Class Levels

The Beginning Series focuses primarily on the development of basic conversational skills and an understanding of Japanese as it is currently spoken in Japan. Topics covered include introductions, giving opinions, asking permission, expressing preferences, and giving and receiving. Both hiragana and katakana are introduced, and the student should be able to read and produce both accurately upon completion of this series of classes. Please note that Beginning I is for students with NO previous Japanese experience. Beginning II, Beginning III, etc., assume some familiarity with the language.

 

The required textbook for the Beginning Series is Japanese for Busy People (JBP), Volume 1, Rev. 3rd edition (kana or Romanized versions):

 

Beginning 1: Lessons 1-7   (Unit 1-3)  Hiragana

Beginning 2: Lessons 8-14  (Unit 4-6)  Katakana

Beginning 3: Lessons 15-21 (Unit 7-9)  Hiragana/Katakana

Beginning 4: Lessons 22-25 (Unit 10-11) and beginner levels review 

 

Some classes also use the Japanese for Busy People Kana Workbook.

 

Note: Students can choose "kana" or "romanized" versions. However, Kana version might be challenging at first for those who are taking Beginning I and II classes. We recommend that the participants purchase the "Romanized" version textbook for Beginning I & II classes. We recommend that the participants purchase the Kana version textbook for Beginning III & IV classes.

 

The Intermediate Series continues to expand upon speaking, reading, and writing skills with the gradual introduction of common kanji compounds. Language functions covered include describing things, expressing intent, asking permission, signaling obligation, and expressing condition, among others. Aspects of the culture are introduced along with linguistic structures. Japanese is the primary language of instruction.

 

The required textbook for the Intermediate Series is Japanese for Busy People (JBP), Volume 2, Rev. 3rd edition:

Intermediate 1: Lessons 1-4   (Unit 1-2)   

Intermediate 2: Lessons 5-8   (Unit 2-3)

Intermediate 3: Lessons 9-12  (Unit 3-4)

Intermediate 4: Lessons 13-15 (Unit 5) and Intermediate levels review

 

Some classes also use the Basic Kanji Book Vol. 1 & Vol. 2.

  

Pre-Advanced Course (I-V) 

The pre-advanced classes are designed for those who have finished intermediate level or equivalent. Knowledge of at least 500 kanji is useful. The classes use a selected textbook and other materials provided by instructor.

The textbook for the Pre-Advanced series is Japanese for Busy People (JBP), Volume III, Rev. 3rd edition.

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) preparatory class is preparatory course for JLPT which is an internationally accredited language examination designed to evaluate and certify the language proficiency of non-native speakers of Japanese. JLPT is offered once a year on the first Sunday of December.  Refer to:   Students should refer to the course textbooks to determine the most appropriate class for their level.  Refer to: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/index.html or http://www.aatj.org/jlpt.

JLPT Level N4 & N5 Preparatory Course
This class is a comprehensive preparatory course for N4 and N5; the examinee should choose the level that best matches his or her ability and training.
Textbook:  新しい「日本語能力試験」ガイドブック概要版と問題例集 N4,N5編 (New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook: An Executive Summary and Sample Questions for N4 and N5)

JLPT Level N2 & N3 Preparatory Course
This class is a comprehensive preparatory course for the N2 and N3 exam; the examinee should choose the level that best matches his or her ability and training.
Textbook:  新しい「日本語能力試験」ガイドブック概要版と問題例集 N1,N2,N3編 (New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook: An Executive Summary and Sample Questions for N1, N2 and N3)

JLPT N1 & N2 Preparatory Course
This class is a comprehensive preparatory course for the N1 and N2 exam; the examinee should choose the level that best matches his or her ability and training.
Textbook: 新しい「日本語能力試験」ガイドブック概要版と問題例集 N1,N2,N3編 (New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook: An Executive Summary and Sample Questions for N1, N2 and N3)

Shodo - Japanese Calligraphy 

Shodo is Japanese traditional art of calligraphy using a brush (fude) and charcoal ink (sumi) on paper, wood plaques, and fabric.  It includes Japanese Kanji and  hiragana. Shodo originated in the techniques used for letter writing with its unique form of expression and developed into an art genre. This hands-on class will introduce the techniques of shodo. 

Hiragana and Katakana Workshop:

These mini-workshops offer the beginning student of Japanese the opportunity to master quickly and efficiently the reading of the two Japanese syllabaries, hiragana and katakana. It is these two writing systems, in combination with the more complex kanji (ideograms which represent meaning), which constitute the written Japanese language.

Hiragana was developed from the cursive style of kanji in the beginning of the Heian era (794-1185). Its function is to represent sound rather than meaning, and it is used to write native Japanese words as well as verb inflections, adjectival endings, etc.

Katakana was developed in the Nara period (710-794)) by either simplifying the kanji imported from China or by squaring off its cursive style. It is used to represent foreign names and words imported into the Japanese language, for onomatopoeic and mimetic words, certain slang expressions, telegrams, technical terms, and so forth.