Japanese
There are more than 125 million native speakers of Japanese and, despite the language's apparent complexity, its popularity as a second language is growing (particularly in China, South Korea and Australia).
A knowledge of Japanese can be very useful in all aspects of international trade, finance and banking. Japan is also a popular and fascinating holiday destination, and Japanese culture - from J-pop to J-horror - is now present globally with scores of non-native speakers enjoying Japanese music, films, TV, literature and, of course, comic books.
Japanese Beginners (Level 1)
This is for you if you have no prior knowledge of Japanese (or so little that you effectively want to start again from scratch). You will learn basic skills to enable you to make yourself understood and to find out information in everyday situations.
- Session information: October courses: Mondays or Wednesdays 6-8pm
- Timeline: Started October 2020 - running until 22/24 March 2021
- Term 2: 18/20 January - 22/24 March 2021.
- Fees: Term 2 £105.
- Session information: NEW Mondays 7-9pm
- Timeline: Starting 18 January 2021 - running until 5 July 2021
- Term 1: 10 weeks starting 18 January - 22 March 2021; Term 2: 10 weeks - 3 May - 5 July 2021
- Fees: Term 1 - £105. Term 2 £105. Full Course £210.
Fast Track Level 1
This is for you if you have no prior knowledge of Japanese (or so little that you effectively want to start again from scratch). You will learn basic skills to enable you to make yourself understood and to find out information in everyday situations. Fast Track courses enable you to complete the level in just one term, instead of two terms.
- Session information: Saturdays. 10.30am-2.30pm
- Timeline: TBC
- Fees: Full Course £210.
Japanese Post-beginners (Level 2)
You can already manage in basic situations using the present tense, and you have some knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana. You can already manage in everyday situations using the present tense. You have reached the A1 level in the ELP self-assessment grid and/or completed the Beginners (level 1) Course.
- Session information: Tuesdays. 6-8pm.
- Timeline: Started October 2020 - running until 23 March 2021
- Term 2: 10 weeks -19 January - 23 March 2021.
- Fees: Term 2 £105.
Fast Track Level 2
You can already manage in basic situations using the present tense, and you have some knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana. You have reached the equivalent to a level A1 in the ELP self-assessment grid and/or completed the Beginners (level 1) Course. Fast Track courses enable you to complete the level in just one term, instead of two terms.
Session information: Saturdays 10am-2.30pm
Timeline: Term 1: 10 weeks, starting 23 January 2021 - 27 March 2021
Fees: Full course 10 weeks - £210 (60 learning hours), January to March 2021
Japanese Intermediate (Level 3)
You are already knowledgeable in Hiragana, Katakana and basic Kanjis. You have reached the A2 level in the ELP self-assessment grid (equivalent to a good grade at GSCE) and/or completed the Post-beginners (level 2) Course.
- Session information: Mondays. 5-7pm
- Timeline: Started October 2020 - running until 22 March 2021
- Term 1: Term 2: 10 weeks -18 January - 22 March 2021
- Fees: Term 2 £105.
Fast Track Level 3
You are already knowledgeable in Hiragana, Katakana and basic Kanjis. You have reached the equivalent to a A2 level in the ELP self-assessment grid (equivalent to a good grade at GSCE) and/or completed the Post-beginners (level 2) Course. Fast Track courses enable you to complete the level in just one term, instead of two terms
Session information: Saturdays 10 am - 2.30 pm
Timeline: TBC
Fees: Full course 10 weeks - £210 (60 learning hours).
Japanese Upper-intermediate (Level 4)
This course is for learners who are able to understand Japanese text written in Kana and Kanji with some support. You should be familiar with at least 300 kanji. You are confident when speaking about yourself and can talk about something that you are interested in. You have reached a B1.1 level in the ELP self-assessment grid(equivalent to an A-Level grade F to C) and/or completed the Intermediate (level 3) Course.
- Session information: Thursdays 5-7pm
- Timeline: Started October 2020 - running until 25 March 2021
- Term 2: 10 weeks (30 learning hours), 21 January - 25 March 2021
- Fees: Term 2 £120.
Japanese Advanced (Level 5)
This course is for learners who are able to understand Japanese text written in Kana and Kanji with some support. You should be familiar with at least 500 kanji. You are confident when speaking about yourself and can talk about something that you are interested in. You have reached the equivalent to a full level B1 on the ELP self-assessment grid (equivalent to an A-Level grade B to A) and/or completed the Upper-Intermediate (level 4) course.
Key Information
- Session information: Thursdays. 7-9pm
- Timeline: Started October 2020 - running until 25 March 2021
- Term 2: 10 weeks (30 learning hours), 21 January - 25 March 2021
- Fees: Term 2 £120.
Japanese Language Proficiency Test - Levels N5 and N4
This 10-week course aims to prepare participants to successfully take the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at levels N5 and N4. The training intends to further develop and consolidate participants' Japanese language skills in five areas: grammar, vocabulary, kanji, reading comprehension and listening comprehension. Participants taking this course should have completed a Beginners level for JLPT N5 and a Post-beginners level or an Intermediate level for JLPT N4, or equivalent training.
Session information: Monday 6 - 8 pm
Timeline: Term 1: 10 weeks (10 lessons of 2 hours), starting 27 April and ending 6 July 2020
Fees: 1 term 10 weeks - £135* (40 learning hours), April to July 2020
Japanese Language Proficiency Test - Levels N3, N2 and N1
This 10-week course aims to prepare participants to successfully take the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at advanced levels N3, N2 and N1. The training intends to further develop and consolidate participants' Japanese language skills in five areas: grammar, vocabulary, kanji, reading comprehension and listening comprehension. Participants taking this course should have completed an Intermediate or Upper-intermediate level for JLPT N3, an Advanced or Post-Advanced level for N2 and a Proficiency level for JLPT N1, or equivalent training.
Session information: Thursday 6 - 8 pm
Timeline: Term 1: 10 weeks (10 lessons of 2 hours), starting 30 April and ending 2 July 2020
Fees: 1 term 10 weeks - £135* (40 learning hours), April to July 2020