Japanese

This course is for students learning Japanese as a mother tongue, first language, or heritage language. The course focuses on expanding the following skills: kanji, vocabulary building, reading comprehension, writing passages, and oral expression expected for university students. 

Prerequisite: “SPECIAL JAPANESE 1” or equivalent. Six class hours/week. 

The course develops the following skills: 

• Read a variety of texts from various genres and understand the writer's intentions and arguments.
• Express one's own opinions about what (s)he has read and heard accurately using appropriate expressions.
• Make oral presentations and book reports using figures and tables.

This course is designed for students in the second half of the elementary-level course. It provides an opportunity for students to obtain and practice listening and speaking skills. 

This course considers in-depth current issues and topics in second language acquisition and learning such as the role of age; learner differences; theoretical perspectives, and the role of instruction. Current views of second language acquisition and learning are considered critically relative to findings of empirical research.  LED102 Principles of Language Learning and Teaching is a prerequisite for this course.

In addition to the 320 kanji characters taught up to K250, students will learn to read, write and type 192 new characters. Utilizing a variety of kanji learning methods, they will expand their vocabulary of words that contain kanji.
Eligibility: Students who have learned about 320 kanji characters and are at least A2.1 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education (N4 in the JLPT).
Learning Objectives: 
・Understand the meanings and readings of 512 kanji and words using those kanji.
・Be able to write the 512 kanji vocabulary words with the help of example models.
・Be able to type short sentences containing the 512 kanji on a smartphone or PC.
・Understand the radicals (bushu) and sound parts (onpu) of kanji, and infer the meaning and reading of kanji compound.

The course covers simple phrases and expressions used in everyday practical situations. This includes the use of expressions with the context of others, in expressing sequential actions; exchanging ideas and information, and asking questions.
 

This advanced Japanese course expands vocabulary. A different theme is be chosen to discuss each week. Students are split into groups to engage in activities, discussion, and group work concerning the selected topic. The goal of the class is not only to increase vocabulary, but also to widen perspectives and deepenknowledge regarding various issues related to Japan and Japanese society. The program offers various theme courses and students may take multiple sections.