Japanese

Prerequisite for entry

For complete beginners.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to function at a basic everyday survival level (basic vocabulary, grammar and phonetics). Students should be able to communicate in and understand Japanese on a number of practical everyday matters.  Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach some authentic material will be enhanced.  Also, students should develop their ability of reading and writing Hiragana. Cultural awareness will be developed.

Functions

• Greetings and introductions
• Asking about a location of a thing
• Asking for prices
• Asking for or giving a telephone number
• Expressing time
• Asking someone to do something together
• Talking about daily routines
• Reading and writing a memo

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Countries, nationalities and languages
• Occupation
• Numbers
• Days of a week and time
• Shopping
• Travel and transport
• Linguistic structures/ Phonetics
• Basic rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese

Grammar

• Noun sentences
• ko/so/a/do words (demonstrative words)
• Words to make a question
• Negative form of desu （です）
• Questions with interrogatives
• Particles (mo, ne, no, yo, ni.. etc)
• The masu form of verbs
• Past tense of the masu form
• Negative form of the masu form
• masho / masenka  

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (shokyu 1) (Lesson 1 – Lesson 6)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo 1 Translation & Grammatical Notes (Lesson 1 – Lesson 6)  published by 3A Corporation

Bilingual Dictionaries

Oxford Beginner’s Japanese dictionary (Oxford University Press)  

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 1, or equivalent other experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to function at a basic everyday survival level (basic vocabulary, grammar and phonetics). Students should be able to communicate in and understand Japanese on a number of practical everyday matters.  Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach some authentic material will be enhanced.  Also, students should develop their ability of reading and writing Hiragana and Katakana. Cultural awareness will be developed.

Functions

• Giving and receiving something from someone
• Using an adjective in a sentence
• Describing preference, ability or possession
• Using adverbs in a sentence.
• Indicating existence or presence of a thing(s) or person(s)
• Counting in Japanese

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Offering drink and food
• Describing things using adjectives
• Talking about likes and dislikes
• Accepting or refusing an invitation in an amicable manner
• Asking about an existence or presence of a thing(s) or person(s)
• Ordering food and drink
• Expressing desires
• Reading and writing short messages
• Linguistic structures/ Phonetics
• Basic rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese

Grammar

• Adjectives:   “i-adjectives” and “na-adjectives”
• Inflections of adjectives
• Verbs “arimasu” and “imasu”
• Comparative sentences
• Sentences in the superlative
• The tai form of verbs

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (shokyu 1) (Lesson 7 – Lesson 13)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo 1 Translation & Grammatical Notes (Lesson 7 – Lesson 13)  published by 3A Corporation

Bilingual Dictionaries

Oxford Beginner’s Japanese dictionary (Oxford University Press) 

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 1+, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to function at a basic everyday survival level (basic vocabulary, grammar and phonetics). Students should be able to communicate in and understand Japanese on a number of practical everyday matters.  Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach some authentic material will be enhanced.  Also, students should develop their ability of reading and writing sentences using simple kanji. Cultural awareness will be developed by using some topics such as traditional culture and entertainment in lessons.

Functions

• Asking something in a polite manner
• Giving an instruction to someone
• Encouraging someone to do something
• Offering to do something for someone
• Asking for permission  
• Expressing prohibition
• Describing that a certain action or motion is in progress
• Telling how to use a machine
• Talking about one’s experiences
• Talking about obligation

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Taking a taxi
• Family
• Visiting a doctor
• Body and illness
• Withdrawal of money from a cash machine
• Hobby
• Experience
• Traditional culture and entertainment in Japan
• Linguistic structures/ Phonetics
• Basic rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese

Grammar

• The te-form of verbs
• The nai-form of verbs
• The ta-form of verbs
• Simple Kanji  

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (shokyu 1) (Lesson 14 – Lesson 19)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo 1 Translation & Grammatical Notes (Lesson 14 – Lesson 19)  published by 3A Corporation

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 2, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to communicate in and understand Japanese on a number of practical everyday matters. Students should develop their ability of reading and writing sentences using more kanji. Cultural awareness will be further developed by using some topics such as positions in society and exchange of presents in lessons.

Functions

• Expressing ideas or giving information
• Quoting what someone says or said
• Giving direction
• Expressing a sense of goodwill or gratitude
• Asking for help

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Discussing a football match
• Telling direction to get somewhere
• At an estate agency
• Positions in society
• Road and traffic
• Clothes in Japanese
• How to address people
• Custom: Exchange of presents
• Linguistic structures/ Phonetics
• Basic rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese.

