2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Japanese language and culture courses

Basic Japanese 1 1QF

Academic unit or major: Japanese language and culture courses
Instructor(s): Yukari Yoshizawa / Azusa Morii
Class Format: Exercise (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): 5-6 Mon (W1-102(W111)) / 1-2 Thu (W1-102(W111))
Class: 1QF
Course Code: LAJ.J411
Number of credits: 010
Course offered: 2023
Offered quarter: 1Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 8, 2025
Language: English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This course is aimed at first-time learners of the Japanese language (Beginner 1). Students will learn the basic of Japanese grammar and vocabulary for everyday situations and also some information about Japanese culture and society. Students will learn Japanese characters, Hiragana and Katakana. Through a variety of communicative activities, students will be able to communicate in ordinary conversation and will learn how to express their own ideas using basic Japanese.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to:・Understand basic Japanese structure, grammar and vocabulary and will be able to use it on a daily basis. ・Speak in Japanese about daily activities including time and place, express opinions and comments using simple sentences.・Read and write Hiragana and Katakana.

Keywords

Japanese, basic level, beginner, conversation, communication, hiragana, katakana

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Students will gain knowledge of basic Japanese language structures and grammatical items to promote language proficiency. To prepare for class, students should read the course schedule and check up on new terms. Towards the end of every class, students are given assignments and are expected to turn it in in the next class.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Orientation and placement test	Make sure that you reserve a class which you want to take.
Class 2	Lesson 1: Self introduction, Greetings	This class will cover the following language focuses: N1 wa N2 desu N1 no N2
Class 3	Lesson 2: Asking names, nationalities, major, etc Asking prices Hiragana: a, ka, sa, ga, za lines.	N wa nan/dochira/ikura desu ka N1 mo N2 desu
Class 4	Lesson 3: Words for daily goods, food, etc. Hiragana: ta, na, ha, da, ba, pa lines.	Kore/Sore/Are wa N desu. Kono N1 wa N2(person) no (N3)desu. N1 desu ka,N2 desu ka.
Class 5	Lesson 4: Talking about daily activities Hiragana: ma, ya, ra, wa, n lines.	N o V-masu/V-masen(negative). N1 to N2
Class 6	Lesson 5: Telling the time Lesson 5: Telling the time Describing a daily/Weekly schedule Hiragana: double consonants, long vowels, contracted sound	_ji _hun desu. _ji ni V-masu. N kara N made
Class 7	Lesson 6: Talking about one's activities in past Hiragana review, Review (L1-L5)	V-mashita./V-masen deshita. (V past tense) N (place) e V-masu.
Class 8	Lesson 7: Making suggestions and inviting Hiragana quiz	V-masen ka. (suggestion) V-masho.
Class 9	Lesson 8 and 9: Talking about the existence or location of people and things Katakana: a, ka, sa, ga, za lines	(position) ni N ga imasu./arimasu
Class 10	Lesson 11: Talking about things and place using adjectives Katakana: ma, ya, ra, wa, n lines	N (place) e N/V ni V-masu. (purpose of movement) N (person) ni N o agemasu/moraimasu.(giving and receiving)
Class 11	Lesson 11: Talking about things and place using adjectives Katakana: ma, ya, ra, wa, n lines	N wa i-Adjective/na-Adjective. desu. (non-past/ affirmative)
Class 12	Lesson 12: Talking about things and place using adjectives Katakana review	N wa i-Adjective kunai desu. (negative) N wa n-Adjective dewa arimasen (negative)
Class 13	Lesson 13 and 14: Talking about what you want to do. Expressing preferences and skillfulness katakana quiz	N ga hoshii desu. (desire, wish) N o V-tai desu. N ga suki desu. (preference)
Class 14	Lesson 15: Comparing things. Agreeing and disagreeing and Review (L6-L15)	N1 wa N2 yori i-Adj/na-Adj desu. (comparative degree)
Class 15	Review and Examination (Lesson 1-15)	Review.

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Yamazaki Yoshiko, Doi Mitsuru Basic Japanese for Students Hakase1 3A Corporation ISBN-13: 978-4883194056

Reference books, course materials, etc.

None required

Evaluation methods and criteria

1) Assignment 20% 2) Final Examination 80%

Related courses

LAJ.J412 ： Basic Japanese 2

Prerequisites

First time learners of Japanese language, or students who have not reached "Basic Japanese 2"(LAJ.J412) level.

Other

You must reserve your seat of this class in advance using Japanese reservation system, https://js.ila.titech.ac.jp/en/Home.html. You will not be allowed to take a seat without your reservation.