ML1559: Elementary Japanese

School School of Modern Languages
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML1559
External Subject Code 101169
Number of Credits 20
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader DR Miho Inaba
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2022/3

Outline Description of Module

This is an intensive beginner’s language programme. The course is designed to enable students with no previous knowledge of Japanese to reach a level of lower-intermediate proficiency by the end of the semester, and to build towards the use of the language at a high level. Study focuses on the four major language skills

  • receptive skills (listening and reading)
  • productive skills (speaking and writing)
  • mediation skills (translation)
  • inter-cultural awareness skills (awareness of cultural diversity)

These skills, as well as the study of the grammatical and lexical patterns of the language are practiced and developed through classwork

On completion of the module a student should be able to

1.Read, understand and speak the Japanese language to a level comparable with A1-2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) and  levels N5-N4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test

2. Engage confidently and with appropriate grammatical correctness and spontaneity about topics that are familiar and routine in the Japanese language

3.Write coherent texts in Japanese on everyday topics with a good degree of grammatical and lexical accuracy, and using a good range of kanji, hiragana and katakana at beginner level.  

4. Read, understand and interpret beginner level Japanese material written in hiragana, katakana and kanji on specific topics relating to everyday life.

5. Recognise and reproduce approximately 250 kanji.   

How the module will be delivered

The module will be delivered through a range of interactive teaching sessions supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials – and may include, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.  

Independent Learning: You will be expected to spend a significant amount of time studying outside the class. Materials will be provided on Learning Central which will help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. You will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning vocabulary and linguistic structures, and by reading, watching and/or listening to material in the Japanese language. You will also be expected to prepare exercises and activities for the class, to write assignments and generally begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies. Independent Learning logbooks will be provided on Learning Central to help structure your language learning outside class time.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Subject-specific language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in the Japanese language at the appropriate level

  • The ability to use language creatively and precisely for a range of purposes and audiences
  • The abilities to extract and synthesize key information from written, spoken and other sources
  • A greater awareness of how languages (including the mother tongue) function
  • The skills to be effective, independent and self-aware Iearners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and linguistic skills to ensure progression
  • The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
  • Skills in intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, including a critical understanding of other cultures and practice other than one’s own
  • Enhanced skills in effective communication, presentation and interaction
  • Enhanced digital literacy skills

How the module will be assessed

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Students who fail the overall module will be given the opportunity to re-sit a synoptic assessment   during the resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Class Test 40 Online Test N/A
Class Test 60 Class Test N/A

Syllabus content

The course will focus on:

  • Introducing the fundaments of grammar
  • Introducing sentence structures
  • Building a range of vocabulary relevant to daily life, as specified in the European Common Framework of Reference, level A2
  • Introducing different registers
  • Introducing the cultural contexts of the Japanese culture
  • Making the most of independent learning and learning technologies

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