Language modules focus on developing students' communicative competence in four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) to equip students with a working and flexible knowledge of the target language and a firm level of communicative competence and confidence. By the end of the module students will be equipped to understand and use Japanese with a degree of flexibility and a range to an intermediate language level (comparable overall to an upper B1 level on the CEFR).
The curriculum will focus on real-life communication as a university student studying in Japan, by using complex expressions in an appropriate style of speaking. This includes how to make formal requests, ask various permissions, and explain factual information of cities and towns. Students also read and listen to news articles to understand relatively familiar topics in newspapers. Various styles of readings are given such as formal letter, article and website providing factual information, for example, restaurant guide. Discussions take place in the class on the topic areas covered in the module.
Total Contact Hours: 30
Total Private Study Hours: 120
Total Study Hours: 150
Main assessment methods
In Course Test: Speaking (Max. 5 minutes) – 20%
Language Skills (Equivalent to 1,700 Japanese characters) – 40%
Cultural research and Writing (500 Japanese characters) – 40%
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework (Equivalent to 2,200 Japanese characters)
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 demonstrate a familiarity with Japanese characters equivalent to an intermediate level;
2 demonstrate a strong understanding of the main points of standard authentic materials on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, university and leisure;
3 express and exchange detailed information with an effective logical structure, demonstrating a flexible range of vocabulary and structures on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life;
4 demonstrate a systematic understanding and acquisition of detailed and coherent knowledge of aspects of the life and culture in Japan within the context of study.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Communicate complex ideas clearly and independently;
2 Demonstrate deeper intercultural awareness and understanding.
Students who complete this module successfully can progress onto WOLA5580 Japanese Upper Intermediate.
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