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Japanese Intermediate One

Module description

Japanese Intermediate 1 is intended for those who have successfully completed FLJ1130 Beginners or who have a level broadly of GCSE A*-B grade (or equivalent). The module provides a systematic approach to building on essential grammar structures in a communicative context.

Japanese Intermediate 1 can be taken towards achieving ‘with proficiency in Japanese’, see http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/ 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module is appropriate for those who either already have or may quickly regain a level of proficiency in Japanese broadly equivalent to that of GCSE Grade A-B (or equivalent). This module is between A2 Basic User and B1 Independent User of the Common European Framework and aims to:  

• Consolidate the essential structures of the target language, developing both vocabulary and range of language structures thus equipping students with the linguistic tools to enable you to communicate effectively in everyday situations
• Further develop active and passive language skills, including comprehension skills in listening, productive skills in speaking, reading and writing
• Deepen your understanding and appreciation of the customs, culture and society of the regions/countries in which the languages are spoken and to develop your awareness of the general social and cultural background of the language

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of basic grammatical structures of the target language
• 2. Read and comprehend straightforward written and aural texts on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, study, leisure etc in the target language
• 3. Communicate effectively on a broad range of general topics which are familiar or of personal interest, both orally and in writing, and produce short descriptive and narrative texts, formal and informal letters

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Understand the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise your learning with guidance from the tutor
• 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, such as a reference grammar and bilingual dictionary, to consolidate your learning.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Make a presentation on a topic pertinent to everyday occurrences in your field and hold a conversation in the target language which may involve expressing opinions and making value judgements
• 7. Work productively with others as part of a team, within a set structure
• 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign culture

Syllabus plan

The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

Main Grammar:

• Kanji (139 characters)
• Adjective/Noun plus ‘no' particle, Adjective plus ‘naru', Conditional ‘ba', ‘nara', ‘tara' and‘to'
• Comparisons, Doing and asking favours using the te-form of the verb plus ‘ageru/kureru/morau'
• Uncertainty using ‘-de shoo' and ‘kamoshirenai'
• Intention and plans using the volitional form of the verb plus ‘-to omou', or the plain present form of the verb plus ‘tumori'
• Chronological order using ‘mae' and ‘-tekara'
• Occasion using ‘toki'Expressing reasons using the plain form of verbs and adjectives plus ‘n desu' and ‘node'
• Hearsay using the plain form of verbs/adjectives/the copula plus ‘soodesu'
• Desire using ‘hoshii' and verb stem plus ‘tai' and ‘tagaru'
• Excessiveness using the stem of the verb or adjective plus ‘sugiru'
• Limited degree using ‘shika' negative
• Preparation using the te-form of verbs plus ‘oku'
• Completion, regret and realization that a mistake was made using ‘te shimau'
• Obligations and social expectations, the negative stem plus ‘nakucha ikenai'
• Lack of obligation or social expectations using ‘nakutemoii'
• Two actions simultaneously using the ‘masu'-stem of verbs plus ‘nagara'
• Conjecture based on direct evidence using ‘mitaida'
• Talking about past experiences using verb ‘ta kotoga aru'
• Trying something using te-form of verbs plus ‘miru'
• Using noun-modifying clauses in the past and present
• Listing actions and states using plain format ‘shi'; implying a reason using the plain form‘shi'
• Listing representative activities using verb ‘tari' and verb ‘tari suru'
• Making inferences based on direct observations using the stem of verbs and adjectives plus‘sooda'
• Giving suggestions using ‘tara doodesuka' and ‘hooga iidesu'
• Particles ‘de', ‘mo' and ‘ya
• Potential verbs
• Verb volitional forms
• Verb transitivity pair

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Main course book

• Japan Times, Genki  1 and 2 Text, An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, The Japan Times, 3rd Edition
• Japan Times, Genki 1 and 2 Workbook, An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, The Japan Times, 3rd Edition

Recommended materials

• Dictionary: Martin's Concise Japanese Dictionary, Charles E. Tuttle Co
• Oxford Starter Japanese Dictionary, Oxford University Press

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE : https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11279 

Key words search

Japanese, intermediate