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
LfA Japanese Beginner / Japanese Language and Cultures: Beginner or equivalent.
Module will run
Occurrence
Teaching period
A
Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25
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:
reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);
production activities (oral and written production);
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
Topics may include:
describing feelings and conditions;
introduction to the non-polite forms;
introducing people and exchanging personal information;
The course is non-assessed but students will receive an LfA Certificate of Completion if they participate in at least 13 sessions out of 18.
Reassessment
None
Module feedback
Regular homework tasks will provide opportunities for ongoing feedback on progress.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete coursework. Its purpose is not to provide a summative assessment of students’ performance but to provide the basis for relevant tutor’s feedback and feedforward.
Indicative reading
Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the year.