Updated  24/1

General Course Outlines and/or Objectives

BEGINNING CONVERSATION -- Textbook: Japanese For Busy People  I  Romanized VERSION  (Lessons 1-10) by Kodansha USA / AJALT.  Introduction to conversational Japanese. The development of survival listening and speaking skills, and basic vocabulary.  Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: talk about nationalities and occupations; introduce yourself and others;  ask for telephone numbers;  talk about opening times and closing times; ask about the prices of items in a store and make a purchase; place an order at a restaurant; talk about where you will go/went, when, and with whom; talk about traveling destinations;  talk about the date and the days of the week of an event meeting;  talk about everyday activities--what, when and where;  state how frequently one does something; talk about the weather.  NO WRITING IS TAUGHT IN THIS CLASS.

INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATION -- Textbook: Japanese For Busy People  Romanized VERSION  (Lessons 11-20)  Kodansha USA / AJALT.  (Prerequisite:  45  contact hours of Japanese or its equivalent).  Continuation of BEGINNING CONVERSATION.  Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: talk about the characteristics of things and places, the weather; express onefs thoughts about experiences, and gratitudes; talk about tourist destinations and onefs hometown; ask the meaning of a word you do not know; talk about giving and receiving gifts; compliment someone about closing; talk about someonefs likes and skills; talk about what you would like to do; tell where a certain event is taking place; invite someone to an event; receive or decline an invitation; state a reason for declining an invitation;  talk about what you want to do, talk about weekend plans travel plans, and business trips; talk about a sequence of actions;  ask someone to do something for you; request delivery of something by a certain means at a certain time; give directions to a taxi driver;  ask and answer means of transportation, route, and time requested to reach a destination; ask and answer departure and arrival of times.  NO WRITING IS TAUGHT IN THIS CLASS.

BEGINNING 1 -- Textbook: Japanese For Busy People  I  (4th ed.) Romanized VERSION  (Lessons 1-8) by Kodansha USA / AJALT.  Workbook: Handy Katakana Workbook  by Kendall Hunt.   Introduction to elementary Japanese writing  (i.e., HIRAGANA) and sentence structures.   Emphasis will be on the development of conversational skills.  Upon completion of this level, you will be able to: introduce yourself and others, talk about nationalities, give your name at the reception desk of a place you visit; ask for telephone numbers, ask for words to be repeated when you do not understand; talk about opening times and closing times, ask the prices of items in a store and make a purchase, place an order at a restaurant; ask for the location of a facility or a shop,  tell the shopkeeper what you want to buy;  talk about where, when, and with whom you will go/went somewhere,  at the bus stop  ask if the bus goes to onefs destination;  talk about the date and day of the week of an event or meeting.

BEGINNING 2 -- Textbook: Japanese For Busy People  I   Romanized VERSION  (Lessons 9-16) by Kodansha USA / AJALT.  Workbook: Handy Katakana Workbook by Kendall Hunt.   Introduction to KATAKANA characters.  Upon completion of this level, you will be able to: talk about everyday activities\what, when, where; make reservations at a restaurant by phone; state how frequently one does something;  talk about the characteristics of things and places;  talk about the weather; express onefs thoughts about experiences;  express gratitude;  talk about tourist destinations and onefs hometown;  ask the meaning of a word you do not know;  talk about giving and receiving gifts; talk about what one possesses;  talk about someonefs likes and skills; talk about what you would like to do;  tell where a certain event is taking place; invite someone to an event; receive or decline an invitation; state a reason for declining and invitation.

BEGINNING 3 -- Textbook: Japanese For Busy People  I   Kana version  (Lessons 17-24) by Kodansha USA/ AJALT.   Upon completion of this level,  you will be able to: talk about what you want to do;  talk about the weekend plans, travel plans, and business trips; talk about a sequence of actions; ask someone to do something for you; request delivery of something by a certain means at a certain time; give directions to a taxi driver;  ask and answer about means of transportation, route, and time required to reach a destination; ask and answer departure and arrival times;  ask permission to do something; grant and refuse permission; talk about onefs physical condition and explain a symptom;  give a reason and forbid someone from doing something; when someone apologizes for something, tell him or her not to worry;  talk about someone is doing now; state when an action is completed;  talk about where one lives and works;  talk about someonefs hobby.  Some essential Kanji, Chinese characters, will be introduced.

INTERMEDIATE 1 -- Textbooks:   Japanese For Busy People  II  (Lessons 1-8, Vol. 2: textbook & workbook) by Kodansha International / AJALT.  Continuation of BEGINNING 3. More KANJI will be introduced.   Upon completion of this level, you should be able to:  Compare two things or people and compare three or more things or people; consult someone about what to buy as a souvenir; Ask someone their preference or state onefs preference; Describe body parts and the characteristics of the components of things. Express your decisions or discuss an event or a shopping item you are going to decide on together. State opinions or impressions and speculations; Ask for a suggestion; Say that you will try on something; State the reason for leaving for some place for a while; Talk about characteristics of an item or a person; Talk about past experiences; Asking for and offering explanations; Give examples of actions or events; Describe simultaneous actions; Offer to do something and answer either to accept or decline.   Reproduce 80% or more KANJI introduced during the term.

