Aims

This module provides students with upper intermediate/advanced language competence to cope with
the linguistic demands of real life in general. Students will increase their knowledge of vocabulary
and grammatical structures at post-intermediate levels. They will be able to read a wide range of unedited 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):
Slide preparation and oral presentation skills in the target language will be taught as part of
professional skills. 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): online seminar
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 (1hr): online seminar
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 interactive approach in 5 hours of practical classes delivered in seminar style.

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

Listening skills are practised with weekly listening task. Students conduct reflective learning and their progress will be monitored weekly throughout the year.

Kanji and vocabulary tests will take place regularly once a week online and will be formally assessed. In order to ensure that 134 hours of independent guided study takes place, each contact hour is followed by homework
assignments relating to what has just been introduced/practised.

Reading and translation are taught online. In terms of developing professional skills, translation -- and reading comprehension as its component skill -- as a professional activity is nowadays conducted nearly exclusively at a computer screen with an internet connection, and typically as a freelance activity. As well as providing the necessary experience and guidance in working with Japanese texts in this kind of environment, online classes facilitate access to reference resources and tools, and quick and easy sharing of texts, translations and annotations, which are fundamental to the learning activities in every session.

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 presentations
- 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 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 exam on script/ vocabulary / grammar/ reading / writing provides a summary assessment.
This exam will test students’ ability to write in the target language. 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. Alternative method to the written exam is 24hrs Take Home exam online.

Regular online 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.

Knowledge of grammatical structures, vocabulary, and kanji are assessed in all assessed work (tests and formal examination.)