The Beginning Series focuses primarily on the development of basic conversational skills and an understanding of Japanese as it is currently spoken in Japan. Topics covered include introductions, giving opinions, asking permission, expressing preferences, and giving and receiving. Both hiragana and katakana are introduced, and the student should be able to read and produce both accurately upon completion of this series of classes. Please note that Beginning I is for students with NO previous Japanese experience. Beginning II, Beginning III, etc., assume some familiarity with the language.
The required textbook for the Beginning Series is Japanese for Busy People (JBP), Volume 1, Rev. 3rd edition (kana or romanized versions):
Note: Students can choose “kana” or “romanized” versions. Kana version might be challenging at first for those who are taking Beginning I class. However, it might be a better textbook for Beginning II & III classes.
The Intermediate Series continues to expand upon speaking, reading, and writing skills with the gradual introduction of common kanji compounds. Language functions covered include describing things, expressing intent, asking permission, signaling obligation, and expressing condition, among others. Aspects of the culture are introduced along with linguistic structures. Japanese is the primary language of instruction.
The required textbook for the Intermediate Series is Japanese for Busy People (JBP), Volume 2, Rev. 3rd edition:
This course is designed for those who have finished Intermediate 3 or equivalent. In this class, listening comprehension and conversation practice will be the focus, reviewing grammatical items and structures for the intermediate level. Through drill exercises, games and task practices, the goal of this class is to develop your conversational skills and fully prepare you for the pre-advanced level. With minimum kanji and vocabulary practice, this class will be lively and fun.
The Japan Society is happy to offer a new course for learning Japanese and Japanese culture through Japanese pop culture. This class is targeted on students who have passed JLPT N4 or equivalent. The popular Anime and Manga are selected by an instructor as teaching materials for this course. The vocabulary and grammatical structures expressed in the materials will be presented and practiced. Listening comprehension will be reinforced using the audio/visual materials. The demeanor/behavior of the characters, the content of their conversation and its context in Anime and Manga will be discussed in the class and to help you understand unique aspects of Japanese culture.
The Pre-Advanced and Advanced Courses are geared towards students who have a solid foundation in both conversational and written Japanese. This class focuses on the development of accurate and extended discourse as well as on the expansion of kanji knowledge in the reading of some newspaper articles. Study materials are drawn from primary Japanese sources, and the class is conducted entirely in Japanese. Pre-advanced classes use various textbooks and other materials provided by teacher.
The Japan Society is proud to offer Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) preparatory courses. Designed for non-native speakers of Japanese, JLPT is an internationally accredited language examination that measures communicative competences in accomplishment of tasks. It is offered once a year on the first Sunday of December (Exam on Dec. 5, 2010). Starting in 2010, the test levels are revised and will be a 5-level format (N1 through N5) with creation of N3, a new level bridging between conventional Level 2 and Level 3 tests. Each test (N1 through N5) will have (reading) and (listening). The former will incorporate the Writing-Vocabulary and Reading-Grammar sections of the conventional tests, while the latter will take the place of the Listening section of the conventional tests. For more detailed information, please refer to http://www.jlpt.jp/e.
Students should refer to the course textbooks to determine the most appropriate class for their level.
Japan Society Members: $195
Non-Members: $300
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