Module MLAN1121: BEGINNERS' JAPANESE

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (Languages)

MLAN1121: BEGINNERS' JAPANESE

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

• To provide an introduction to Japanese Language in the four core language skills, i.e. listening, speaking, reading and writing and an introduction to the basic grammatical structures of the target language.
• To encourage a positive and confident attitude towards language learning.
• To develop and apply meta language and learning techniques appropriate to undergraduate level study.
• To provide a linguistic platform for communicative competence in Japanese.
• To promote cultural awareness.

Content

• This module allows students with no prior knowledge to rapidly acquire linguistic skills for the purpose of general communication.
• The module is also designed to provide a sound platform for foreign language acquisition by helping students to understand the core structure of the Japanese language through the study of grammar.
• Classes will be used to introduce and practise new vocabulary through interactive language exercises developing students’ independence and fluency at an introductory level.
• Guided and independent self-study will be an important element in order to achieve maximum exposure to the target language and to accelerate students’ learning pace.
• Cultural awareness will be developed through the study of selected background material. Functional topics may include:
• Talking about yourself (asking for and giving personal information, profession/ occupation, personal description, family, routines);
• Dealing with every day situations when visiting Japan as a tourist, such as asking for/giving directions or eating out, booking a hotel room, hiring a car, etc;
• Expressing likes/dislikes and agreement/disagreement;
• Talking about past and future events;
• Describing a house, a hotel, a town, a person, an object, a landscape, etc;
• Writing short letters and notes.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will:
• demonstrate an understanding of basic grammar and be able to communicate in the present, past and future tenses on familiar topics and activities;
• understand and elicit basic factual information in Japanese in simple everyday situations;
• understand and extract relevant information from course related written and aural texts;
• have an awareness of the main features of contemporary Japanese culture.

• By the end of the module students will:
• communicate in tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities;
• demonstrate an understanding of core meta language sufficient to undertake independent study of essential grammar and lexis;
• demonstrate a strategic competence that will allow them to understand the gist of conversations / texts in simple, everyday but unpredictable situations.
• describe aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need;
• write short notes and messages.

• By the end of the module students will:
• demonstrate the ability to identify their own learning needs and address them effectively;

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Seminars to introduce grammar points and paractise language skills
• Practicals in multimedia language laboratory to practise pronunciation and speaking and listening skills
• Summative test, oral and aural examination, summative final examination to ensure acquisition of basic knowledge

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Regular homework/assignments will be given to the students to practise and consolidate what they have done in class and to prepare the following session, some of which will be submitted and marked as formative assignments and regular feedback will be given to the students accordingly. Two formative tests (one per term) will take place in exam conditions Summative language tasks will also fulfil a formative role since full feedback will be provided to students

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University