Aims

This module provides students with language competence in advanced Japanese, trains students in the fundamentals of Japanese translation (Japanese-English, English-Japanese) and offers students a basic level in business Japanese. Students will build upon the achievements made in Level C Japanese. Students will master vocabulary, grammatical structures, writing styles and spoken styles at an advanced level. By the end of the module, students will be writing confidently and naturally in a variety of written-Japanese styles, students will be able to read a vast range of real-world texts. Students will be able to move towards a career that builds upon the basic knowledge of translation techniques and students will have basic knowledge of business Japanese to develop further understanding and awareness of contemporary Japanese society.

Besides the goals state above, this module also aims at continuing to provide students with the necessary skills to become better language learners.

Outline Of Syllabus

In each week there are four contact hours which are divided as follows:

1. Reading real-world texts:. We shall read real-world texts covering a broad range of topics such as: Japanese language, current social and political issues, and Japanese history.

2. Business Japanese. You will learn how to read and write documents related to business work and you will master a specific vocabulary related to business Japanese.

3. Writing: You will develop skills in writing compositions, summaries, interviews, etc.

4. Tutorials for communication skills: You will develop listening and speaking skills.

Please note that the syllabus, the course content and the pace may be changed as necessary to reflect students' needs.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Key grammatical structures, vocabulary and kanji are practised using an integrated communicative approach in
practical classes delivered in seminar style. Oral and aural skills (i.e. speaking and listening) as well as writing and reading are practised throughout the course in task-based activities involving individual, pair and group work.

In order to ensure that 268 hours of independent guided study takes place, each contact hour is followed by
homework assignments . The homework will include:
- Preparations for readings on a weekly basis
- Writing assignments on a weekly basis
- Grammar exercises on a weekly basis
- Kanji practice on a daily basis
- Preparations for speeches and discussions on a weekly basis
- Listening exercises on a weekly basis
- Preparations and homework for Business Japanese on a weekly basis

There is a minimum homework submission requirement of 70%, with this percentage being calculated every 6 weeks.
Where appropriate, individualised formative feedback is provided (e.g. for writing assignments involving a creative element).

This module is taught and assessed mainly in Japanese. English will be used for the following activities: translation from English to Japanese and translation from Japanese to English.

* To improve skills to work in an online environment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment is designed in such a way as to test all the skills mastered during scheduled learning and teaching activities and individual study.

-Two written exams for translation in Semester 1 and 2 (20%) will assess students’ ability to translate from JPN to ENG and from ENG to JPN.

- One 90-minute written exam in Semester 2 (35%) on Reading / Grammar / Kanji characters will test students’ ability to read and write in the target language. This formal examination provides summative information to staff and student on student's achievement in reading / grammar/ Kanji writing skills in the module.

- One essay in Semester 2 (10%) will test students’ ability to write in the target language.

- One portfolio in Semester 1 and 2 for Business Japanese and listening (10%) helps students assess their progress and identify their strengths and areas for improvement, thus stimulating their independent and reflective learning skills throughout the year.

- One professional skill assessment in Semester 1 (20%) will assess student’s ability to produce and present their own output and to answer questions asked by a target language speaker directly and spontaneously.