BA Japanese Studies / Course details

An intensive foundation course in Japanese for students with limited or no previous study of the language. Based on a core textbook, the course requires students to work on acquiring core knowledge of vocabulary, script and grammar and to utilise this in communication.  

Note that students are strongly advised to start learning the Japanese syllabic scripts hiragana and katakana before the start of teaching and students will be required to spend a good deal of time learning approximately 150 kanji characters and 800 vocabulary items in order to be adequately prepared for JAPA51022.  

Please note that there are heavy timetabling requirements for both Japanese and for laboratory-based science subjects. Attendance at dedicated catch-up and/or replacement drop-in sessions on Wednesday afternoons (details to be confirmed) may be required in order to allow students from across the university to cover all the materials adequately.

Classes may be complemented by timetabled support sessions but independent study is also key and students will be required to reflect on their own learning and to improve their language learning skills with the help and support of their tutors. It hoped that all learners will work with a Japanese language partner or partners where possible.

For new students starting their degree in September 2022 or thereafter, this unit is compulsory and as such requires a pass mark of 40% or above at the first sitting in order to progress to the next level of language in semester 2.  Students who fail to meet this requirement will be able to discuss their options with their relevant Programme Director and may be able to move onto the non-language degree award of East Asian Studies.

Available on: BA Japanese Studies and other programmes with Japanese as a major or minor component 

To establish the core skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. The emphasis is on acquiring the grammar, vocabulary and skills for communication and to serve as a basis for further study.

The course is based on a core textbook.  

Note that students are strongly advised to start learning the Japanese syllabic scripts hiragana and katakana before the start of teaching and students will be required to spend a good deal of time learning approximately 150 kanji characters and 800 vocabulary items to be adequately prepared for JAPA51022.  

Classes may be complemented by timetabled support sessions and clinics. Students will be required to reflect on their own learning and to improve their language learning skills with the help and support of their tutors. It hoped that all learners will be working with a Japanese language partner or partners where possible.

9 hours of tutorials per week (a combination of formal grammar teaching, writing skills, reading, and in-class practice and testing of reading, writing, listening and speaking with exercises (including group and pair-work)). There is a lot of directed self study and formative feedback is provided on written homework as well as in class. 

Please note that there are heavy timetabling requirements for both Japanese and for laboratory-based science subjects. Attendance at dedicated catch-up and/or replacement drop-in sessions on Wednesday afternoons (details to be confirmed) may be required in order to allow students from across the university to cover all the materials adequately.

All students have access to the Language Centre and should use its resources regularly.

Students should be able to read and write the hiragana and katakana scripts and approximately 150 kanji characters (by the start of JAPA51022 – see information under ‘content’ below).

Students should begin to understand themselves as developing learners and begin to engage effectively with the appropriate resources.

Students should begin to interact with native speakers through the medium of Japanese and begin to read and write clear basic text according to standard Japanese conventions. 

Students should begin to develop listening skills.

Students should start to show developing confidence in using Japanese and have established a firm foundation for further study. Students will need to relate themselves and their study methods to those of others in the class and communicate socially and professionally.

Resit Assessment

Feedback on progress with language learning is provided to students through a test of vocabulary and kanji in week 9, through corrected versions of written work, through comments on the workbooks and formative tests and in response to speaking activity in class. Students are also able to consult individually with language tutors in their office hours.

Set texts:

Banno E, Ohta Y et al Genki I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese (Tokyo: Japan Times, 3rd revised edition 2020) : (ISBN-13: 978-4789017305 )  

The workbook for Genki I (: (ISBN-13: 978-4789017312 ) must also be purchased.  

Students are also advised to have a grammar reference book: the suggested one is: Makino and Tsutsui, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar (The Japan Times, 1992), ISBN: 
978-4789004541.

Supplementary texts:

Kanji Look and Learn (Tokyo: Japan Times 2009) • ISBN-10: 4789013499 
• ISBN-13: 978-4789013499 
and the workbook • ISBN-10: 4789013502 • ISBN-13: 978-4789013505

Japanese Kanji Flashcards: 300 Beginner-Level Kanji Cards: 1 (White Rabbit Press 2010)

Language study is demanding, particularly because of the nature of Japanese script and a likely lack of relationship between Japanese and currently known languages. The study time required in order to achieve the learning outcomes may vary significantly according to individual learning styles.