Part-time courses for adults

Japanese for Beginners I

This course is aimed at absolute beginners and will introduce students to the Japanese language and culture.

Students will learn Hiragana and get ample opportunity to practise basic conversation.

The following topics will be covered:

• introduction to Japanese language
• greetings and daily expressions
• personal information
• numbers, time and day
• shopping
• travel and transport.

The course will also cover the very basic grammatical points you need at this level that will include the following:

• Noun and desu: future, present and past tense
• Motion Verbs: future, present and past tense

This course is aimed at students who have a general interest in Japanese and wish to be able to hold very basic conversation. No prior knowledge of Japanese is required as the course is for absolute beginners.

Not sure which level is right for you?  Find your level.

Learning and teaching

The emphasis of the course is on participation and students are encouraged to actively participate in class through various non-threatening forms of activities designed to stimulate communication.

Coursework and assessment

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved.

Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

You will not have formal examinations, but you may have reading and listening class tests. You may be asked to write short texts as homework.

Our assessments are flexible to suit the course and the student. The most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning.

Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

Reading suggestions

The course textbooks is: Japanese for Busy People I (Kana version), Revised 3rd Edition, AJALT, 2006.

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.