Japanese Level 4

Course Description

This course is offered for those students who have completed Level 3 successful at JCMU, and those who otherwise demonstrate highly-advanced and well-balanced four skills on the placement test. The prerequisite for this course is at least three years of rigorous formal study of the Japanese language. The course will further improve students' four skills by using a wide variety of authentic materials such as newspaper/magazine articles, short stories, essays, Japanese movies and dramas.

Course Objectives

By the completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. engage in a wide variety of common conversational situations with a high level of accuracy and fluency;
  2. feel comfortable in dealing with authentic materials on a wide range of topics;
  3. express their opinions on the content of what they have read or heard in a complete and sophisticated manner;
  4. exhibit a better understanding and appreciation of the social, economic and political world of contemporary Japan.

Course Materials

  • JCMU Course Packet (newspaper articles, magazine articles, etc.)
  • Video "My Beautiful Friend" transcript/ voc.list/ culture notes
  • Video "Family Game" transcript/ voc.list/ culture notes
  • Video "A river flows" transcript/ voc.list/ culture notes
  • Kano, Chieko, Basic Kanji Book Vol.2
  • Kano, Chieko, Intermediate Kanji Book Vol.1
  • Worksheets and handouts

Grading and Attendance

25% Classroom participation and dialogue presentation
10% Assignments
15% Quizzes
45% Weekly examination and final examination
5% Projects