Japanese: an introduction for beginners
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
This course has now started
Course Code: LJ150
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
To enable you to communicate at basic level in spoken Japanese in everyday situations.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
Introductions, weather, schedule, making plans,
shopping, street signs.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Introduce yourself and greet people
- Ask the time at an airport or in the street
- Understand prices and simple signs in a shop
- Order food and drinks
- Talk about the weather using adjectives
- Talk simply about your daily routine
- Read Hiragana
- introduce oneself
- ask for and give basic personal information
- talk simply about your routine
- understand prices and simple signs in a shop
- buy items
- order food in a restaurant.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Complete beginners.
For further details of the specific foreign language skills required for this level, please see the languages self assessment chart at the start of the languages section of our course guide or at http://www.citylit.ac.uk/self-assess-your-levelYou will also need to be able to respond to simple instructions and explanations, as well as read course documents, in English. You will need to be at ease with the use of numbers for daily activities (e.g. using money, telling the time, using the 24 hour clock, reading timetables). It would also be helpful if you had some knowledge of basic grammar terminology such as: a verb, a noun and conjugation.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is based on the communicative approach:
- active students’ interaction
- emphasis on speaking and listening skills
- pair and group work
- role plays
- use of realia, pictures and authentic material
- use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate
Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Textbook: Japanese for Busy People 1 ,Kana version, Revised 3rd edition Kodansha USA. Lessons 1-6. We recommend that students attend the first session before buying the textbook. Please try: Grant and Cutler at Foyles-www.foyles.co.uk/languages (020 7437 5660).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Your tutor will advise you on the next suitable course.
Hisaka is a passionate educator of all ages, bringing over 15 years of experience in teaching Japanese language and culture to CityLit. Growing up in Tokyo, Japan, Hisaka initially came to the UK for postgraduate study, specialising in Education. Following a stint working in the City, Hisaka’s focus moved to her love of teaching, becoming a central figure Japanese language learning in the UK through teaching in secondary schools and in adult education. She has also presented training seminars at Japan Foundation, volunteered for the Japanese In Your Classroom Programme of the Japan Society in both primary and secondary schools and is an accredited GCSE/A level subject expert to Ofqual.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
