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Game demonstration - sound on

Learning Japanese Through Play

Dōbutsu wa Doko? | ‘Where are the animals?’

A digital game for Hebrew-speaking pre-readers, introducing Japanese through listening and play

In the picture: tori (bird)

The Design Challenge
Creating a positive, motivating, and pressure-free initial encounter with a foreign language, tailored for pre-reading children.

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Each level includes

  • One image

  • One song that plays in a loop while the child searches

In the picture: ka’eru (frog)

Listening as guidance
Each song repeats the animal’s name in
Japanese and Hebrew.
Listening tells children which animal to find and how to move forward.

Game structure
9 scenes · 9 animals · 9 original songs
Each song in a different musical style.
The music invites repeated listening and return to play

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In the picture: neko (cat)

Design intention
Early encounters with a language carry real responsibility.
This game is designed

to create joy and a desire to keep learning Japanese

“Fun comes first

 Learning follows naturally”

In the picture: kuma (bear)

Observed outcomes
Children listened willingly,
repeated words spontaneously, and returned to play for the enjoyment of listening and searching

Role & skills

Solo project
Concept · Learning & Interaction Design · Visual Design · Illustration · Music · Prototype

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In the picture: ahiru (duck)

Developed as part of my M.Ed. in Educational Technology,
under the guidance and support of Dudi Peles 

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© Alexandra Yamamori. All rights reserved. All content and materials are original and may not be reproduced without permission.

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