BA English Language and Japanese

An intensive foundation course in Japanese for students with some previous study of the language and a level of knowledge equivalent to that obtained at the end of JAPA51011 Based on a core textbook the course requires students to work on developing core knowledge of vocabulary, script and grammar and to utilise this in communication and as a basis for further study.  

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 comfirmed) 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. 

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.

Students should be able to:

• read and write the hiragana and katakana scripts and approximately 320 kanji characters
• understand the basics of speech and writing styles and register in contemporary Japanese

Students should:

• understand themselves as developing learners and engage effectively with the appropriate resource 

Students should:

• begin to interact with native speakers through the medium of Japanese using basic grammatical structures and begin to use commonly available dictionaries (including kanji dictionaries).
• have improved listening skills.
• be able to hand-write clear basic text according to standard Japanese conventions.
• be able to write a speech draft and exchange opinions.

Students should:

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

Resit Assessment

Set texts: 

Banno E, Ohta Y et al Genki II: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese (Tokyo: Japan Times, 2nd revised edition 2011) (ISBN-10: 4789014436/ ISBN-13: 978-4789014434)

Please note that the workbook for Genki II (ISBN-10: 4789014444 / ISBN-13: 978-4789014441)) must also be purchased.  

Students are also advised to have: 

1) A bilingual Japanese-English dictionary; the suggested one is: Oxford Beginner Japanese Dictionary 

2) A grammar reference; the suggested one is: Oxford Japanese Grammar and Verbs (Oxford: OUP 2003) ISBN-10: 0198603827 / ISBN-13: 978-0198603825 

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)  

The Japanese Language: An Introduction (OUP 1993)  

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.