Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

The students are expected to have completed Japanese language level B and met requirements from an intercalary year. In addition, Japanese language competency equivalent to Japanese Language Proficiency Test N3 is required.

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

This module provides students with upper intermediate/advanced language competence to cope with
the linguistic demands of real life in general. Students will build upon the achievements made during
the year abroad in Japan, increasing their knowledge of vocabulary and grammatical structures at
intermediate and post-intermediate levels. They will be able to read a wide range of un-edited
materials (e.g., literary works, newspapers, essays, magazines, etc.) dealing with a variety of topics
and to understand a wide range of spoken Japanese (e.g., news, TV dramas, etc.).

The aims of the module are:
1) To provide students with sufficient language competence to cope with the linguistic demands of
real life in general.
2) To develop an appropriate level of inter-cultural sensitivity in students, enabling successful
interpersonal communication in a range of different situations.
3) To continue to provide students with the necessary skills to become better language learners

Outline Of Syllabus

In each week there are six contact hours, which are timetabled synchronous teaching hours. They
are divided as follows:

1. Speaking and oral presentation (1 hr):
Slide preparation and oral presentation skills in the target language will be taught as part of
professional skills. The topics of the textbook which are in social, cultural and linguistic nature will be
incorporated into speaking exercises in class to support better understanding of the reading materials
used for reading seminars and to facilitate ideas for essay writing and speech tasks.
2. Grammar (1 hr):
You will learn key grammar points and structures from the textbook which overlap items of JLPT
(Japanese Language Proficiency Test) n2. Output in the form of original sentence writing with
accurate use of grammar points is expected of you to demonstrate your understanding of the key
expressions.
3. Reading (1hr):
Reading materials including newspaper articles and other publications on cultural and social topics
from the textbook will be covered in the seminars to help you to acquire a wide range of vocabulary
and kanji script.
4. Extra reading (1hr):
A wide range of un-edited materials including literary works will be studied in this seminar to provide
students with further reading competence in the target language.
5. Writing (1hr):
Four writing topics will be given as exercise over 2 semesters for students to acquire sufficient formal
writing skills in the target language.
6. Listening (1 hr):
We shall provide you with weekly listening task to enable you to develop your listening
comprehension skills.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students will have built upon the linguistic achievements made during the
Year Abroad in Japan. They will have consolidated and gained further knowledge and competence in
Japanese language and will have developed an appropriate level of inter-cultural sensitivity, enabling
successful interpersonal communication in a range of different situations

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:
1) Understand spoken Japanese, live or broadcast, on a wide range of topics of general and personal
interest;
2) Express themselves in areas of general and personal interest; to converse using a wide range of
expressions and register which are appropriate to the situation;
3) Understand various types of written Japanese, dealing with a wide range of general subjects;
4) Write well-structured Japanese, using a range of expressions, on topics of general and personal
interest;
5) Develop the ability to employ sophisticated self-study skills.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Grammatical structures, vocabulary and kanji are practised using an integrated communicative approach in 5 hours
of practical classes delivered in seminar style.
Speaking skills as well as writing and reading are practised throughout the course in task-based activities involving
individual, pair and group work.
Listening skills are practised with weekly listening task sheets. Students conduct reflective learning and their
progress will be monitored weekly throughout the year.
Kanji and vocabulary tests will take place regularly once a week online and will be formally assessed. In order to
ensure that 268 hours of independent guided study takes place, each contact hour is followed by homework
assignments relating to what has just been introduced/practised.
Reading and Extra reading are taught online as student feedback from last year showed that this worked very well.

The homework will include:
- Preparations for readings from the core textbook and from material outside the textbook
- Sakubun (composition) - Grammar exercises
- Kanji practice - Preparations for speeches and discussions
- Listening exercises
There is a minimum homework submission requirement of 70%, with this percentage being calculated each
semester.
Where appropriate, individualised formative feedback is provided (e.g. for writing assignments and listening
assignments).
This module is taught and assessed mainly in Japanese. English will be applied for the following activities:
1. Explanation of grammatical structures;
2. Translation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The final written examination in Semester 2 on script/ vocabulary / grammar/ reading / translation/ writing will test
students’ ability to write or type in the target language. Students may be allowed to type their own answers provided
that access to dictionaries and other sources for checking has been disabled. This formal exam provides summative
information to staff and student on student's achievement in script/ reading / grammar/ translation/ writing in the
module, combined with listening comprehension and oral examination, provide a summary assessment.
The writing skills are also assessed in the writing assignment. The writing assignment provides motivation for
independent learning and allows students to monitor their progress. This task will test students’ ability to write or type
in the target language. [for in-class tests: Students may be allowed to type their own answers provided that access
to dictionaries and other sources for checking has been disabled. ]
Listening skills are assessed as part of the formal examination in Semester 2. This exam will test the students’ ability
to listen and understand (authentic) audio sources and to respond appropriately in written or oral form. This test
provides summative information to staff and student on student's achievement in listening in the module.
Speaking skills are assessed in the oral presentation in Semester 1 and the speaking examination in Semester 2.
This assessment will test students’ ability to produce and present their own output orally and to discuss with a target
language speaker directly and spontaneously.
Regular online kanji and vocabulary tests are necessary in order to allow students to acquire gradual improvement.
It also gives students the possibility to receive constant feedback on their performance.

General Notes

N/A