This module aims to refine students’ linguistic and cultural competencies acquired in Japanese at previous levels. By fortifying productive (written and oral), receptive (aural and reading) and interpretative (translation, précis, textual analysis) skills, students will achieve capacity for graduate employment or higher degrees of specialisation. To accomplish this, they will work with a variety of oral, aural and textual materials, primarily aimed at consolidating communicational skills in the target language. Students will use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes, while also fine-tuning their transferable skills.

• Express themselves fluently and spontaneously in formal contexts without much obvious searching for expressions.
• Collect, select, evaluate and present information or interpretations of material on a specific topic for oral presentation.
• Collect, select, evaluate and present information or interpretations of material on a specific topic in writing.
• Show an ability to mediate between source and Japanese language by means of translating and/or interpreting across a wide range of topics.
• Evidence knowledge of aspects of the cultures, communities and societies where the language is used.
• Refine knowledge and understanding of language varieties, register, genre, nuances of meaning and language use.
• Make effective use of language reference materials such as grammars, standard and specialised dictionaries
• Read, understand and speak the Japanese language to about level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test

This module will be delivered in Japanese.

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.

This final year language module will equip students with a semi-specialised vocabulary and new insights on a selection of the following domains: Media, Law, Politics and International Relations, Business and Administration, Business and trade, Publishing and Education, Culture and Heritage.

Various forms of expression will be practised. This could include orally, through interviews, presentations and discussions; and in writing, through reports, press releases, summaries, abstracts, blogs and emails.

The student's preparatory work and participation will be paramount in view of getting well prepared for future work experience.

Language skills

• Express themselves fluently and spontaneously in the Japanese language on a wide range of topics and registers.
• Understand a wide range of longer texts and recognise nuances in meaning and use.
• Write clear, well-structured, detailed texts in the Japanese language on complex subjects.
• Use the Japanese language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.

Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence

• Critically understand other cultures and practices other than student’s own.
• Articulate to others the contribution that the culture has made at a regional and global level.
• Appreciate and evaluate critically student’s own culture.

Language-related skills

• Develop awareness and understanding of student’s own approaches for learning the Japanese language.
• Develop awareness and understanding of student’s own learning style and learning opportunities of the Japanese language.

Generic skills

• Use language creatively and precisely for a range of purposes and audiences.
• Extract and synthesise key information from written, spoken and other sources.
• Organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument.
• Develop digital literacy.
• Develop problem-solving skills.
• Use Japanese language source materials appropriately.
• Write and think under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Manage own learning.
• Effective communication, presentation and interaction.
• Ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team.
• Linguistic mediation 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.

Students will work with a main textbook as well as variety of materials. The materials used will be appropriate to the needs and areas of interest of all students.

Ishikawa, S. (2016). The Great Japanese 30の物語（中上級）人物で学ぶ日本語. Sanju no nihongo (chujokyu), Jinbutsu de manabu nihongo. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publisher.

Additional core materials will be provided and uploaded on Learning Central.

Academic Japanese kenkyuukai. (2016). 改訂版 大学・大学院留学生の日本語②作文編. Kaiteeban daigaku ・daigakuin ryuugakusee no nihongo ② sakubun hen. Japanese for International College / Graduate Students -Composition. Tokyo: Aruku.

Chino, N. (2005). How to Tell the Difference between Japanese Particles. Tokyo; New York: Kodansha International.

Kaneko, S., et al. (2006). Using Manga to Improve Your Japanese Conversational Skills. マンガで学ぶ日本語会話術 英訳付き.Manga de manabu nihongo kaiwajutsu: Eiyakutsuki. Tokyo: Aruku.

Makino, S. and Tsutsui, M. (1986, 1989, 2016). A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar 日本語基本文法事. Nihongo Bunpoh Jiten. Tokyo: Japan Times.

Rubin, J. (1992, 1998, 2002). Making Sense of Japanese. What the Textbooks Don’t Tell You. Tokyo; London: Kodansha International.