Japanese

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Japanese

The Japanese course is designed to improve the communication and comprehension skills of the student. It provides thorough instruction in all areas of the Japanese language and will increase both the confidence and capabilities of the learner. The course aims to provide the students with the skills and knowledge required for them to become proficient users of the Japanese language.

This course offers extensive instruction and practice of the four skills: speaking, reading, writing and listening. It provides a solid curriculum that covers all aspects of grammar, builds vocabulary, practices pronunciation and gives students a well-balanced variety of exercises and activities. Furthermore, learners will be expected to speak Japanese at all times, thus consolidating their speaking and listening skills.

The course takes students from Beginner level to Advanced. It is divided into seven different levels with each one covered by its own course book and tape.

Beginner
This level is designed for those students who have little or no knowledge of Japanese. It covers basic grammar and vocabulary that will give the students a sound platform on which to begin effectively learning Japanese. At this level the course focuses on the two language skills of listening and speaking. At the end of this level, students will be capable of performing simple greetings and making daily conversation.

Pre-Elementary
At this level, students are introduced to basic verb structures, adjectives, postpositions and present and past tenses. It also provides further practice for the student in listening and speaking. Students who complete this level will be able to use basic Japanese in everyday situations.

Elementary
This level introduces the Japanese tense system at a more complicated level. It expands future and continuous tenses and develops vocabulary of basic differential and honorific terms. It also introduces the writing and reading of hiragana and katakana. On completion of this level, students will be familiar with the fundamental structures of the Japanese language and will feel more comfortable using it in a social environment.

Pre-Intermediate
Here, the course expands upon the language, structures and functions studied previously, but at a more complex level. It will also introduce the skill of writing basic kanji. On completing this level, students will be effective and able communicators in Japanese, with a good level of confidence in their ability.

Intermediate
At this level, the focus is on function and the use of Japanese. Here, the course will concentrate on the correct use of more complicated differential and honorific terms. It also covers an extensive range of onomatopoeias and more elaborate postpositions. At the end of this level, students will be effective communicators able to manage complex sentences.

Upper Intermediate
At this level, students are introduced to idioms and proverbs. Students will also have the opportunity to practice their writing skills at a more advanced level. On completion of this level, students will be proficient communicators, capable of employing and understanding different uses of Japanese in a wide variety of situations.

Advanced
Having reached this level, students will have already been introduced to all areas of the Japanese language. The focus here is on perfecting their knowledge and increasing their understanding and use of the finer points of the language. At the end of this course students will be able to communicate fluently and understand Japanese in all situations, as well as being able to read or discuss articles, books and newspapers