JPNS 2110
Intermediate Japanese I

OVERALL OBJECTIVES

This is the third of the four basic courses, and the first intermediate semester. Intermediate level language learning is drastically different from that for beginning level. Here are some of the things you must aim to accomplish:

1. Create with the language by combining and recombining learned elements
2. Initiate, minimally sustain, and close in a simple way basic communicative tasks
3. Ask and answer questions

These are contrasted with beginning Japanese:

• Communicate minimally with learned material

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To acquire listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills at an intermediate level in colloquial and contemporary Japanese, in topics and situations such as Travel, Home, Motor Transportation, and Body and Health.
• To acquire grammar, vocabulary, and expressions as well as communication and interpersonal skills that are necessary and relevant to function appropriately in Japanese in topics and situations listed above.
• To continue developing effective learning strategies in all skills and in the study of Kanji.
• To continue developing general awareness for language learning.

TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER STUDY HELP

Required:

• Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku, Yookoso!: Continuing with Contemporary Japanese (Main Textbook, Lab Manual/Workbook, and CD or Tapes)
• Kano et al. Basic Kanji Book, Vol. 2 Bonjinsha
• Reading Packet prepared by the instructor, available immediately at the UMC Bookstore

Recommended:

E-J/J-E Dictionaries:

• Kenkyusha, Japanese-English Learners Dictionary
• Makino et al, Kodansha's Basic English Japanese Dictionary

Grammar Reference:

• Makino & Tsutsui, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
• Makino & Tsutsui, A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar

Kanji Dictionaries:

• Heisig, ed., The New Nelson's Japanese-English Character Dictionary
• Halpern, The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary

Kanji Exercise Books:

• Hadamitzky & Spahn, Kanji & Kana (text and workbook)
• Kano et al, Basic Kanji Book Vols. I & II
• Kanji Text Research Group, 250 Essential Kanji for Everyday Use, Vols. I & II

REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

1. Participation and contribution (including spot quizzes, additional assignments) 20%
2. Chapter exams (3) 20%
3. Chapter quizzes* 5%
4. Chapter kanji quizzes* 5%
5. Final exam 15%
6. Self-created exercises (5 formative, 4 summative) 10%
7. Reading assignment** 10%
8. Kanji project 10%
9. Yookoso! reading & writing homework 5%
10. Term Project 5%

*Yookoso! Chapter and Kanji quizzes may be re-taken as often as you wish. You must make arrangements with your instructor at least one day prior to re-taking the quiz.
** Read the detailed instruction on this assignment later in this syllabus.

 In addition, submit the following:

 Contract, typed and signed (due Week One)
 Contract follow-up, typed and signed (due on or before December 13)
 Portfolio: Due on or before December 13. No late turn-ins accepted. Include the following:

• Nine (9) self-created exercises, all inspected and signed by the instructor
• Reading assignments, all inspected and signed by the instructor
• Term project proposal and progress report, both signed by the instructor, and any product/log.
• A reflective paragraph for each of the following categories of activities:
1. Class activities
2. Quizzes
3. Chapter exams
4. Self exercises
5. Reading packet assignments
6. Kanji assignments
7. Yookoso! homework
8. Term project
9. Survey on the use of the computer classroom (form provided)

Note: The organization and neatness of the portfolio will be assessed as part of your Participation and Contribution grade.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE COURSE

Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku, Yookoso!: Continuing with Contemporary Japanese (Main Textbook, Lab Manual/Workbook, and CD or Tapes)

• On the first page of each chapter there is a list of goals. Read them and try to think of what you need to do to achieve each goal.
• Vocabulary Section: Each section (A, B, or C) begins with a list of core vocabulary for the topic/task. There may be one or two more sets of vocabulary in the same section. All new vocabulary is taped. It is crucial that you work hard to remember the new vocabulary before you come to class for interactive exercises. Train your vocal muscles AND mind by going over the list with the CD. It is important that you feel comfortable saying the words, not just recognizing them.
  
  In addition, it is recommended that you develop your own thesaurus, so to speak. Each person's needs are different, and each one of you should have an individualized set of active vocabulary. Keep a small notebook with you at all times, and add new and useful vocabulary to it at every opportunity.
  
