Japanese Language: Basic Course

2023/2024

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

23

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

1 year, 1-4 module

Instructors

Yoshida, Higashi

Калмычек Татьяна Александровна

Fabiana Kveder

Колева Милана Сергеевна

Naumova, Elena

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This 2-year course is designed to provide practical skills and knowledge in Japanese language to students who have no background in Japanese. Through the duration of the course students develop sufficient competency in Japanese to achieve numerous communicative objectives. The course aims at providing well-balanced development of the four language skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the Japanese language, while also providing them with a deeper understanding of Japan and its culture. It is expected that by the end of the course students will reach B1 level according to CEFR and N3 level according to JLPT.

Learning Objectives

• 1. Reading: Read articles and reports about common topics; recognize rhetorical patterns, determine the author’s purpose; summarize and paraphrase information in the text.
• 2. Speaking: Discuss familiar topics in detail; describe experiences, events, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans; plan and deliver short oral presentations; show the improved pronunciation skills, including stress, intonation, and reductions.
• 3. Writing: Write clearly and in detail about a wide range of subjects; write an essay or report, which are clearly focused, fully developed, and logically organized; write letters about events and personal experiences.
• 4. Listening - Listen and comprehend coherent conversations in everyday situations, spoken at near-natural speed; understand long speech and lectures and follow complex arguments if the topic is reasonably familiar; make inference and predictions about spoken discourse.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• 1. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the hiragana and katakana, have an understanding of the phonetic system of Japanese language.
• 2. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 1 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can introduce themselves and each other.
• 3. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 2 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can use basic phrases during shopping.
• 4. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 3 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can invite a friend and accept or refuse invitations.
• 5. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 4 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their weekend activities (leisure).
• 6. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 5 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their trip, using basic adjectives.
• 7. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 6 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their everyday activities, can ask permission, can offer assistance.
• 8. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 7 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their family and friends.
• 9. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 8 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their hobbies.
• 10. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 9 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe read and write diary notes.
• 11. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 10 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their vacation plans.
• 12. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 11 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their dreams and ambitions.
• 13. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 12 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their illness and symptoms using basic vocabulary.
• 14. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 13 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can talk on the topic of “An Interesting Experience”.
• 15. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 14 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can ask for an advice on a problem.
• 16. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 15 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can talk on the topic of “My Favorite Place”.
• 17. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 16 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can describe their lost items and ask for help finding them.
• 18. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 17 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can narrate stories heard from other sources.
• 19. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 18 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can talk on the topic of “College life”.
• 20. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 19 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can read and write letters and e-mails.
• 21. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 20 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can use respectful and humble speech during conversations.
• 22. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 21 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can talk on the topic of “A Bad Experience”
• 23. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 22 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can talk on the topic of “Educational Experience”
• 24. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 23 of beginner level textbook and use them accurately. Students can talk on the topic of “Intercultural differences”
• 25. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 1 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students can hold a polite or a casual conversation when meeting someone for the first time.
• 26. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 2 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students can hold a polite conversation with a teacher.
• 27. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 3 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students are able to make and change reservations at the restaurant, make orders at the restaurant, etc.
• 28. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 4 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students are able to ask for help when facing a problem in daily life, and offer solutions when asked for help.
• 29. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 5 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students are able to set a date for a meeting with a friend or an acquaintance, ask directions when lost.
• 30. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 6 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students can hold a polite conversation when dealing with a problematic roommate.
• 31. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 7 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students are able to politely ask someone to stop doing something/ Students are able to express their point of view during a discussion.
• 32. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 8 of intermediate level textbook use them accurately. Students can hold a conversation with an official regarding lost items.
• 33. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 9 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students are able to offer their help when they see someone facing a problem.
• 34. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 10 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students can answer questions at a job interview.
• 35. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 11 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students can make difficult requests.
• 36. Students demonstrate the knowledge of the active vocabulary, kanji and grammar of Unit 12 of intermediate level textbook and use them accurately. Students can bid farewell while leaving the country of stay, can hold discussions and debates.

