Japanese Intensive 1a (LAS147)

Overview

• University credits: 20
• FHEQ level: 4
• Availability: Japanese language degree students
• Frequency of class: 9 hours per week
• Group size: 20 students max
• Module Leader: Miyuki Jenkins

Description

This module teaches the foundations of Japanese language for students in the Japanese Intensive Pathway. Through a high-contact and interactive classroom experience, you will gain core knowledge in Japanese reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end of the semester, you will be able to read and write in the three main writing systems in Japanese (hiragana, katakana, and kanji), read simple stories and explain them in English,and translate simple passages to English. In your first semester, you will begin to develop cultural awareness of both Japanese and your own culture and identify your own learning style for language acquisition at the university level. Together with Japanese Intensive 1b and 1c, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or JLPT N4 by the end of your first year.

Learning outcomes

• Read and write the two kana syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) with ease. 
• Have a sound understanding of over 200 kanji (Chinese characters) introduced in the module.
• Read and understand passages in Japanese using the vocabulary and grammar introduced in the module. 
• Compose passages on daily topics in Japanese using the vocabulary and grammar introduced in the module.
• Translate basic passages between Japanese and English. 

Assessment

• Written Exam (60%)
• Mid-semester Kanji Test (10%)
• Homework (20%)
• Final Kanji Test (10%)