  
• Grammar Section: Read the grammar explanation and sample sentences carefully. Do the assigned drills from the book and exercises from the workbook with the CD or tape. You are expected to come to class having read the grammar point(s) for the day and done the drills.
  
  Note: The CD that comes with the textbook has vocabulary, drills, dialogs, and listening exercises from the book. The tape to go with the workbook will be kept in the A/V lab at the ALTEC on reserve. You may take a 60-min. blank cassette tape to the lab and make your own copy.
  
  
• Activity Section: Some activities are grammar drills, and they should be done at home in conjunction with reading the grammar rules. Other activities are interactive exercises on the new grammar and vocabulary. Preview them at home with the CD where applicable so that the class time is effectively and efficiently spent.
• Language and Culture Notes: Read them carefully and thoroughly. They are just as important as the "regular" content.
• Language Functions and Situations. These are the culminative activities for the chapter. Practice the dialogs with the CD a few times, repeating them progressively without the script. This is where you practice in earnest the first of the three major intermediate objectives: Create with the language by combining and recombining learned elements.
• Yookoso! Reading and Writing exercises. Turn them in on time.
• Listening exercises. These are simulated authentic listening tasks. You may do the exercises in advance with the CD, or you may do them again after we go over them in class. The more you do these kinds of listening practice, the better your overall proficiency becomes.
• Workbook/Lab Manual. On paper you are required to study two hours at home for each class hour. We will, however, leave it up to you how you allocate your time for Japanese study. It is not as much the clock time as the quality of your focused, concentrated mental activity that matters. You have to prioritize your activities. Do 3-4 (out of 10 or 15) in each assigned exercise, to make sure you have learned the particular grammar point or structure. The key to all exercises, both in the textbook and workbook, will be provided upon request, so all homework and preparation can be self-checked.
• A copy of the audio tapes for both the textbook and workbook will be on reserve at the ALTEC A/V lab. You may take a blank cassette (60min.) to the lab and make your own copy of each tape.

1. Participation and Contribution
Your daily attendance and active participation is crucial to the success and well-being of you and your fellow learners. Follow the daily schedule diligently. Look ahead and be prepared. Spot quizzes and portfolio organization are part of Participation and Contribution. Your performance is monitored daily. Refer to the daily performance self-evaluation sheet. Your instructor will give out occasional reading/writing/grammar assignments to be turned in that are not on the study guide. They will be added to your Participation and Contribution grade.

2. Chapter Exams (3)
Each chapter exam includes oral and written portions.

3. Chapter Quizzes
There is a quiz for each section (A, B, or C) in a chapter. A typical quiz will test your knowledge of the new grammar and vocabulary for the section. You may take the same quiz as often as you wish. Make an arrangement with your instructor at least one day in advance for a sitting. Some quizzes will be on-line.

4. Final Exam
The final exam will have oral and written portions, and looks very much like a condensed version of all chapter exams combined.

5. Self-Created Exercises (9)
You will be preparing activities and exercises to be used in class. Each exercise will have a specific requirement to follow. Read the instruction on self-created exercises (to be handed out) carefully. Read the day-to-day study guide carefully. The accuracy of the exercise, as well as the effectiveness, will be assessed. See the evaluation sheet. Sign up for 5 formative exercises in the course of the semester. You must do 4 summative exercises in the course.

Formative activities are meant to practice new material as it is presented in class. Summative activities are review activities, and are a little more involved. Sign up for five formative activities for the course. For a summative activity, submit a lesson plan. You must present all three summative activities.

We expect you to be responsible and conscientious in preparing and administering your own creation. The most learning is in preparing exercises, but you also learn a great deal from your classmates' reaction, questions, and performance. YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO TEACH THE CLASS. If you don't understand fully what you have signed up to present, especially in the formative stage, that's all the better!

See the separate instruction sheet.

On each exercise you prepare, please include: Date, Course, Section, Chapter, Topic, and Your Name.

6. Reading Assignments
You are required to read one unit per week or so from your Reading Packet ( Part III) and do the exercises to go with it. . Some passages have a separate writing assignment. Please refer to the instruction and schedule in the packet.