Grammar

• The plain style  (Polite style)
• I think …. …と おもう
• I say….. …と いう
• Noun modification
• When.. …とき、  …
• …（する）と、…
• Particle を+verb (verb of movement)
• The te-form + あげる/もらう/くれる
• Conditional Expression （…たら…）
• 漢字（かんじ）

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (shokyu 1) (Lesson 20 – Lesson 25)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo 1 Translation & Grammatical Notes (Lesson 20 – Lesson 25)  published by 3A Corporation
• Kihon kanji 500 Vol. 1  published by Bonjinsha Co.,Ltd

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 2+, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to communicate in a wide range of daily situations and understand Japanese in many practical issues. Students will be given more sophisticated written texts after their abilities of reading and writing are further developed. Cultural awareness and knowledge of Japanese life style will be further developed during the course.

Functions

• Explaining causes, reasons and motivations
• Asking for some advice
• Expressing person’s ability to do something
• Describing a state and appearance
• Explaining what one is planning to do
• Making suggestions or giving advice
• Expressing inference

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Signs
• Japanese rubbish collection system
• Asking for a favour
• Having lost a bag on a train
• Talking about your room
• Talking about your hopes, wants dream
• Horoscope
• Consulting a doctor
• Linguistic structures/ Phonetics
• Irregular rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese

Grammar

• …んです
• …していただけませんか
• The potential forms
• The potential verbs 「見える」＆「聞こえる」
• …し、…し
• …（し）ながら、…
• Intransitive verbs
• …ている、 …てある 、…ておく
• The volitional forms
• The Imperative & Prohibitive forms
• 漢字（かんじ）

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (shokyu 2) (Lesson 26 – Lesson 33)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo 2 Translation & Grammatical Notes (Lesson 26 – Lesson 33)  published by 3A Corporation
• Kihon kanji 500 Vol. 1  published by Bonjinsha Co.,Ltd

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 3, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to communicate in a wide range of daily situations and understand Japanese in many practical issues. Students will be given more sophisticated written texts after their abilities of reading and writing are further developed. Cultural awareness and knowledge of Japanese life style will be further developed during the course. Some of famous proverbs will be explained on the course.

Functions

• Asking for directions / suggestions
• Describing a cause and consequence

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Tea Ceremony  
• Planning a ski holiday
• Proverbs
• Health
• Incident
• Annual events
• Measurement, shapes and patterns
• Making an excuse
• Kimono
• Linguistic structures/ Phonetics
• Irregular rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese

Grammar

• …とおりに、…
• The conditional form
• …ように、…
• …ようになる ようにする
• Passive verbs
• Nominalising the phrase
• …て、… (Expressing a cause and a consequence)
• …かどうか、…
• Expressions for giving & receiving, reflecting a relationship
• 漢字（かんじ）

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (shokyu 2) (Lesson 34 – Lesson 41)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo 2 Translation & Grammatical Notes (Lesson 34 – Lesson 41)  published by 3A Corporation
• Kihon kanji 500 Vol. 2  published by Bonjinsha Co.,Ltd

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 3+, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to communicate in a wide range of daily situations and understand Japanese in many practical issues. Students will be given more sophisticated written texts after their abilities of reading and writing are further developed. Cultural awareness and knowledge of Japanese life style will be further developed during the course.

Functions

• Telling how you would like something to be done
• Talking about a hypothetical situations
• Giving requests at beauty salon or barber shop
• Conveying information one has obtained from another source
• How to cope with a situation

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Saving money
• Office supplies and tools
• Hair style  
• Protecting the earth
• Ideal partner
• Emergency situations
• Roots of Katakana words
• Onomatopoeia (擬音語・擬態語)
• Discipline
• How to make a formal telephone call
• How to write a formal letter

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

Irregular rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese.

Grammar

• …するために、…
• …（し）そうだ(conjecture)
• …すぎる
• …やすい / にくい
• …ばあい（場合）は、
• …のに、
• …ところだ
• …はずだ
• …そうだ
• …ようだ (conjecture)
• The Causative form
• Honorific Expressions ( Respectful / Humble/ Polite Expressions)
• 漢字（かんじ）

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (shokyu 2) (Lesson 42 – Lesson 50)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo 2 Translation & Grammatical Notes (Lesson 42 – Lesson 50)  published by 3A Corporation
• Kihon kanji 500 Vol. 2  published by Bonjinsha Co.,Ltd

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 4, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to communicate in a wide range of daily situations and understand Japanese in many practical issues. Students will be given a wide range of topics to discuss in the classroom. A large volume of written texts will be used after their abilities of reading and writing are further developed.  Cultural awareness and knowledge of Japanese life style will be further developed during the course.

Functions

• Asking something that is difficult to ask
• Showing gratitude or goodwill
• Finding a solution after asking meanings of words
• Explaining situations and giving apologies
• Leaving or receiving a message
• Asking a direction
• Obtaining permission to do something

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Japanese house
• Words from outside Japan (外来語)
• Analysis of  a questionnaire
• Maps

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

Sophisticated rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese.

