Japanese Language and Cultures: Elementary - LFA00232L

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Module summary

This course is aimed at students who have a very basic knowledge of Japanese. Over the course of a semester, it will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to learn Japanese and communicate in familiar everyday situations. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at elementary level and provide a foundation for further study.

Related modules

Japanese Language and Cultures: Beginner or equivalent 

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2023-24
B	Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

The module aims are:

• to further develop skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing

• to develop interactive skills in familiar situations

• to build up a range of Japanese characters and establish their application.

Students will engage, individually and in groups, in activities and tasks emphasising three core communicative skills:

1. reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);

2. production activities (oral and written production);

3. interaction activities (oral, written and online interaction).

The mediums of instruction are English and Japanese.

Module learning outcomes

• Ability to understand familiar everyday phrases and expressions in predictable settings

• Ability to produce phrases and series of sentences about familiar everyday subjects

• Ability to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters

• Ability to recognise basic cultural conventions associated with everyday social exchanges

• Ability to write words and sentences relevant to the subjects covered in Japanese

Module content

Topic may include:

• describing feelings and conditions;

• introduction to the non-polite forms;

• introducing people and exchanging personal information;

• talking about one's family;

• expressing likes and dislikes;

• counting various objects;

• talking about transport and travel;

• exchanging emails and other types of messages.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)	60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam	40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)	60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam	40

Module feedback

Feedback on exams and essays as per University regulations.

Indicative reading

Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.