Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

Students are expected to have completed Level B Japanese (JPN2010) and Level C Japanese I (JPN4013).

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module provides students with advanced language skills to cope with the linguistic demands of real life in general. Students will extend their knowledge of post-upper-intermediate vocabulary and grammatical structures. They will be able to read a wide range of unedited material (e.g. literary works, newspapers, essays, magazines, etc.) on a variety of topics, understand a wide range of spoken Japanese (e.g. news, TV drama, anime, etc.) and produce oral output freely.

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 in students an appropriate level of intercultural sensitivity to enable 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

- Speaking and listening:
Social, cultural and linguistic topics will be incorporated into classroom speaking and listening exercises to help students better understand the reading materials used in the reading seminars and to provide ideas for essay writing and speaking tasks.

- Grammar:
You will learn key grammar points and structures that overlap with items on the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2. You will be expected to produce output in the form of original sentences with accurate use of grammar points to demonstrate your understanding of key expressions.

- Reading:
Reading materials including newspaper articles and other publications on cultural and social topics will be covered in seminars to help you acquire a wide range of vocabulary and kanji script.

- Translation:
A wide range of un-edited materials will be studied to give students further comprehension skills in the target language.

- Writing:
Two writing topics are given as practice to enable students to acquire sufficient formal writing skills in the target language.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students will have consolidated and gained further knowledge and competence in Japanese language and will have developed an appropriate level of inter-cultural sensitivity, enabling successful interpersonal communication in a range of different situations.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:

1) Understand spoken Japanese, live or broadcast, on a wide range of topics of general and personal
Interest.
2) Express themselves in areas of general and personal interest; to converse using a wide range of
expressions and register which are appropriate to the situation.
3) Understand various types of written Japanese, dealing with a wide range of general subjects.
4) Write well-structured Japanese, using a range of expressions, on topics of general and personal
Interest.
5) Develop the ability to employ sophisticated self-study skills.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Grammar structures, vocabulary and kanji are practised using an integrated communicative approach in practical, seminar-style classes.

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

Kanji and vocabulary exercises will be given online on a regular basis. To ensure that 134 hours of independent guided study takes place, each contact hour will be followed by homework related to what has just been introduced/practiced.

The homework will include
- Preparation for readings from the core textbook and non-textbook material
- Sakubun (composition)
- Grammar exercises
- Kanji practice
- Speech and presentation preparation
- Listening exercises

There is a minimum homework submission requirement of 70%, with this percentage calculated at the end of the semester.

Individual formative feedback will be provided where appropriate (e.g. for writing and grammar exercises).

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

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written examination tests students' ability to write in the target language. This formal examination provides staff and students with summative information on students' achievement in Kanji, vocabulary, reading, grammar and writing in the module.

Speaking skills, combined with listening comprehension, are assessed in the speaking examination.
This examination tests students' ability to orally produce and present their own output and to discuss directly and spontaneously with a speaker of the target language.

Regular online kanji and vocabulary exercises are required to allow students to build up a portfolio of progress. This also allows students to receive constant feedback on their performance.

Writing/translation skills are also assessed as part of the portfolio. The tasks provide motivation for students' professional development and allow students to monitor their progress.

The written exam includes: Kanji test, Vocabulary test, Grammar test, Reading of unseen texts, Writing production.

General Notes

N/A