Learning a new language has never been so competitive, with Catholic primary school pupils from across Ballarat facing off in a card-game tournament to showcase their Japanese skills.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Pupils from seven primary schools took part in the third Japanese Karuta Challenge, playing the Karuta card game to sharpen their skills with the Japanese hiragana characters (alphabet).
Teams of three pupils, who had won their places during school competitions, vied to see who could find the hiragana character the fastest.
Karuta is an ancient card game which has been adapted to help students learn Japanese hiragana characters.
Teams kneel on the floor, facing each other, with a set of Karuta cards laid out in front of them. A caller then calls out different hiragana characters and the first person to put their hand on the right card keeps it.
RELATED STORY: Special guest for final Japanese lesson at Loreto
The team from St Alipius, who won the event, had spent their lunch times practicing the game. “Which subject can you find where kids practice at lunch time?” said Catholic Education languages coach Bernadette Brouwers.
Karuta is played around the world but Ms Brouwers believes this is the only school-based competition, and its popularity means organisers are considering whether to introduce a secondary schools competition, and an event for younger pupils.
The day began with a taiko drumming performance from St Alipius pupils, and schools designed colourful team “happi coats” for the occasion.
Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
