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Japanese

Japanese Beginners 1 (Online)

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

This course will be delivered remotely due to the current situation. The course will be taught live online via Zoom at the dates and times indicated.

Our Beginners courses are targeted at those who want to develop an initial basic competence (CEFR A1) in the language. The focus is on developing the ability to make themselves understood and to understand language used in the most basic of everyday situations. Basic grammatical structures and frequent vocabulary are presented, explained and practised to facilitate this.

Japanese will cover similar ground to other languages but over 6, not 3, terms.

In choosing where to start (Beginners 1 to 6), students should consult the information on prerequisites.

The six Beginners courses (Beginners 1 to 6) aim to provide an introduction to the language. The most basic structures and vocabulary of the language are introduced and students have the opportunity to practise communicating in basic everyday situations.

Japanese includes an additional 3 courses at beginner level (Beginners 4, 5 and 6) in recognition of the challenges of the first stages of learning this language.

By the end of the courses, students will have reached the equivalent of level A1 in Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

For further advice on your level and the most appropriate course, please, read the prerequisites or contact languagesforall@ed.ac.uk

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

Beginners 1 is targeted at absolute Beginners – those with no previous experience of the language.

If you have any queries, please contact languagesforall@ed.ac.uk

Special Information

In order to successfully engage with the course via Zoom, you will require:

  • A reliable internet connection

  • A computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone; equipped with a camera and mic

  • A headset or earphones

  • The Zoom app/software installed and set up on your device

We recommend that your device runs a modern operating system. For example, Windows 10 or the latest Apple software if using a computer or laptop.

You will receive an email with a link and information on how to log on to your Zoom class at least 24 hours prior to your first class. You will receive a separate email containing the password to access your Zoom class. For more information about technical requirements, please visit the FAQ's on our website.

Content of Course

The following will be covered across Beginners 1 to 6:

  • Greetings

  • Nationalities and occupations

  • Likes and dislikes

  • Counting, alphabet, spelling, dates, days, etc.

  • Telling the time

  • The most frequent and basic structures for talking about the present

  • The most frequent and basic structures for talking about the past

  • Coping with basic travel situations – directions, at the airport, train station, etc.

  • Talking about family, your town, holidays, clothes, your home, transport, food and drink

  • Money, ordering and paying in cafes and shops

  • Making and accepting invitations

The aim is for students to learn to understand others and make themselves understood in these areas. Basic grammar and vocabulary will be presented and practised in the contexts above.

Students of Japanese will also learn to decipher and produce the script at a basic level. 

The above is a sample of the core topics typically covered at Beginners level and gives an indication of the likely content of the course. The content will vary from language to language.

Teaching method(s)

This course will be delivered remotely due to the current situation. The course will be taught live online via Zoom at the dates and times indicated.

The emphasis of all of our courses is speaking and listening. The lessons focus on language that is required for communicating in real situations.

The lessons include whole class activities and pair or small group work, role-play, responding to short texts and dialogues and watching video clips. Grammar is introduced in context. More extensive written exercises and reading texts are normally only set as homework.

Learning is assessed informally throughout the course with the teacher providing feedback on practice tasks at the end of the course in revision and tests.

Typically, the primary language used in the class is the language being learnt.

Learning outcomes

On completion of all 6 Beginners courses, students will be able to:

  • Communicate in the most basic everyday situations.

  • Introduce themselves and others.

  • Ask and answer questions about personal details such as where people live, what people know and the things people have.

By the end of the courses, students will have reached the equivalent of level A1 in Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

Sources

Core Readings

Students are not required to buy a course book. Handouts and/or reading materials will be provided by the tutor throughout the course.

Web Sources

Where appropriate web sources will be provided.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.