This intermediate Japanese language course aims to improve students’ command of modern spoken Japanese as well as increase their awareness of the culture in which it is used. The course will bring the students to a level where they are able to engage with real Japanese language media on a daily basis. The themes dealt with in the course will differ from year to year but may include such topics as natural disasters and the environment, youth and ageing, and sport and leisure.

The course aims to enable students to:

(i) Improve fluency in communicative skills in Japanese

(ii)Deepen students’ knowledge of the Japanese language by looking at it from within Japan

(iii)Demonstrate a formal understanding of key grammatical features

(iv)Attain a level of linguistic sophistication whereby students are able to give oral presentations on aspects of Japanese culture.

• Weekly tests (outcome ii,iii) 50%
• Individual oral presentations (outcome i,iv)20%
• Group interview project and final presentation (i,iv) 15%
• Final examination (outcome i,ii,iii,iv) 15%

The course will be taught over a period of six weeks in Japan. Classes will meet for four hours per day with an additional four hours needed for self-study and cultural activities.

Successful completion of JPNS1013 Spoken Japanese 2 and JPNS1015 Written Japanese B, or equivalent level of competence.

Incompatible with JPNS2012 Spoken Japanese 3 and JPNS2013 Spoken Japanese 4, and JPNS6525 In-country Japanese.

An introductory level of knowledge of Japan is assumed.

None. Authentic Japanese language materials and media will be used.

None