Japanese 5

Key information

Status
Module not running
Module code
155901255
FHEQ Level
6
Credits
30

Module overview

This module aims to develop a highly proficient level of interactional competence in both productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/listening) skills in Japanese. In addition to the four skills mentioned above, mediation skills such as translation to and from Japanese/English, and oral-written summary will also be included for further development to engage in a wide range of written texts with complexity. At the end of the module, students should be able to 1) communicate with authentic materials; 2) express their opinions on the topics studied with relative fluency and ease; 3) deepen their understanding of the Japanese society and its people and 4) develop skills in critical analysis of current issues that Japanese society faces. The students are also encouraged to raise cultural awareness by expressing interpretations of cultural assumptions in their own and in the target language in intercultural communication. At the end of this module students are expected to reach the proficiency level equivalent to (early) C1 of CEFR.

Prerequisites

155901346: Japanese 4 (or equivalent).

Procedure

Please note that online registration alone will not give you an automatic right to attend the module. You are required to fill in the Registration form. You can download the Registration form here . Please submit it to Japanese 5 module convenor, Dr. Seiko Harumi ( sh96@soas.ac.uk , Room 367). In order to place you in the appropriate level of language module, you are required to take a placement test on 24 September 2019, in room B103 (Brunei Gallery), 9.30am-11:00am.

Which level am I?

The following sample tests (1 to 4) are a reading comprehension of the final examination in each module. They should give you some ideas as to which module you will be taking.

  1. If you understand the sample test 1 with relative ease you will be ready to attend Japanese 2 .
  2. If you understand the sample test 2 with relative ease you will be ready to attend Japanese 3.
  3. If you understand the sample test 3 with relative ease you will be ready to attend Japanese 4.
  4. If you understand the sample test 4 with relative ease you will be ready to attend Japanese 5 .

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

At the end of this modules students should be able to:

  1. understand a wide range of demanding long texts, such as newspapers, reports, and on-line articles and recognise implicit meanings
  2. express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expression in their own speech or in group-interaction such as debates, interviews, and presentations
  3. use language flexibly and effectively, and relate own contribution skilfully to those of other speakers for social and academic purposes in the activities such as informal and formal discussions and presentations
  4. produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns and cohesive expressions, underlining the relevant current issues
  5. produce the text supporting own points of view at some length with reasoning in essays, summary-writing, opinion statements on specific social and cultural issues
  6. demonstrate a wide range of knowledge and critical understanding of the cultures and societies of Japan through presentation, essay writing and discussions.

Workload

Total of 20 weeks teaching with 3 hours classroom contact per week - 2 hours tutorial and 1 hour tutorial.

Scope and syllabus

Social and cultural issues in Japan - wider and updated current issues as topic will be added (eg. equality and diversity of foreign nationals in Japan, online gaming addiction, depopulation, environmental issues, AI)

Method of assessment

One three-hour written examination (50%), an oral presenation (10%);  end-of-term test (10%); portfolio (30%).

Suggested reading

There is no recommended reading list but students will be referred to the following materials, which will be provided by the department when necessary:

  • Asahi shinbun ronsetsu iinkai , Tensei jingo, Asahi shinbun sha M.Kaya and A Tsuda (1994),
  • Nihon o kangaeru itsutsu no kadai, Suri e nettowaku, H.Ito, Y.Mimaki etc. (1990),
  • Asahishinbun de nihon o yomu, Kuroshio shuppan M.Kaya (1998),
  • Nihonshakai Tanken, Suri e nettowaku, S.Anodo tec, Topikku ni yoru nihongo sougo enshu, Suri e nettowaku,
  • Akira Miura & Yasuko Ito Watt (2001), Nihon o shirou: People who played important roles in Japan's Modernization. ALC
Reference books (grammar)
  • Makino, S. and M, Tsutsui(1995), A dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar ,
  • The Japan Times Kanji Dictionary

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules