This is an intensive beginner’s language programme. The course is designed to enable students with no previous knowledge of the language to reach a level of intermediate proficiency by the end of the year, and to build towards the use of the language at a high level. Study focuses on the four major language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening – through classwork exercises as well as written work, and use of video and audio material.

Understand the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise their learning with guidance with the tutor

2.         Read, understand and speak the Japanese language to about level N4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test

3.         Have gained confidence in their ability to express themselves in speech and writing in everyday matters in the Japanese language

4.         Engage with appropriate grammatical correctness and some spontaneity in oral as well as written communication relating to everyday topics

5.         Write coherent texts in a limited range of registers on everyday topics

6.         Comprehend passages of Japanese text using vocabulary and grammar introduced

7.         Have extended and refined vocabulary and skills by engaging with the Independent Learning Portfolio

8.         Be able to engage with appropriate language learning technologies

9.         To be able to identify, assess, and make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries; online resources; self-study tool)

10.       Understand Japanese culture and its relevance within the language

11.        Conduct oneself in a manner appropriate to a Japanese setting

The module will be taught through a blend of live online classes and guided, interactive online tasks and activities, designed to fulfil the learning outcomes. These will be delivered remotely, and on-campus if the University deems it safe and practicable.

Independent Learning: You will be expected to spend a significant amount of time studying outside the class. Materials will be provided on Learning Central which will help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. You will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning vocabulary and linguistic structures, and by reading, watching and/or listening to material in the Japanese language. You will also be expected to prepare exercises and activities for the class, to write assignments and generally begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies. Independent Learning logbooks will be provided on Learning Central to help structure your language learning outside class time.

Subject-specific language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in the Japanese language at the appropriate level

•           The ability to use language creatively and precisely for a range of purposes and audiences

•           The abilities to extract and synthesize key information from written, spoken and other sources

•           A greater awareness of how languages (including the mother tongue) function

•           The skills to be effective, independent and self-aware Iearners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and linguistic skills to ensure progression

•           The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team

•           Skills in intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, including a critical understanding of other cultures and practice other than one’s own

•           Enhanced skills in effective communication, presentation and interaction

•           Enhanced digital literacy skills

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

 Reassessment

You may be required to resit one or more of the assessments in this module if you fail the module. The Examination Board will advise you which assessments you need to resit during the August resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme

The course will focus on:

Introducing the fundamentals of grammar

Introducing sentence structures

Building a range of vocabulary relevant to daily life, as specified in the European Common Framework of Reference, level A2

Introducing different registers

Introducing the cultural contexts of the Japanese  cultures

Making the most of independent learning and learning technologies

* Subject to change

Compulsory textbooks

Banno, E., Ikeda, Y., Ohno, Y., Shinagawa, & C., Tokashiki, K. (2011) Genki 1: An integrated course in elementary Japanese (3rd Edition), The Japan Times, ISBN ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5

Banno, E., Ikeda, Y., Ohno, Y., Shinagawa, & C., Tokashiki, K. (2011) Genki 1: An Integrated course in elementary Japanese workbook (3rd Edition), The Japan Times, ISBN  978-4-7890-1731-2

Banno, E., Ikeda, Y., Ohno, Y., Shinagawa, & C., Tokashiki, K. (2011) Genki 2: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese (3rd Edition), The Japan Times. ISBN: 978-4-7890-1732-9

Banno, E., Ikeda, Y., Ohno, Y., Shinagawa, C., & Tokashiki, K. (2011) Genki 2: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese workbook (3rd Edition), The Japan Times. ISBN:  978-4-7890-1733-6

Recommended textbook

Banno E, Ikeda, Y. Shinagawa, C., Tokashiki, K., & Tajima, K. (2009) Kanji Look and Learn: 512 Kanji with Illustrations and Mnemonic Hints (Textbook), The Japan Times. ISBN: 978-4-7890-1349-9