Japanese JA100

Koji Namba (Center for International Education and Exchange)

Cource Objective
   This course is designed for advanced students to develop their communicative fluency in all four language skills further building on the foundation of their Japanese skills which they have acquired.

Learning Goals
   The objectives of JA100 are:
   (1) to have a basic understanding of sentence structures, grammar and vocabulary of Japanese
   (2) to be familiar with texts written in hiragana, katakana, and simple kanjis
   (3) to be able to use and comprehend commonly used phrases in daily communication with the university community
   (4) to be able to deliver personal information, experiences, simple comments, etc. in conversations in Japanese
   (5) to develop strategic skills for getting information about the Japanese language through communication with native Japanese speakers

Requirement / Prerequisite
   This course is designed for students with no prior experience of studying Japanese.

Special Note

1. One lecture and two sessions (90 minutes each) will be given in a week for 15 weeks. Regular attendance to all classes is required. Being absent for one third or more of the classes will be considered as withdrawal from the course.
2. Japanese visitors will join the classes and students will have discussions on various topic of the week.
3. Regular quizzes will be given weekly to develop reading and writing skills.

Class Plan

	Theme	Content
Week 1	Orientation	Overview of Japanese language and learning strategies
Week 2	Introduction to Japanese Writing system	Introducing Japanese sound and writing system
Week 3	Unit 1: Introducing Myself	Writing practices: Katakana writing practices
Week 4	Unit 2: Introducing My Family	Writing practices: Hiragana writing practices
Week 5	Unit 3; My Favorite Things	Expressing likes and dislikes Expressing your favorite foods, sports, music, etc.
Week 6	Unit 4: My Everyday Life	Talking about your daily life
Week 7	Unit 5: Friday Night	Talking about how you spend (or spent) Friday night
Week 8	Unit 6: Going Out	Talking about going out with your friends, family, etc.
Week 9	Unit 7: Invitations and Offers	Offering something to someone Inviting someone to do something Offering someone to do something together
Week 10	Unit 8: My Family	Talking about your family
Week 11	Unit 9: What I want to Do	Expressing your desire to do something Expressing whether you have experienced to do something or not
Week 12	Unit 10: Rules and Directions	Giving guidance or instructions Telling "dos and don'ts" Asking someone to do something
Week 13	Unit 11: Busy Days and Hard Work	Expressing obligations or duty Telling someone not to do something
Week 14	Unit 12: Things to notice	Saying the preferred action
Week 15	Final test	Reading, writing and oral test will be given in each session

Independent Study Outside of Class
   Regular writing assignments will be given weekly. Students are asked to practices, essays and drafts for the speeches depending on the units.

Textbooks

1. "A New Approach to Elementary Japanese Vol. 1"(Center for International Education and Exchange).
2. Grammar Reference Book: "Understanding Basic Japanese Grammar"(ALC)

Grading Policy
   Class attendance, participation and performance 40%
   Quiz, assignment, essay and presentation 20%
   Final written Exam. 20%
   Final oral exam. 20%