Aims

This module provides students with upper intermediate/advanced language competence to cope with
the linguistic demands of real life in general. Students will build upon the achievements made during
the year abroad in Japan, increasing their knowledge of vocabulary and grammatical structures at
intermediate and post-intermediate levels. They will be able to read a wide range of un-edited
materials (e.g., literary works, newspapers, essays, magazines, etc.) dealing with a variety of topics
and to understand a wide range of spoken Japanese (e.g., news, TV dramas, etc.).

The aims of the module are:
1) To provide students with sufficient language competence to cope with the linguistic demands of
real life in general.
2) To develop an appropriate level of inter-cultural sensitivity in students, enabling successful
interpersonal communication in a range of different situations.
3) To continue to provide students with the necessary skills to become better language learners

Outline Of Syllabus

In each week there are six contact hours, which are timetabled synchronous teaching hours. They
are divided as follows:

1. Speaking and oral presentation (1 hr):
The topics of the textbook which are in social, cultural and linguistic nature will be
incorporated into speaking exercises in class to support better understanding of the reading materials
used for reading seminars and to facilitate ideas for essay writing and speech tasks.
2. Grammar (1 hr):
You will learn key grammar points and structures from the textbook which overlap items of JLPT
(Japanese Language Proficiency Test) n2. Output in the form of original sentence writing with
accurate use of grammar points is expected of you to demonstrate your understanding of the key
expressions.
3. Reading (1hr):
Reading materials including newspaper articles and other publications on cultural and social topics
from the textbook will be covered in the seminars to help you to acquire a wide range of vocabulary
and kanji script.
4. Extra reading and translation (1hr):
A wide range of un-edited materials including literary works will be studied in this seminar to provide
students with further reading competence in the target language.
5. Writing (1hr):
Four writing topics will be given as exercise over 2 semesters for students to acquire sufficient formal
writing skills in the target language.
6. Listening (1 hr):
We shall provide you with weekly listening task to enable you to develop your listening
comprehension skills.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Grammatical structures, vocabulary and kanji are practised using an integrated communicative approach in 6 hours
of practical classes delivered in seminar style.

Speaking, reading, translation and writing skills are practised throughout the course in task-based activities involving individual, pair and group work.

Listening skills are practised with weekly listening task sheets provided by the teahcer in class. Students'
progress will be monitored throughout the year.

Kanji and vocabulary tests will take place regularly once a week and will be formally assessed. In order to
ensure that 268 hours of independent guided study takes place, each contact hour is followed by homework
assignments relating to what has just been introduced/practised.

The homework will include:
- Preparations for readings from the core textbook and from material outside the textbook
- Sakubun (composition)
- Grammar exercises
- Kanji practice
- Preparations for speeches and discussions
- Listening exercises

There is a minimum homework submission requirement of 70%, with this percentage being calculated each
semester.

Where appropriate, individualised formative feedback is provided (e.g. for writing assignments and listening
assignments).

This module is taught and assessed mainly in Japanese. English will be applied for the following activities:
1. Explanation of grammatical structures;
2. Translation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written examinations in Semester 1 and 2 on script/ vocabulary / grammar/ reading/ writing will test students’ ability to write in the target language. This formal exams provide summative information to staff and student on student's achievement in script/ reading / grammar/ writing in the module, combined with listening comprehension and oral examination, provide a summary assessment. Students with certain disabilities or under special circumstances may be allowed to type their own answers provided that access to dictionaries and other sources for checking has been disabled.

Listening skills are assessed as part of the formal examination in Semester 2. This exam will test the students’ ability to listen and understand (authentic) audio sources and to respond appropriately in written or oral form. This test provides summative information to staff and student on student's achievement in listening in the module.

Speaking skills are assessed in the speaking examination in Semester 2.
This assessment will test students’ ability to produce and present their own output orally and to discuss with a target language speaker directly and spontaneously.

Translation skills are assessed as part of the written exercise in Semester 2. The translation assignment provides motivation for students' professional development and allows students to monitor their progress. This task will test students’ ability to translate the target language into English.

Regular kanji and vocabulary tests are necessary in order to allow students to acquire gradual improvement.
It also gives students the possibility to receive constant feedback on their performance.

Written exam contains: Kanji test, Vocabulary test, grammar test, reading unseen texts, written production.