BA German and Japanese

This is an advanced level language course which teaches receptive skills (reading and listening) and productive skills (speaking and writing) in Japanese. 

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.

Available on: BA Japanese Studies and Combinations involving Japanese with other languages and area studies degrees and BA Modern Language with Business and Management etc. 

Not available as a free choice – but if the level is appropriate the convenor may exceptionally admit an external student.

Building on students’ prior learning in JAPA51042 or for those at an equivalent level, this course aims to broaden students’ vocabulary (both spoken and written), hone their communication and analytical skills and deepen their understanding of grammar. There will also be translation exercises between English and Japanese. The module aims to prepare students for a period of residence in Japan by giving them the language skills for reading and for competent spoken and written communication. 

•    demonstrate control of approximately 1,200 Kanji characters

•    understand themselves as advanced learners and be able to engage effectively with the appropriate resources to negotiate understanding

•    express themselves orally in discussion and debate as well as in conversations on everyday matters and on a wide range of  topics relating to Japanese society and language.
•    show proficiency in reading authentic Japanese texts and reports and viewing and hearing TV and other audio and video material in standard Japanese and in some variants
•    write stylistically appropriate Japanese prose, as well as translate Japanese into appropriate English
•    have developed higher level skills in both close and gist reading
•    be engaging confidently with unedited language in a variety of genres and show proficiency in reading authentic Japanese texts
•    translate and use translation tools

•    show clear confidence in interacting with native speakers
•    feel well prepared for the year in Japan

Resit Assessment

• There is no set textbook for this course 

• However students will benefit from: 

Donna toki  dou tuskau/ Nihongo hyougen bunkei jiten [JLPT N1-N4]  

(Tokyo: Ark 2010) ( ISBN-10: 4757418868 / ISBN-13: 978-4757418868 ) 

Or a similar with good examples 

Other Recommended Resources 

Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar (Tokyo: Japan Times 1995) 

Using Japanese: a guide to contemporary usage (Cambridge: CUP 2000)