On designated Fridays you will be given a quiz on a passage at a time. See the schedule in the packet.

Kanji Assignment I: You are required to choose 125 NEW Kanji from Basic Kanji Book, Vol. 2 or acquisition in this course.

Step One: To determine which ones are new, compare the Yookoso! Book I Kanji list (http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kanji-project/sites/ucolorado/index.html) and the table of contents for Basic Kanji Book, Vol. 2.

Step Two: You have two options to learn the 125 Kanji. Choose one.

• Option A: "Ration" the 125 Kanji throughout the semeseter. Quiz yourself on a few Kanji a week (on Fridays), and do a review Kanji exam on December 7. The review exam may include the Kanji that you have had difficulty learning this semester.
• Option B: Prepare one big Kanji exam that incdude all 125 Kanji for December 7.

Step Three: Follow the timetable for your plan diligently.

Timetable:

• Proposal/List of Kanji to be learned due Week 4 (Option A, B. Use the Kanji work sheet (provided) or equivalent to prepare the list.
• Prepare weekly or bi-weekly quizzes on the 125 Kanji of your choice, using a few Kanji at a time. Take the quiz on Fridays. (Option A)
• Draft of the Kanji test due Week 12 (Option B)
• Final Draft of the review Kanji test due Week 14 (Option A)
• Camera-ready copy of the Kanji test, key, grading scale due      (Option B)
• Kanji Test      (Option A, B)

Kanji Assignment II: You are expected to work on your own on "Yookoso Kanji," the kanji that are introduced in Yookoso! chapters. The Yookoso! kanji are introduced in context , that is, grouped together semantically and in compounds). The workbook has an extensive section on Kanji for each chapter. We strongly recommend that you do all the Kanji exercises in the workbook and turn them in to your instructor for inspection.

Instead of or in addition to the workbook Kanji exercises, you are required to do the exercises in the relevant chapter at:http://www.wfu.edu/~takatay/YookosoKanji/. The Yookoso! Kanji will be tested on the day of the oral portion of the chapter exam.

http://www.sabah.edu.my/meiko/

On or before the designated date, turn in reading and writing assignments from Yookoso!.

Pick one skill or area which you need and want to improve on the most. Devise a project that spans the whole semester. Turn in your proposal (form provided) in Week Two. Turn in a progress report in Week 7. See separate handout for suggested activities.

COMPUTER CLASSROOM RULES

Here are some Rules for the Humanities computing classrooms ([1B35 (Mac) and 1B45 (Windows)) which relate to the student perspective.

First, instructors and students alike need to know that these are classrooms, not open labs.  Students will only be able to access those machines and any special software installed on them during their scheduled class period.  There will never be open access, and an instructor or TA must always be present with any students.

Second, everyone needs to read the various signs in the room(s). Most importantly everyone needs to understand

"No Food or Drink"

and

OTHER GENERAL HOUSE RULES

• Your DAILY participation and contribution is essential. BE HERE, BODY & MIND.
• Tell us in advance, by phone, e-mail, personal messenger, if you have to miss a class. If it is an emergency, tell as soon after your absence why you had to miss the class. It is the minimum courtesy. You count, and we care.
• Your computer will be shut down when it is not used as part of the current task and activity.
• You are in a classroom, not a walk in lab, and you are expected to participate in the activities planned and designed for this course. BE SENSIBLE AND COURTEOUS.
• Handouts are distributed once. We will not have "extra copies." If you do not get a handout because you were not there when it was distributed, it is YOUR responsibility to ask for your copy.

Please Note:

We encourage students with disabilities, including visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury and attention deficit/hyperactive disorders, to discuss with us after class or during our office hours, within the first week or two of the semester, appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.

Please let us know early if you have to miss a class due to religious observances.

STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of East Asian Languages & Civilizations has an exchange agreement with two universities in Japan:

Kansai Gaikokugo Daigaku (Kansai Gaidai)

http://www.kansai-gaidai-u.ac.jp/index.htm

The University of Tsukuba

http://130.158.169.37/jtp_overview.htm

Also, visit the Office of International Education: http://www.colorado.edu/OIE

Please ask your instructor for more information.