Japanese

What will the course Cover?

Basic language for getting around on a visit to Japan. Insights into culture and language and their relationship.

Who is this course for?

Absolute beginners or those who need a refresher course.

What skills, knowledge or experience do I need to start this course?

None. A good level of English will be helpful. Your tutor will try and use Japanese as much as possible but occasionally will also use English for grammatical input.

What should I be able to do by the end of the course?

Greet people and respond to greetings • Introduce yourself: say your name and ask others their names • Give information about yourself and understand what others say: where you are from where you live what work you do • Recognize and use the numbers 1 to 100 • Understand the writing systems. You will learn to recognize and begin to use Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries and you will also learn some basic Kanji (characters) • Identify some basic concepts of Japanese grammar • Understand stroke orders of basic characters

How is the course organised?

Lots of interactive exercises, based on the course book and other material which the tutor will provide. You will be asked to repeat phrases, build up little conversational exchanges, work in pairs and take a very active part in activities. We will use audio and video to help you learn.

What extra study or practice is expected outside of the class?

Your tutor will ask you to preview each lesson beforehand. This will help you enjoy each lesson. Work as much as you can with online courses such as www.bbc.co.uk/languages/japanese/ to practise with. Please make the effort to do a little practice (even 15-20 minutes) each day, as that is the best way of learning a language.

How will my progress be assessed?

"You will be encouraged to assess your own progress with help from your tutor, who will monitor your achievements by question and answer, some written work, quizzes, questionnaires, games and some more formal achievement tests. Record of your work will be kept in your Individual Learning Plan to help record the steps taken towards achieving your goals. "

What can I expect to go on to after this course?

Japanese beginners stage 2

Are there any other costs and what do I need to bring?

Please bring pen and a notebook/ paper to write on. Tutor will advise if a textbook is required and where to purchase it.

What support is available?

Please speak to reception if you require any additional help or support during the course. Details are available from the guide and from teaching or reception staff. "