JPNS 1010 Beginning Japanese I

Course Objectives

• To acquire the sounds of the Japanese language.
• To acquire introductory grammar and its functions.
• To acquire Hiragana and Katakana.
• To develop communicative skills using the vocabulary and grammar introduced.
• To develop strategies for learning Kanji. (Approximately 100 kanji will be introduced).
• To gain knowledge of the culture as it relates to linguistic information introduced.

Textbook and Reference Books

*Required*

• Yookoso! An Invitation to Contemporary Japanese by Yasu-hiko Tohsaku, and accompanying Workbook/ Lab Manual
• Audiotapes to accompany Yookoso! (Make copies at ALTEC)
• Basic Kanji Book Vol. I by Kano, et al.
• Course Packet

*Recommended*

• Kanji & Kana by Hadamitzky and Spahn
• Illustrated Japanese Characters by Japan Travel Bureau, Inc.
• Japanese English Learners Dictionary by Kenkyu-sha
• Kenkyusha's Furigana English-Japanese Dictionary

Requirements and Evaluation

This is an objective-based, skill development class. There is no curving of grades.

Class Participation and Contribution 10%
Assignments 10%
Three teaching Projects 10%
Internet Project 3%
Kanji Project 7%
Five Tests for Getting Started 15%
Three Chapter Tests 40%
Final Exam 5%

No make-up tests. All deadlines are final. Absence must be communicated in advance. You should expect assignments in addition to the ones below.

Preparation for Class and Participation/Contribution

Follow the daily study guide and deadlines diligently. You are expected to have studied what is listed for each class hour in the daily study guide. In addition, you should listen to the CD that accompanies the textbook before you come to class. The class time will be spent in practicing what you have previewed. >It is your responsibility to know all new vocabulary, grammar, expressions, and culture before coming to class. If you are an average language learner, you are expected to put in 2 hours at home per class hour.

Many activities in class will be group work. Learn to be a responsible and effective team player. Some of you may have already been exposed some of the materials covered in this course. If this course is a review for you, please refrain from answering until other students have had a chance to come up with an answer. Think what helps your classmates learn by themselves.

Reading and Writing Assignments

There will be two reading and writing assignments assigned for each chapter. Details on the assignments can be found at the end of the chapters in the textbook. Each assignment should be completed on a separate sheet. Please see the daily study guide for due dates.

Teaching Projects

The best way to learn something is by teaching it. You are expected to design a 10 minute-review activity focusing on one topic for each chapter. You do not teach anything new; your job is to review a certain topic by having the class actively participate in an activity. Here are the suggested steps to follow:

1. Choose a topic.
2. Find an activity that reviews the topic: Is it vocabulary review, grammar/pattern review or function review?
3. Which skills are you going to utilize: reading, writing, listening, speaking, or a combination? Are the skills you are using suitable for your goal?
4. Write out the procedure and instructions. This process will clarify your thinking. Remember, you have 10 minutes.
5. Make a handout/worksheet, if necessary.
6. Check the accuracy of the handout.
7. Preferably, try your plan on someone else.
8. Turn in the proposal (procedure/instructions) and whatever handout you have for inspection and suggestions.
9. Make up a short, do-it-yourself quiz to test if your objective has been achieved.

Kanji Project

Beginning with week 6, practice one lesson from Basic Kanji Book every week at your own pace. Check your answers by yourself, and then turn it in on scheduled days.

Make your own Kanji test; you will take it at the end. You will get some samples later.

Workbook

Listening comprehension activities are required. Your answers will be checked. Selected written exercises will be assigned. Bring it to class every day.

Internet Project

Go to www.sabotenweb.com/bookmarks/language.html and locate any exercises you find interesting or pertain to material covered in class. Prepare for a report on what you find based on the Internet project handout.

You will learn how to word-process Japanese. You are expected to send e-mail to a Japanese person twice this term.

Packet

The Course Packet contains handouts and flashcards. Please bring these items to each class session.