Japanese

Japanese at GCSE level is offered by Edexcel only. There is no IGCSE. An alternative qualification is the Japanese Language Proficiency Tests, or JLPT. 
The Japan Foundation has a page on qualifications in Japanese which are available in the UK.
== Edexcel GCSE Japanese (Modern Foreign Language) ==
Edexcel GCSE Japanese page and specification
* Exams from 2019
* Available in Summer series
* Specification code 1JA0 (9-1 grading)
* The qualification is tiered
=== Subject content ===
The content of Edexcel GCSE Japanese is organised into five themes :
* 5 Identity and Culture
* Local area, Holiday and travel
* School
* Future aspirations, study, work
* International and global dimension
=== Assessment ===
3 written papers and one spoken examination. Foundation and Higher tiers.
* Paper 1 - Listening and understanding in Japanese - 35 minutes (Foundation) or 45 minutes (Higher) - 50 marks - 25%. 
** Students are assessed on their understanding of spoken Japanese in a variety of scenarios covering all themes and topics. 
** Multiple choice and short answer questions.
* Paper 2 - Speaking in Japanese - 12 mins Prep and 7-9 minutes (Foundation) or 10 -12 minutes (Higher) - 70 marks - 25%. 
** There are three tasks which must be conducted in the following order: 
*** a role play based on one topic that is externally set 
*** questions based on a picture stimulus based on one topic that is externally set
*** conversation based on two themes. The first theme is based on the topic chosen by the student in advance of the assessment. The second theme is externally set. 
** The assessments are conducted by centres in one session within a prescribed assessment window, the recordings are then submitted to Pearson for external marking.
*Paper 3 - Reading and understanding in Japanese - 50 minutes (Foundation) or 1 hr 5 minutes (Higher) - 50 marks - 25%.
**Candidates are assessed on their understanding of written Japanese across a range of different types of texts, including advertisements, emails, letters, articles and literary texts.
**Candidates are required to respond to multiple-response and short-answer questions based on these texts.
**Section B includes a translation passage from Japanese into English with instructions in English.
* Paper 4 - Writing in Japanese - 1 hr 20 minutes (Foundation) or 1 hr 25 minutes (Higher) - 60 marks - 25%.
**Candidates are assessed on their ability to communicate effectively through writing in Japanese for different purposes and audiences..
**Questions include open response and a translation.
===Resources===
The specification page has a number of support resources, activities, scheme of work and a course planner
Past papers including audio clips can be accessed through the specification page
Japanese Exams - tutor site offering paid access to a full GCSE theme textbook and grammar textbook, as well as private classes. Seems to be the only resource with in depth guides specifically for the 5 main themes students need to study. 
Rajakumar Sensei's Japanese Page - tutor site offering free workbooks and videos for Edexcel GCSE, looks current, non-endorsed. 
Nihong School - Another tutor site offering lessons in GCSE Japanese and resources for self studying.
Japanese Foundation - lots of resources and information
== How do I find an exam centre for the Speaking Assessment?==
The Speaking and Listening Component is compulsory for GCSE Japanese.  You MUST confirm that you have an exam centre prepared to do the speaking test as well as the written papers. It is best to ask the exam centre to confirm in writing that they can offer the speaking test, to avoid misunderstandings.
===Can you bring your own tutor for the speaking test? ===
The speaking test is recorded and sent off to the exam board for marking. As the tutor is not marking the work, it is possible for them to act as questioner for the speaking test without it giving the candidate an advantage. It is common in schools for the class teacher to conduct the speaking assessment. If your exam centre doesn't offer the speaking test, they may be prepared to work with your tutor. They would have to check the tutor's qualifications and take responsibility for the tutor. It is entirely up to the exam centre whether they do this or not.
The International Institute of Education in London (IIEL) and The Japan Foundation in London have assisted private candidates in the past so they may be able to offer advice or support in finding a centre/accessor.
==Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)==
The JLPT is offered at five different levels, and these are available to external candidates with Speaking and Listening tests. The test is held twice a year in the UK once in July, and once in December, at SOAS University of London and the University of Edinburgh. 
More information on the Japan Foundation's JLPT page.
==Japanese Resources==
Japan Foundation Japanese Teaching and Learning Resources - this includes a list of private tutors.
Language exchange can be arranged free on busuu.com - you make contact with a Japanese speaker who wants to learn English, and practise with each other via email or skype.
Here are some other resources which have been recommended for Japanese on the HE Exams list:
Japanese Exams has some free preview materials as well as paid access to a full textbook designed specifically to cover the GCSE spec.
Rajakumar Sensei's Website Japanese4Schools has lots of resources such as downloadable workbooks; they also offer online lessons.
Memrise
Japanese Language Exchange in London organised by IIEL Japanese college in London, where English speakers can practise both English and Japanese with Japanese students who want to improve their English, face-to-face or online.
The Hiragana Memory Hint iPhone app is a fun way to start learning the first alphabet you will study at GCSE level.
There are lots of Japanese tutorials on YouTube.
We bought a set of Studio Ghibli films and play them in Japanese with English subtitles.
This site has been recommended for free Japanese resources: http://www.japanesepod101.com/
Category:Subjects
Category:Modern Foreign Languages