Module JPNS3012: JAPANESE LANGUAGE 4

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Japanese)

JPNS3012: JAPANESE LANGUAGE 4

Prerequisites

• Japanese Language 2 (JPNS2012) or an equivalent qualification, subject to decision by the module’s language coordinator

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• • Any MLAN-coded or MLAS-coded Japanese Language modules

Aims

• The focus of this module is on achieving higher intermediate / advanced level (JLPT: N2-N1)) proficiency in written and oral Japanese. It aims to develop in the student an ability to write and speak contextually-appropriate Japanese in expressing ideas on a broad range of topical issues.
• To enable students on graduation to function effectively in a Japanese working language environment with the appropriate linguistic and cultural competencies. .

Content

• Teaching will concentrate on the following:
• Advanced grammatical constructions and appropriate register forms (plain, -masu, honorific)
• Written composition and topic-based discussion related to contemporary Japanese culture and society
• Translation Japanese <> English
• News and current affairs comprehension (written and audio-visual)
• Oral practice

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module the students should have the grammatical and lexical knowledge required to pass the N2 or N1 JLPT examination: 1,000-2,000 kanji, 6-10,000 lexical items, all basic and intermediate grammar plus some advanced / literary grammatical structures.

• By the end of this module the students should be able to demonstrate competence in communication in contextually appropriate language, including the use of honorific language, in written or spoken form.

• By the end of this module the students should have a high level of linguistic skill and awareness, allowing them to present their ideas fluently, coherently and in an intellectually sophisticated manner, both orally and in writing, whilst at the same time showing sensitivity to cultural context in language usage.

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

• An integrated weekly programme of six contact hours in seminars and language classes plus individual out-of-class language learning and practice tasks. These involve composition in Japanese, translation between Japanese and English in both directions, listening and reading comprehension, and conversation.
• Teaching will be topic-based around cultural, social and political issues, enabling students to increase their vocabulary in a structured way through contextual usage.
• Formative assessment will be through weekly written compositions completed out of class with written feedback, and in-class oral presentations with oral feedback. In addition there will be a series of formal in-class tests, reflecting the requirements of the summative examinations, which will provide students with guidance on the summative examination requirements and on their own individual performances.
• The first formal formative assessment, in TW2, will be diagnostic, designed to check students’ initial language level and offer feedback on individualised remedial learning programmes where necessary.
• The summative assessments are structured to test students’ acquisition of all four language skills at the specified level.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

In addition to weekly written exercise tasks as specified by the teachers there will be formal formative assessments as below. These will be given a formal mark which will be recorded; marked scripts will be returned to students as below: Grammar & Composition test TW2 1 hour TW4; Listening Comprehension test TW9 1 hour TW11; Oral TW14 10 mins TW15; Comprehension/Translation test TW19 1 hour TW20 ________________________________________

■ 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