CFLS1J51: Japanese Stage 5

• Successful completion of Japanese Stage 4, N3/2 Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or an equivalent qualification, subject to decision by the module coordinator. No higher entry Japanese language qualification permitted.

• None

• Any Core Language Modules offered as part of the BA Modern Languages and Cultures. Any language module offered as part of the BA Japanese Studies.

• To consolidate and widen existing knowledge and the skills of Japanese language and develop linguistic competence to a higher standard.
• To enhance communicative proficiency in Japanese, in both writing and speaking;
• To enhance communicative proficiency in Japanese, in both reading and listening
• To broaden the knowledge of traditional and contemporary Japan through various source of texts and materials in the target language.
• To develop intercultural awareness through critical discussion and interaction in the target language.

• There will be two one-hour seminars a week, which will be used to consolidate and develop grammatical and lexical knowledge as well as to practice oral, aural and writing skills.
• Course book materials will be supplemented with multimedia resources available online
• The development of the students' language skills (reading, writing, listening, spoken production and interaction) will be integrated into a framework focusing on various aspects of contemporary Japan (culture, politics, everyday life, social issues, etc.);
• Through the round table discussion and debate exercises, the students will learn to listen and understand other students views and make an argument critically in the target language.
• Speech preparation workshops will support students independent study and autonomous learning, and provide a virtual international exchange opportunity.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
• demonstrate the ability to carry out research in the target language and present an oral and written summary;
• demonstrate the ability to translate specific text being aware of some cultural aspect.
• demonstrate a sound broad knowledge and understanding of the main Japanese linguistic principles, structures and registers used in various types of documents (essays, newspaper articles, songs, adverts, websites, etc.).
• demonstrate a sound broad knowledge of particular aspects of traditional and contemporary Japan;
• demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of culture and society in Japan gained through the study of cultural products;
• demonstrate Japanese language ability (oral, aural and writing) equivalent to JLPT level N2/N1.

Subject-specific Skills:

• On successful completion of the module learners will be able to:
• write on a wide range of various contemporary Japanese issues, expressing and discussing views;
• enter unprepared into conversation and issues related both to familiar and unfamiliar topics;
• understand and report on the main points of clear standard speech and authentic aural passages on various topics;
• to prepare and deliver effectively a well-structured speech and communicate own message successfully.
• apply a range of grammatical principles;
• make effective use of reference material such as grammars and dictionaries;
• use a range of language learning techniques and skills effectively by independently developing strategies to extend their lexis and knowledge of grammar.

Key Skills:

• On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
• give an oral presentation (in the form of public speaking) in Japanese;
• write an essay demonstrating the ability to organise ideas in a logical and coherent sequence in sustained prose and critically analyse arguments;
• communicate information, ideas and arguments both orally and in writing;
• independently gather, process and reference information from a variety of paper, audio-visual and electronic resources;
• use IT effectively both as a means of communication and as an aid to learning.

• This module is delivered through seminar style classes;
• Contact time will be used to introduce new material and provide the students with high quality target language input from the module tutor and multimedia sources.
• Small group teaching will allow for the development of oral/aural skills as it offers all students the chance to participate in various communicative activities in pairs and groups.
• In preparation for each session students will be expected to revise new material and complete formative language exercises.
• The assessment scheme for this module is designed to test students' level of attainment in language production (speaking and writing) and reception (listening and reading). In order to reflect the continuous nature of the language learning process the module will be assessed by a combination of continuous formative and summative in-course assessment.

Regular homework/assignments will be given to the students to practise and consolidate what they have done in class and to prepare the following session, some of which will be submitted and marked as formative assignments and regular feedback will be given to the students accordingly.

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