Students can study in a variety of ways depending on their programme requirements or individual needs. There are modules from beginners to upper-intermediate levels, and students may take the module that suits their language proficiency level. Classes are delivered in a student-centred, interactive and communicative way that enables students to practise language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in Japanese whilst covering useful and relevant topics.
With the Marugoto textbook series published by the Japan Foundation, Japanese modules focus on communication using Japanese from the very beginning. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning and recognise what they become able to do after studying each chapter by checking the textbook’s ‘can-do’ statements, e.g. talk about their hobbies.
Students will have 5 contact hours per week, consisting of 1x 1-hour lecture and 2x 2-hour seminars. Learning will be in small groups of between 20 and 25 students per group.
STAGE 1
Stage 1 Japanese modules are optional and worth 5 credits, which run for one semester. In these modules students learn basic words, expressions and structures of Japanese that they frequently encounter in daily life to become able to use them. They will also be introduced to some cultural features of Japan.
JPL001 is designed for those who have no or very little prior knowledge of Japanese and aims to take them to A1- according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
understand basic written and spoken language within the context of personal details on basic everyday topics;
talk about themselves and take part in conversations on basic daily-life topics, using familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases;
produce basic written texts on everyday topics using hiragana and katakana.
Topics studied in JPL001 include greetings and self-introduction, family and personal description, leisure, hobby and daily activities, shopping, and giving directions.
JPL002 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A1- according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A1. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
understand basic written and spoken language within the context of personal details on everyday topics;
talk about themselves and take part in conversations on basic daily-life topics, using familiar everyday expressions, and basic phrases and sentences;
produce basic written texts on everyday topics using hiragana, katakana and some kanji.
Topics studied in JPL002 include self-introduction and hobby, weather and seasons, going out, learning a foreign language, and staying healthy.
Stage 1 Japanese modules form the foundation of studying Japanese and they would be essential for those aiming to enrol in programmes such as International Business with a Language (IBwL) in Stage 2.
STAGES 2-4
In stages 2, 3 and 4 of study, Japanese modules are usually offered as year-long 10 credit modules and progressively cover a range of CEFR levels from A2 to B1. These modules are uniquely offered to those students enrolled in programmes which include a language such as IBwL as mentioned earlier.
Japanese modules at stages 2, 3 and 4 build on from JPL001 and 002, and students continue developing their skills in Japanese. They study covering the topics that are closely relevant to the university students gradually moving on to more general ones and finally to some business-related ones in the final year.
JPL103 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A1 according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A2-. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
understand simple written and spoken language within the context of everyday life;
take part in simple and direct exchanges of information on familiar topics;
produce written texts about everyday topics using simple structures in Japanese.
Topics studied in JPL103 include sports, house hunting, comforting food, paying a visit, asking for advice, and problems occurring during holidays.
JPL205 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A2- according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A2+. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
understand the main points of written and spoken language on familiar topics;
give a short, prepared presentation on familiar topics as well as exchange information in an informal discussion;
write short, comprehensible connected texts on familiar topics in Japanese.
Topics studied in JPL205 include meeting new people, favourite music, catching up with people, manga, martial arts, and useful tools.
JPL307 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A2 according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR B1. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
understand the main points and find specific information of written and spoken language on familiar topics;
give a prepared presentation on familiar topics, exchange information and briefly express opinions in an informal discussion;
write short, comprehensible connected texts on familiar topics with specific details in Japanese.
Topics studied in JPL307 include job hunting, working at a hotel, suitable greetings at different situations at work, and developing a product.
Along with the year-long 10 credit modules, there are several semester-long 5 credit modules on offer to students who are eligible to continue studying Japanese in stage 2 or above. These modules are a continuation of JPL001 and 002 in stage 1 and will provide students with further opportunities to study Japanese.
JPL003 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A1 according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A1+. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
understand short, simple written and spoken language within the context of everyday life;
take part in simple and direct exchanges of information on familiar topics;
produce written texts about everyday topics using simple structures in Japanese.
Topics studied in JPL003 include new friends, eating out, festivals, online shopping, places with history and culture, and environmentally friendly way of living.
