Japanese Language Courses

All students participating in the semester and summer programs take Japanese language. The JCMU Japanese language program offers four levels of instruction: elementary, lower intermediate, intermediate, and advanced. Each level at the Center is designed to advance the language students' proficiency through the combination of in-class instruction and outside activities. The language program as a whole aims to produce students who can communicate effectively in a variety of socio-cultural contexts both in spoken and written Japanese.

Placement Test:

Students will be placed into the level best-suited to their abilities after taking a Placement Test at the beginning of the program. The placement test consists of a written test and a short interview.

Japanese Language Course Offerings

Objectives

The objectives for all Japanese language courses taught at the JCMU are to:

emphasize creative student-centered and situational activities, coupled with basic pattern practices and drills;
increase students' proficiency and accuracy in the use of the Japanese language;
increase students' awareness and accuracy in a variety of language tasks/functions, text types and content/context variables;
seek to couple the language learning with an appreciation of contemporary Japanese customs, culture, and social phenomena;
meet the individual affective needs of students;
extend language use with "real life" experiences outside of class (language-based discussion groups, "conversation partners" with Japanese ESL students, interview activities with Japanese individuals, home stay and other activities involving local Japanese families and individuals) ; and
use authentic materials and experiences (including videos, audio tapes) and language lab practice sessions whenever possible.