110-141 Japanese 1A

Students who have had some prior experience with the language may not enrol unless they have taken a placement test in the week preceding the first week of semester. Students who have completed VCE level Japanese are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This is the beginners introductory level subject. Its focus is to provide basic expressions to the students to enable them to survive and function day-to-day in Japan. Students will learn Japanese writing systems: hiragana and katakana syllabaries, and 60 basic kanji (Chinese characters). Students are also introduced to aspects of Japanese culture. Computer and language laboratory instruction will support the curriculum.

• gain skills in written communication through essay writing and seminar discussion;

• learn attention to detail through essay preparation and writing;

• gain skills in time management and planning through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion;

• gain skills in public speaking through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations.

A 2-hour final examination 40% (due during the examination period), three in-class quizzes 6% (due early to mid-semester), two oral tests 20% (due mid-semester and late in semester respectively), a listening test 10% (due late in semester), composition task 10% (due late in semester) and project work 14% (due late in semester). Students must take the assessable tasks in their regular classes unless exceptional circumstances exist.

Additional materials may be supplied by the Institute.

• Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku, Yookoso! An Invitation to Contemporary Japanese. Media Edition 2004.