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.

Key information

Course started January 2023

Course: Mondays 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Delivery: On-campus (face-to-face)
Timeline: Resumes 17 April - ends 10 July 2023
Lengths: 10 weeks (30 learning hours)
Fees: £110

You are welcome to join this course, which started in October 2022, provided that you have previous knowledge of the language to learn and progress with the current group.

On-campus courses require a minimum of 8 and it can have up to a maximum of 16 students. Course fee includes all tuition, access to Blackboard, handouts and any tests/exams, but not a textbook.

Please note that courses taught on-campus could be moved online if the Covid-19 situation prevents face-to-face teaching, and for as long as it is required. This decision will be made by the Government and/or the University of Leicester to guarantee the safety of students and staff.

Terms run from October to December, from January to March and from May to July. The full course comprises 60 learning hours. Lessons are two hours long and take place once a week. When enrolling you are committing to the full 20 weeks. There is the option to pay for the full course in one payment or two instalments. You are welcome to join in the second term of a course if you have previous knowledge and experience of the language.

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Entry level

This course is suitable for beginners.

Course content

Term one

Introducing yourself
Shopping (including asking prices)
Ordering in a restaurant
Asking dates and times (e.g. "When is your birthday?" "What time does the meeting start?")
Talking about routine
Introduction to hiragana

Term two

Talking about what you like and what you can do
Talking about your itinerary and locations, (e.g. "Where is the supermarket?" "It is in front of the station.")
Describing things using adjectives (my car is big, the film is interesting)
Writing a simple letter and making arrangements including invitations and agreeing a date/place
Introduction to katakana

Resources

There isn’t a University bookshop however The European Bookshop website holds our book list and offers a 10% discount to all our students. Languages at Leicester Reading List.

It is not essential to bring a course book to the first class. The Japanese tutor will prepare coursebooks so it's not compulsory to have a book.

The tutor will discuss book requirements in class and advise you of the best places to obtain the book if required. With some languages there is the option for us to order text books on behalf of a class.

Our approach

This course is taught in Japanese and English. Our programme aims to develop the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing as well as cultural awareness. It provides a good balance between understanding the culture, vocabulary, writing system (Hiragana and Katakana characters) and grammar structures of the Japanese language and enhancing communication and interaction. It supports comprehensive and productive skills in speech and writing through authentic based activities and guided practice in the use of Japanese language. Students will be encouraged to seek opportunities to learn and practise the four skills outside the classroom taking advantage of learning resources provided by tutors and the programme. Lessons are planned to allow intensive interactive practice with individual feedback and advice on progress.

Progression

Upon completing the Beginners level (1), you can progress onto the Post-Beginners level (2).