EXTENDED STUDY SCHEME
Extended Study Scheme (ESS) is an exciting new opportunity for students who are interested in learning Japanese on top of the subjects they study for their degree programmes. Through ESS, students are able to study Japanese even though it is not part of their programme of study. The non-credit-bearing ESS modules are available for the students who would like to pursue academic interests in wider disciplinary areas to learn new knowledge and skills which would assist them in exploring academic potential as well as furthering career opportunities.
In the academic year of 2022-23, JPL002 will be offered as a pilot ESS module to provide both undergraduate and postgraduate students with an opportunity to study Japanese.
Students can study in a variety of ways depending on their programme requirements or individual needs. There are modules from beginners to upper-intermediate levels, and students may take the module that suits their language proficiency level. Classes are delivered in a student-centred, interactive and communicative way that enables students to practise language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in Japanese whilst covering useful and relevant topics.
With the Marugoto textbook series published by the Japan Foundation, Japanese modules focus on communication using Japanese from the very beginning. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning and recognise what they become able to do after studying each chapter by checking the textbook’s ‘can-do’ statements, e.g. talk about their hobbies.
Students will have 5 contact hours per week, consisting of 1x 1-hour lecture and 2x 2-hour seminars. Learning will be in small groups of between 20 and 25 students per group.
STAGE 1
Stage 1 Japanese modules are optional and worth 5 credits, which run for one semester. In these modules students learn basic words, expressions and structures of Japanese that they frequently encounter in daily life to become able to use them. They will also be introduced to some cultural features of Japan.
JPL001 is designed for those who have no or very little prior knowledge of Japanese and aims to take them to A1- according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
Topics studied in JPL001 include greetings and self-introduction, family and personal description, leisure, hobby and daily activities, shopping, and giving directions.
JPL002 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A1- according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A1. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
Topics studied in JPL002 include self-introduction and hobby, weather and seasons, going out, learning a foreign language, and staying healthy.
Stage 1 Japanese modules form the foundation of studying Japanese and they would be essential for those aiming to enrol in programmes such as International Business with a Language (IBwL) in Stage 2.
STAGES 2-4
In stages 2, 3 and 4 of study, Japanese modules are usually offered as year-long 10 credit modules and progressively cover a range of CEFR levels from A2 to B1. These modules are uniquely offered to those students enrolled in programmes which include a language such as IBwL as mentioned earlier.
Japanese modules at stages 2, 3 and 4 build on from JPL001 and 002, and students continue developing their skills in Japanese. They study covering the topics that are closely relevant to the university students gradually moving on to more general ones and finally to some business-related ones in the final year.
JPL103 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A1 according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A2-. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
Topics studied in JPL103 include sports, house hunting, comforting food, paying a visit, asking for advice, and problems occurring during holidays.
JPL205 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A2- according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A2+. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
Topics studied in JPL205 include meeting new people, favourite music, catching up with people, manga, martial arts, and useful tools.
JPL307 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A2 according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR B1. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
Topics studied in JPL307 include job hunting, working at a hotel, suitable greetings at different situations at work, and developing a product.
Along with the year-long 10 credit modules, there are several semester-long 5 credit modules on offer to students who are eligible to continue studying Japanese in stage 2 or above. These modules are a continuation of JPL001 and 002 in stage 1 and will provide students with further opportunities to study Japanese.
JPL003 is designed for those who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (equivalent to A1 according to the CEFR) and aims to take them to CEFR A1+. After completing this module successfully, students will be able to:
Topics studied in JPL003 include new friends, eating out, festivals, online shopping, places with history and culture, and environmentally friendly way of living.
EXTENDED STUDY SCHEME
Extended Study Scheme (ESS) is an exciting new opportunity for students who are interested in learning Japanese on top of the subjects they study for their degree programmes. Through ESS, students are able to study Japanese even though it is not part of their programme of study. The non-credit-bearing ESS modules are available for the students who would like to pursue academic interests in wider disciplinary areas to learn new knowledge and skills which would assist them in exploring academic potential as well as furthering career opportunities.
In the academic year of 2022-23, JPL002 will be offered as a pilot ESS module to provide both undergraduate and postgraduate students with an opportunity to study Japanese.