Basic Japanese 4 2QE

Academic unit or major

Japanese language and culture courses

Instructor(s)

Yukari Yoshizawa / Midori Komatsu

Class Format

Exercise (Face-to-face)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

1-2 Mon / 1-2 Thu

Class

2QE

Course Code

LAJ.J414

Number of credits

010

Course offered

2024

Offered quarter

2Q

Syllabus updated

Mar 14, 2025

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This course is aimed at beginning learners (Beginner 4) who have studied the Japanese language for about 6 months. Students will learn the latter stage of basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary. This course focuses on acquiring natural Japanese depending on the situation, and a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and the Japanese society through language learning.
In addition to speaking and listening exercises, students will work on reading and writing. Through a variety of communicative activities, students will be able to communicate in a more natural way, and will learn how to express their own ideas using Japanese.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- understand basic Japanese structure, grammar and vocabulary , and use them on a daily basis;
- accomplish tasks and express their own ideas in Japanese using learned words and phrases;
- understand the system, manners and the way of thinking in Japanese society.

Keywords

Japanese, basic level, Japanese culture, communication

Competencies

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

Class flow

Students will acquire basic knowledge of Japanese language structures and grammar to promote their language proficiency through conversation practice and so on.

The instructor will provide the in-class feedback during group work and group presentation sessions sharing texts. The instructor will ensure students’ learning through weekly in-class and after-class assignments, group discussion, and whole group share.

Students are expected to read the course schedule and look up the new terms to prepare for the class. At the end of every class, students are given assignments and are expected to submit it by the due date.

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes each for preparing for and reviewing each class (including the time spent for assignments) by referring to textbooks and other course materials.

Textbook(s)

Beginner Japanese (2) Daichi Main text ISBN-13: 978-4883195077 \2,800　+ tax
Elementary Japanese 2 Daichi: Translation of Main Text and Grammar Notes. (English Ver. ISBN-13: 978-4883195213), (Chinese Ver. ISBN-13: 978-4883195305), (Korean Ver. ISBN-13: 978-4883195312) \2,100　+ tax

Reference books, course materials, etc.

None

Evaluation methods and criteria

1) Assignment 12% 2) Essay/presentation 8% 3) Quiz 10% 4) Final Examination and interview 70%
In order to take the final exam, students are required to:
1) have a minimum attendance of 60%;
2) deliver the presentations and write essays assigned in class.

Related courses

• LAJ.J413 ： Basic Japanese 3
• LAJ.J421 ： Intermediate Japanese 1
• LAJ.T415 ： Japanese kanji: Basic 1
• LAJ.T416 ： Japanese kanji: Basic 2
• LAJ.T411 ： Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 1
• LAJ.T412 ： Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 2
• LAJ.J422 ： Intermediate Japanese 2
• LAJ.J423 ： Intermediate Japanese 3

Prerequisites

For students who have successfully completed "Basic Japanese 3" (LAJ.J413) or the equivalent level, but have not reached "Intermediate Japanese 1" (LAJ.J421) level, as well as for students who are capable of reading and writing Hiragana/Katakana.

Other

You must reserve your place in the class in advance using Japanese class online system (http://js.ila.titech.ac.jp/~web). You will not be allowed to attend the class without reservation.