnic and flower viewing (ohanami).
On Buddha's Birthday (Hanamatsuri), the children are invited to dress up, andjoin in a family event held in Nishi Azabu. Get your cameras ready!

花まつり

May

忍者

On 'Boys' Day' (Kodomo no Hi), the JLIPers enjoy dramatic role-play as ninjas, complete withcool outfits and cool moves for both boys and girls.
A highlight for this month is a special field trip for students to Narita Farm.
For studies, they sometimes enjoy learning about city & country living and on alternate years,
they meet cherished anime characters like Totoro, and enjoy large-scale art projects e.g.
constructing a 'cat bus' for Totoro, or magic brooms for Majo no Kiki - just like in the Ghibli films!

June
We enjoy the sun and take the opportunity to get outside as often as possible!
We learn traffic rules and words for all the vehicles in Japanese. JLIPers enjoy exploring their
immediate neighbourhood, equipped with their own little IC cards, and a special visit to the local
fire station!

消防署

July

七夕

The 'Star Festival' (Tanabata) brings together our end-of-year celebration with colour and cheer.
Clad in kimono/jimbe, the children enjoy placing their wishes on the tree and eating special noodles(nagashi soumen). Here we put our chopsticks (ohashi) skills to the test. Finally, we try our strengthand coordination in watermelon bashing (suica-wari) for some sweet summer memories.

流しそうめんJLIP Calendar and Study Notes
Children can join us in JLIP from 2.5 years and up to 4 years old, so it is possible to enjoy the benefitsof this wonderful bilingual course for a repeat year. Both the JLIP and its accompanying study curriculum,
Butterfly, are designed with this longer study timeframe in mind. The curriculum is based on a 2-year cycle,
with many wonderful theme units and appropriate highlights for teachers to follow.