Grammar

• てForm＋もらえませんか、いただけませんか
• Nの＋ようだ、Nの＋ようなN、NのようにV
• V（Dic）＋こと＋は・が・を
• ～たら、～た
• ～ということは～のことだ、～というのは….ということだ
• ….ように言う、注意する、伝える、頼む
• ～みたいだ、～みたいな～、～みたいに…
• ～（さ）せてもらえませんか、～（さ）せていただけませんか
• …ことにする
• …ことにしている
• …ことになる、ことになっている
• S（Plain Form）＋ということだ
• …の、…の？
• ～ちゃう、～とく、～てる
• ～（さ）せられる、～させる
• ～である（であるStyle）
• あ～、そ～(contextual demonstrative noun)
• そ～(contextual demonstrative pronoun: written)
• ～んじゃない？
• ～たところに/で
• …て…、…って…(quoting)
• ～って…(topic)
• ～つもりはない(negative intention)
• 漢字（かんじ）

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (Chukyu:Intermediate Level 1) (Lesson 1 – Lesson 6)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo Translation & Grammatical Notes (Chukyu:Intermediate Level 1) (Lesson 1 – Lesson 6)  published by 3A Corporation
• Intermediate Kanji Book (Kanji 1000 plus) Published by Bonjinsha Co.,Ltd

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 4+, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to communicate in a wide range of daily situations and understand Japanese in many practical issues. Students will be given a wide range of topics to discuss in the classroom. A large volume of written texts after their abilities of reading and writing are used during lessons.  Cultural awareness and knowledge of Japanese life style will be further developed during the course.

Functions

• Accepting or refusing an invitation
• Describing a person or thing with details
• Giving requirements
• Responding to some misunderstanding
• Providing or receiving a proposal
• Giving apologies after receiving a complaint   

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Saving
• Protecting the earth
• Ideal partner
• Emergency situations
• Discipline
• How to make a formal telephone call
• How to write a formal letter

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

Sophisticated rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese.

Grammar

• ～なくてはならない/いけない、～なくてもかまわない
• ～なくちゃ/～なきゃ（いけない）
• …だけだ・（ただ）… だけでいい
• …かな (sentence-final particle)
• ～あいだ、～あいだに、…..
• ～まで、…・～までに、…..
• ～た～ (noun modifier)
• ～によって…
• お～ますです
• ～てもかまわない
• …ほど～ない、…ほどではない (comparison)
• …はずだ
• …はずが / はない
• …はずだった
• ～てくる・～ていく (change)
• ～たら（どう）？
• …より   … ほうが… (comparison)
• ～らしい (reported speech / conjecture)
• …もの/もんだから
• ～（ら）れる(indirect passive: Transitive verbs)
• ～たり～たり
• ～っぱなし
• …おかげで、…・ …おかげだ
• 漢字（かんじ）

Learning resources

Books

• Course book: Minna no Nihongo (Chukyu:Intermediate Level 1) (Lesson 7 – Lesson 12)  published by 3A Corporation
• Other material: Minna no Nihongo Translation & Grammatical Notes (Chukyu:Intermediate Level 1) (Lesson 7 – Lesson 12)  published by 3A Corporation
• Intermediate Kanji Book (Kanji 1000 plus) Published by Bonjinsha Co.,Ltd

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 5, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to develop Japanese language proficiency by reviewing and grammar, vocabulary, kanji and idiom (kanyouku). This is a final preparation course before moving on to the proficiency level.

Functions

• Various activities to improve skills for Kanji reading and writing by using newspapers, magazines and course books.
• Various activities to improve skills for conversation, presentation and speech.  

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

Topics / themes in many areas to improve writing, reading, listening and speaking skills.

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

Sophisticated rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese.

Grammar

• Review of intermediate grammar
• Acquisition of advanced grammar

Learning resources

Books

• Course books: various text books including Minna no Nihongo and Translation & Grammatical notes (Chukyu: Intermediate Level 1) published by 3A Corporation are used.  Also articles from newspapers and magazines are used in exercises. 

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of level 5+, or equivalent experience.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students to develop Japanese language proficiency by acquiring advanced grammar, vocabulary, kanji and idiom (kanyouku). This level requires a good comprehension of complex Japanese.

Functions

• Various activities to improve skills for Kanji reading and writing by using newspapers, magazines and course books.
• Various activities to improve skills for conversation, presentation and speech.  

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

Topics / themes in many areas to improve writing, reading, listening and speaking skills.

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

Sophisticated rules of the pronunciation of Spoken Japanese

Grammar

Acquisition of advanced grammar.

Learning resources

Books

• Course books: various text books including Minna no Nihongo and Translation & Grammatical notes (Chukyu: Intermediate Level 1) published by 3A Corporation are used.  Also articles from newspapers and magazines are used in exercises.

Useful websites

In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.