INTERMEDIATE 2 -- Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People   II   (Lessons 9-16, Vol. 2: textbook & workbook) by Kodansha International / AJALT.  Continuation of INTERMEDIATE 1.  More KANJI will be introduced.  Upon completion of this level, you should be able to: complain about your health, show concerns for the health of others; talk about someone's personal history, give a detailed self-introduction; discuss how a town and old acquaintances have changed, describe building infrastructures and an individual's personality; talk about schedules, services available at a store, describe what you are thinking, talk about schedules, talk about the schedules available at a store.  Reproduce 80% or more KANJI introduced during the term.

INTERMEDIATE 3 -- Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People   II   (Lessons 11-15, Vol. 2: textbook & workbook) by Kodansha International / AJALT.  Continuation of INTERMEDIATE 2.  More KANJI will be introduced.  Upon completion of this level, you should be able to:  express your feelings and give reasons for them, talk about possible scenarios that could occur in the future; confirm details of a trip;  talk about changes in sales and productivity, your dreams for the future, what you do in the event of a disaster; talk about problems, explain possible solutions, ask for suggestions about how to solve these problems,  give directions, how to use intransitive and transitive verbs, and give reasons for rejecting an invitation. Reproduce 80% or more KANJI introduced during the term.

INTERMEDIATE 4 \ Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People   III   (Lessons 1-5, Vol. 3: textbook & workbook) by Kodansha International / AJALT.  Continuation of INTERMEDIATE 3.  More KANJI will be introduced.  Upon completion of this level, you should be able to: ask about something you do not understand, point out something you noticed, present knowledge you acquired, explain about careers, and procedures; point out something strange, make guesses, talk about changes in daily life, things you see around town; solicit and state opinions, explain procedures, talk about how facilities are used;  explain about careers, ask for reasons and for an explanation of how a situation came to be.  Reproduce 80% or more KANJI introduced during the term.

INTERMEDIATE 5 -- Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People   III   (Lessons 6-10, Vol. 3: textbook & workbook) by Kodansha International / AJALT.  Continuation of INTERMEDIATE 4.  More KANJI will be introduced.  Upon completion of this level, you should be able to:  talk about the weather and its effects, global warming, environmental problems;  ask someone to do something for you, express gratitude for a service, make excuses (L7); explain circumstances, talk about things that trouble you (L8);  talk about education, ask for permission, talk about what you wish your spouse or partner would do (L9);  greet people, introduce people; express gratitude, apologize (L10), honorifics.  Reproduce 80% or more KANJI introduced during the term.

INTERMEDIATE 6 -- Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People   III   (Lessons 11-15, Vol. 3: textbook & workbook)by Kodansha International / AJALT.  Continuation of INTERMEDIATE 5.  More KANJI will be introduced.    Upon completion of this level, you should be able to: leave messages, give and quote commands (L11), talk about events, engage in conversation with friends (L12), complain, make apologies and respond to them, Ask for responding to explanations (L13), make formal (RSVP) or casual invitations, email (L14), express modesty, gratitude, apologies; introduce people, ask how someone is doing (L15).  Reproduce 80% or more KANJI introduced during the term.

INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION -- Textbook(s): TBA. (Prerequisite: 150 contact hours of Japanese or its equivalent). After a few quarters of this course, the student will be able to: meet a number of practical writing needs; write short, simple letters involving personal preferences, daily routines, everyday events, brief synopses and paraphrases, summaries of biographical data, work and school experience, write a number of frequently-encountered Kanji, demonstrate a basic control of both simple and complex sentence structures; distinguish formal and informal styles.  [Currently Not Offered]

JLPTn5&k1  -- Textbooks:  1. Nihongo Noryoku Shiken Level 5  by Bonjinsha.  Students develop Japanese language proficiency (NIHONGO NORYOKU Level 5).   Get to know the real NIHONGO NORYOKU SHIKEN's format, question types, and scoring.  Practice and learn key test-taking strategies for the Nihongo Noryoku Shiken N 5.    2. Basic KANJI Book (Lessons 1-18,   Vol. 1)  by Bonjinsha  and  teacher-made materials.  Introduction to basic reading and writing of KANJI (Chinese characters).  Acquisition of basic communication skills through reading modern Japanese.  Approximately  200  essential KANJI characters  will be introduced and taught  through reading excercises.  Through reading Kanji  in Japanese sentences and paragraphs,  the students will increase their knowledge of Kanji and sentence patterns.  The contents of this course will change from quarter to quarter.  Prerequisite: 150 contact hours of Japanese or equivalent.