Course Contents

• 1 years. Beginner: Japanese Kana and Pronunciation
• Beginner: Unit 1. New Friends
• Beginner: Unit 2. Shopping
• Beginner: Unit 3. Making a Date
• Beginner: Unit 4. The First Date
• Beginner: Unit 5. A Trip to Okinawa
• Beginner: Unit 6. A Day in Robert’s Life
• Beginner: Unit 7. Family Picture
• Beginner: Unit 8. Barbecue
• Beginner: Unit 9. Kabuki
• Beginner: Unit 10. Winter Vacation Plans
• Beginner: Unit 11. After the Vacation
• Beginner: Unit 12. Feeling Ill
• Beginner: Unit 13. Looking for Part-time Job
• Beginner: Unit 14. Valentine’s day
• Beginner: Unit 15. A trip to Nagano
• Beginner: Unit 16. Lost and Found
• Beginner: Unit 17. Grumble and Gossip
• Beginner: Unit 18. John’s Part-time Job
• Beginner: Unit 19. Meeting the Boss
• Beginner: Unit 20. Mary’s Shopping
• Beginner: Unit 21: Burglar
• Beginner: Unit 22: Education in Japan
• Beginner: Unit 23: Goodbye
• 2 years. Intermediate: Unit 1
• Intermediate: Unit 2
• Intermediate: Unit 3
• Intermediate: Unit 4
• Intermediate: Unit 5
• Intermediate: Unit 6
• Intermediate: Unit 7
• Intermediate: Unit 8
• Intermediate: Unit 9
• Intermediate: Unit 10
• Intermediate: Unit 11
• Intermediate: Unit 12

Assessment Elements

• Unit tests
  Unit tests are conducted during the course of semester after every unit. They include sentences and texts for translation from Russian into Japanese using vocabulary and grammar learned in the unit.
• Classwork for Grammar and Reading
  Classwork for Grammar and Reading is calculated as average of grades awarded for various assessment activities conducted in class during the course of semester: vocabulary and kanji quizzes, dialogue enactment, text summary, text translations etc. In case of the student’s absence for a valid reason, the student must provide a valid Certificate of Illness/Medical Note to the Students’ Office in the span of 1 (one) working day since the end of their sick leave, else their absence will be graded as 0 (zero). All absences without a valid reason will lower the grade by 0,4 point grade for every 10% of missed classes.
• Classwork for Speaking and Writing
  Classwork for Speaking and Writing is calculated as average of grade for presence and participation and grades awarded for various assessment activities conducted in class or given as homework during the course of semester: role plays, dialogue enactment, written assignments etc. In case of the student’s absence for a valid reason, the student must provide a valid Certificate of Illness/Medical Note to the Students’ Office in the span of 1 (one) working day since the end of their sick leave, else their absence will be graded as 0 (zero). All absences without a valid reason will lower the grade by 0,4 point grade for every 10% of missed classes.
• Classwork for Kanji
  Classwork for Kanji is calculated as average of grades awarded for various vocabulary and kanji quizzes conducted in class during the course of semester. In case of the student’s absence for a valid reason, the student must provide a valid Certificate of Illness/Medical Note to the Students’ Office in the span of 1 (one) working day since the end of their sick leave, else their absence will be graded as 0 (zero). All absences without a valid reason will lower the grade by 0,4-point grade for every 10% of missed classes.
• Classwork for Listening
  Classwork for Listening is calculated as average of grades awarded for various assessment activities conducted in class during the course of semester: oral vocabulary quiz, listening comprehension tests, etc. In case of the student’s absence for a valid reason, the student must provide a valid Certificate of Illness/Medical Note to the Students’ Office in the span of 1 (one) working day since the end of their sick leave, else their absence will be graded as 0 (zero). All absences without a valid reason will lower the grade by 0,4-point grade for every 10% of missed classes. If a student misses an assessment activity for a valid reason (such as absence due to health reasons supported with a doctor’s note), they do not get any grade for the activity. In case of absence without a valid reason, the assessment activity will be graded with 0 points.
• Final Written Assignment
  1st year: The final written assignment is held for all students of the group at the same time within a period of 10 days before the exam session and consists of two parts:1) grammar (70%) 2) kanji (30%). Both parts can be conducted on the same day, or on two separate days depending on the class timetables of that semester. Grammar part consists of a grammar and vocabulary questions, translations of sentences from Russian to Japanese, whereas kanji part consists of vocabulary and writing kanji tasks, as well as translations of sentences from Japanese to Russian. 2nd year: The final written assignment is held for all students of the group at the same time within a period of 10 days before the exam session. It consists of a grammar and vocabulary questions, translations of sentences from Russian to Japanese, reading and listening comprehension.
• Examination (1st year 4th module)
  Oral examination is conducted during the exam session as a series of individual discussions with every student. Students are required to enter the examination room one by one (the order is to be decided by the students) and complete several tasks. There will be no extra time for preparation once the student enters the examination room. Students are not allowed to carry any learning materials into the examination room.
• Examination (1st year 2nd module)
  Oral examination is conducted during the exam session as a series of individual discussions with every student. Students are required to enter the examination room one by one (the order is to be decided by the students) and complete several tasks. There will be no extra time for preparation once the student enters the examination room. Students are not allowed to carry any learning materials into the examination room. 1st year Examination for the 1st year consists of 2 tasks: (1) Question-answer session. 5 questions are to be answered involving active grammar and vocabulary. (2) Speech on a given topic. 4-7 topics for the speech will be announced to the students 1 month prior to the examination. After the speech is delivered, examiners will ask 2-4 questions regarding the contents of the speech.
• Examination (2nd year 2nd module)
  Oral examination is conducted during the exam session as a series of individual discussions with every student. Students are required to enter the examination room one by one (the order is to be decided by the students) and complete several tasks. There will be no extra time for preparation once the student enters the examination room. Students are not allowed to carry any learning materials into the examination room. Examination for the 2nd year consists of 2 tasks: (1) Roleplay conversation. Student will be given 2 roleplay tasks to complete: one in casual style, one in formal style. (2) Speech on a given topic. 4-7 topics for the speech will be announced to the students 1 month prior to the examination. After the speech is delivered, examiners will ask 2-4 questions regarding the contents of the speech.
• Examination (2nd year 4th module)
  Oral examination is conducted during the exam session as a series of individual discussions with every student. Students are required to enter the examination room one by one (the order is to be decided by the students) and complete several tasks. There will be no extra time for preparation once the student enters the examination room. Students are not allowed to carry any learning materials into the examination room. Examination for the 2nd year consists of 2 tasks: (1) Roleplay conversation. Student will be given 2 roleplay tasks to complete: one in casual style, one in formal style. (2) Speech on a given topic. 4-7 topics for the speech will be announced to the students 1 month prior to the examination. After the speech is delivered, examiners will ask 2-4 questions regarding the contents of the speech.

