Undergraduate Course: Japanese Language Upper Intermediate (ASST08068)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is a continuation of Japanese Language Mid-Intermediate, and the sixth level of SCQF Level 8 Pre-Honours Japanese Language courses (1. Beginner; 2. Post Beginner; 3. Pre-Intermediate; 4. Lower Intermediate; 5. Mid-Intermediate). This course is aimed at students who began their studies at Edinburgh with prior knowledge of Japanese language and provides further intensive language work during the second year. Teaching will be aimed at enabling students to speak, read and write Modern Japanese at upper intermediate level of the language, equivalent to Japanese Language Proficiency Test level between N3 and N2, or lower B2 level of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The course enables students to become confident independent learners and is intended particularly for the third-year Japanese Honours Degrees as well as those who wish to undertake non-compulsory study abroad in Japan and need to attain the level of CEFR B2 in preparation for this. It requires a large amount of independent study, including the project work.
This course is intended primarily for students taking Japanese Honours and priority will be given to those students when spaces are limited.
This course is not available to native or near-native speakers of Japanese, or complete beginners. If in doubt, contact the Course Organiser.
A placement test and questionnaire on students' background in Japanese language studies will be conducted in the first class. |
| Course description |
Japanese Language Upper Intermediate will continue to cover all four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) to progress to the final stage of intermediate level Japanese.
This course covers the followings aspects:
- receptive skills (reading and listening) for working with primary source materials in Japanese, such as comprehending complex, authentic texts and audio visuals of both concrete and abstract topics in the field of Japanese culture and society.
- productive skills (speaking and writing) for stating opinions in both formal writing (essays) and oral presentations.
This course also helps students to pursue wider socio-cultural knowledge for effective communication in various situations, both formal and informal, with a degree of fluency and spontaneity.
The course, in both the language classes and the tutorials, will cover all aspects of language learning, based on the main textbook and accompanying workbooks. These classes are expected to be supplemented by individual study.
There will be tests and quizzes throughout the year, as well as oral activities and writing assignments. Students are also expected to do a set of group work exercises with a peer feedback element.
Students should be sure to read the additional class delivery information before enrolling on this course.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Essential textbook and workbooks:
Tobira, Gateway to Advanced Japanese: £42.99; Tobira Grammar Workbook: £28.50; Tobira Kanji Workbook: £28.50 (all of them are used in the previous courses).
Recommended textbooks for self-study for kanji characters: Kanji Look and Learn Textbook: £23.50; Kanji Look and Learn workbook: £15.50)
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Completed the lower to mid-intermediate level of Japanese (equivalent to JLPT N3 or CEFR B1) |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 15 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 55,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
139 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
40 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
20 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Degree exam (60%): 2 hour written paper (40%) in December / May diet, Practical exams (20%)
Course work (40%): tasks, tests, assignments
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| Feedback |
Feedback is an essential element of all aspects of the course. Students will receive timely and detailed feedback on formal homework assignments and class tests. They will also receive informal feedback throughout the semester on performance in classes. They should make use of both forms of feedback to help them see where they are doing well, as well as areas which need improvement. Effective use of feedback will help maximise performance in final and degree examinations. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- use the upper-intermediate level of the language, equivalent to Japanese Language Proficiency Test level between N3 and N2, or Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level between B1 and B2.
- understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation.
- interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
- produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
- work both independently and in a team as a successful language learner in preparation for their year abroad.
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Reading List
Essential:
1. TOBIRA Gateway to Advanced Japanese Learning Through Content and Multimedia
Authors: Mayumi Oka, Michio Tsutsui, Junko Kondo, Shoko Emori, Yoshiro Hanai, Satoru Ishikawa
Publisher: Kuroshio Publishers, ISBN: 978-4-87424-447-0 C0081, 13/07/2009.
2. Power Up Your Kanji- 800 Basic Kanji as a Gateway to Advanced Japanese (TOBIRA Gateway to Advanced Japanese series)
Authors: Mayumi Ota, Satoru Ishikawa, Junko Kondo, Michio Tsutsui, Yoshiro Hanai
Publisher: Kuroshio Publishers, ISBN: 978-4-87424-487-6 C0081, 11/08/2010.
3. Tobira, Gateway To Advanced Japanese : Grammar Power Exercises for Mastery(TOBIRA Gateway to Advanced Japanese series)
Authors: Shoko Emori, Yoshiro Hanai, Satoru Ishikawa
Publisher: Kuroshio Shuppan. ISBN: 9784874245705, 2012.
Recommended:
1. Kanji Look and Learn Textbook:
Authors: Eri Banno, Yoko Ikeda, Chikako Shinagawa, Kaori Tajima, Kyoko Tokashiki
ISBN: 9784789013499, Publisher: Japan Times Published: May 2009.
2. Kanji Look and Learn Workbook
Authors: Eri Banno, Yoko Ikeda, Chikako Shinagawa, Kaori Tajima, Kyoko Tokashiki
ISBN: 9784789013505, Publisher: Japan Times Published: June 2009.
3. Intermediate Kanji Book VOL.1 (Rev. 3rd Ed.)
Authors: Chieko Kao et al.
Publisher: Bonjinsha
ISBN-10: 4893588109
ISBN-13: 978-4893588104 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Personal and intellectual autonomy: Self-awareness and reflection; independent learning and development; creative and inventive thinking, knowledge integration and application
Personal effectiveness: Planning, organising and time management; team working; assertiveness and confidence; flexibility.
Communication: Interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication, presentation. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Fumiko Narumi-Munro
Tel: (0131 6)50 6971
Email: F.Narumi-Munro@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Vivien MacNish Porter
Tel: (0131 6)50 3528
Email: vivien.macnish-porter@ed.ac.uk |
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