JLPTn4&k2 -- Textbooks:  1. Nihongo Noryoku Shiken Level 4  by Bonjinsha.  Students develop Japanese language proficiency (NIHONGO NORYOKU Level 4).   Get to know the real NIHONGO NORYOKU SHIKEN's format, question types, and scoring.  Practice and learn key test-taking strategies for the Nihongo Noryoku Shiken N 4.   2. Basic KANJI Book (Lessons 19-32, Vols. 1&2).  Upon completion of this course,  the student should be able to:  know  and use  in sentences  the ON-KUN readings for approximately  370 KANJI characters.   Fifty plus percent of class time will  be spent on reading short stories and essays to increase your knowledge of word collocation and sentence patterns.  The contents of this course will change from quarter to quarter.  Prerequisite: JLPTn5&k or its equivalent.

JLPTn3&k3 (Pre-Advanced) – Textbook(s): Quartet Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills 1  by the Japan Times. After four quarters of this course, the students will complete the textbook, which consists of 55 pre-advanced level grammar patterns and expressions, 327 Kanji, and approx. 700 new words. The lessons are focused on four language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The materials of this course will not be limited to this textbook. This course is designed for individuals currently at the JLPT N4 level who are aspiring to reach the N3 level.  Prerequisites: successfully completed Intermediate 6 at Soko Gakuen or its equivalent."

JLPTn3&k3 -- Textbooks:  1. Nihongo Noryoku Shiken Level 3  by Bonjinsha.  Students develop Japanese language proficiency (NIHONGO NORYOKU Level 3).   Get to know the real NIHONGO NORYOKU SHIKEN's format, question types, and scoring.  Practice and learn key test-taking strategies for the Nihongo Noryoku Shiken N 3.    2. Basic KANJI Book  (Lessons 33-45,  Vol.  2).   Upon completion of this course,  the student should be able to:  (a) gain experience and confidence with practice JLPT tests and exercises,  (b) know and use  in sentences  the ON-KUN readings for approximately 500 KANJI characters. Through reading Kanji  in Japanese sentences and paragraphs, the students will also increase their knowledge of Kanji.  The contents of this course will change from quarter to quarter.  Prerequisite:   JLPTn4&k or its equivalent.

JLPTn2 Prep. Course -- Textbook(s): Nihongo Noryoku Shiken by Bonjinsha.  Students develop Japanese language proficiency (NIHONGO NORYOKU). Acquire vocabulary, advanced grammar, and idioms to increase comprehension. Improve Kanji reading and writing skills.  Get to know the real NIHONGO NORYOKU SHIKEN's format, question types, and scoring.  Practice and learn key test-taking strategies for the Nihongo Noryoku Shiken.  Gain experience and confidence with practice tests, exercises, and essays.  [Offered in summer & fall.]


PRACTICAL COMMUNICATION -- Textbook(s): Prepared by instructor. (Prerequisites: 300 contact hours of Japanese or its equivalent & PT300). After several quarters of this course, the student will be able to: (a) expand vocabulary, comprehension, and other communication skills; (b) develop linguistic and communicative competence, understand "Speaking Rules" and the relation between linguistic form and function in Japanese; and (c) recognize degree of formality, uses of silence, appropriateness of questions, types of questions, gender and age-related restrictions depending on to whom and when he or she talks. The contents of this course will change from quarter to quarter.

READING FOR COMPREHENSION -- Textbook(s): TBA (high interest selections such as short stories, essays, newspaper & magazine articles, general stories, etc.). (Prerequisites: 350 contact hours of Japanese or its equivalent & PT300). The instructor will help students analyze, synthesize and interpret general reading materials including some with abstract concepts; increase speed and comprehension in silent reading; develop the skill to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary from context; read for enjoyment; and at the same time gain new vocabulary words and sentence structures.  [Offered in winter & spring.]



EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Ad-hoc lectures may be offered upon the request of interested students: Calligraphy and/or brush painting, tea ceremony demos with instruction by skilled artists.  At the conclusion of each quarter, students and teachers may get together to enjoy and taste the flavor of traditional Japanese cuisine.  Potluck social gatherings may be offered once or twice a year.  Opportunities for the students to practice their Japanese in an informal situation (Conversation Group Gatherings) may also be available.  Soko Gakuen will keep you informed of special events in the Japanese community, films on and from Japan, scholarships, language schools in Japan, and more...

BEN YOSHIKAWA SCHOLARSHIP Founded 2003
 


Any comments or suggestions can be addressed to sokogakuen@gmail.com
 

<<< Home - Enrollment Information  -  Class Schedule  -  Evaluation and Exams  -  Faculty  -  Directions to Soko Gakuen  -  EXTRA!
 

Editor: SeaMonkey/2.48