Interim Assessment

• 2023/2024 2nd module
  0.15 * Classwork for Grammar and Reading + 0.2 * Classwork for Kanji + 0.1 * Classwork for Speaking and Writing + 0.16 * Examination (1st year 2nd module) + 0.24 * Final Written Assignment + 0.15 * Unit tests
• 2023/2024 4th module
  0.15 * Classwork for Grammar and Reading + 0.2 * Classwork for Kanji + 0.1 * Classwork for Speaking and Writing + 0.16 * Examination (1st year 4th module) + 0.24 * Final Written Assignment + 0.15 * Unit tests
• 2024/2025 2nd module
  0.15 * Classwork for Grammar and Reading + 0.1 * Classwork for Listening + 0.2 * Classwork for Speaking and Writing + 0.16 * Examination (2nd year 2nd module) + 0.24 * Final Written Assignment + 0.15 * Unit tests
• 2024/2025 4th module
  0.15 * Classwork for Grammar and Reading + 0.1 * Classwork for Listening + 0.2 * Classwork for Speaking and Writing + 0.16 * Examination (2nd year 4th module) + 0.24 * Final Written Assignment + 0.15 * Unit tests

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• GENKI 1: an integrated course in elementary Japanese : workbook, , 2016
• GENKI 1: an integrated course in elementary Japanese, , 2016
• GENKI 1: an integrated course in elementary Japanese, , 2019
• GENKI 1: an integrated course in elementary Japanese, Banno, E., 2013
• GENKI 2: an integrated course in elementary Japanese : workbook, , 2012
• GENKI 2: an integrated course in elementary Japanese, , 2016
• GENKI 2: an integrated course in elementary Japanese, , 2019
• GENKI 2: an integrated course in elementary Japanese, Banno, E., 2013

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Eguchi, S., Okamoto, K., Park, J., Nazikian, F., & Nittono, M. (2011). Hiyaku: An Intermediate Japanese Course. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1013866