DE LA SALLE-COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE

School of Professional and Continuing Education

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Beginners Japanese 1
3 units (3 lecture hours per week)
None
Language
Ms. Kristine Alma Cambay
kristine.cambay@gmail.com
Term 3, AY 2015-2016
-

Course Description:
This is an introductory course to the Japanese language. Basic sentence patterns,
proper pronunciation, useful greetings, and the Japanese writing systems: Hiragana
and Katakana, are covered in this course. Grammar topics include Lessons 1-6 of the
textbook Minna no Nihongo. As a final course requirement, students are to undergo a
simulation interview, with Japanese language as the primary medium.
Course Objectives:
At the end of the term, the students must be able to:
1. Read and write Hiragana and Katakana characters.
2. Use basic grammatical knowledge through sentence constructions; make own
dialogues given in context.
3. Engage in small groups for conversation using their basic communication skills
while observing Japanese culture, customs and interpersonal relations needed
for everyday communication.
4. Introduce oneself in Japanese.
Course Outline and Tentative Schedule:
#
1

Date
-

Day
S

Topics/Lessons
Syllabus orientation and course requirements
Class house rules
Culture input: Useful expressions in Japanese
Hiragana ----- lines
MNN Lesson 1
(1) Vocabulary Review
(2) N1 N2
(3) N1 N2
(4) SENTENCE
1 | PAGE

Quizzes

Useful
expressions in
Japanese

10

Hiragana ----- lines

Review of Hiragana lines
MNN Lesson 1
(5) N
(6) N1 N2
Hiragana - ---
Hiragana combinations /
Review Lesson 1
Review Hiragana
MNN Lesson 2
(1) Vocabulary Review
(2)
(3) N N N
(4) /
MNN Lesson 2
(5) S1 , S2
(6) N1 N2
(7)
Review Lesson 2
MNN Lesson 3
(1) Vocabulary Review
MNN Lesson 3
(2) /
(3) N1 N2
(4)
(5) N1 N2
Oral presentation criteria distribution
Oral presentation: Hiragana reading exam
Summary and Review
MIDTERM EXAM
MNN Lesson 4
(1) Vocabulary Review
(2)
(3) V
(4) V / V / V / V
MNN Lesson 4
(5) N(time) V
(6) N1 N2
(7) N1 N2
(8) SENTENCE
Introduction to Katakana
Katakana ----- lines
MNN Lesson 5
(1) Vocabulary Introduction
(2) N (place) / /
2 | PAGE

Hiragana
lines
Lesson 1
Vocabs
Lesson 1
Hiragana
Quiz
Lesson 2
Vocabs
Lesson 1 & 2
Grammar

Lesson 3
Vocabs

Lesson 4
Vocabs

Lesson 4
Grammar

11

12

13

14

(3) [] /
(4) N (vehicle) / /
Katakana ----- lines
MNN Lesson 5
(5) N (person/animal) V
(6)
(7) SENTENCE
Katakana ---- lines
Katakana combinations /
Oral presentation criteria distribution
MNN Lesson 6
(1) Vocabulary Introduction
(2) N V (transitive)
(3) N
(4)
(5) and
Oral presentation preparation
MNN Lesson 6
(6) N (place) V
(7) V
(8) V
Oral Presentation: Self-introduction
FINAL EXAM
Grade Consultation

Lesson 5
Vocabs
Katakana
Quiz

Lesson 5
Grammar
Lesson 6
Vocabs

Lesson 6
Grammar

Teaching Methods:
Since this course is an introduction to the Japanese language, the students are
expected to have zero knowledge of Japanese. English and/or Filipino will be used as a
medium of instruction in order to explain important grammatical points. However,
writing, reading, listening, and speaking activities will be prepared for students to
practice their skills in Japanese. Several materials will also be used to further acquaint
the students with the different aspects of Japanese culture.
Requirements:
1. Photocopy your own required handouts for the whole term. No sharing of
handouts will be allowed in class.
a. Hiragana and Katakana Exercise Handouts Shin Nihongo no Kiso,
Japanese Kana Workbook.
b. Grammar Handouts Minna no Nihongo 1, Lessons 1-6.
2. The students are expected to read the assigned chapters and study the
vocabulary words and sentence patterns for each chapter before coming to
class.
3. Writing and reading homework will be assigned throughout the term and should
be submitted on their due dates. Late submissions will not be accepted.

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4. Students will be engaged in various interactive drills and activities that will
facilitate word usage and use of sentence patterns in real contexts.
5. No exemptions will be given. For absences incurred for reasons other than illness,
no make-up quiz will be given. Make-up for missed quizzes and exams may be
done upon presentation of an authorized absence/medical certificate. Please
note that for make-up quizzes/exams, credit will be given to only 80% of the total
points.
Assessment/Evaluation:
Midterm Exam
Short Quizzes
Chapter Quiz
Grammar
Writing
Listening
Oral Presentation
TOTAL

20%
5%

Final Exam
Homework
Class Part.

20%
5%
10%

10%
5%
5%
20% (10% each)
100%

Reminders:
As a new learner of foreign language, it is advised to allot at least 30 minutes a
day to practice reading and writing to be fully familiar with new words.
Students will be notified if there will be changes in the course schedule.
Students are expected to come to class prepared (please see Requirements #2).
Please keep all your graded papers. Questions and concerns about your grades
will not be entertained without accompanying proof.
In case of class suspension, students are still required to follow the scheduled
homework to keep up with the course timetable.
Attendance Policy:
Your commitment to becoming a professional begins with being present and on time
for all class sessions. Your contributions in class are the elements necessary to bring life
to our time together. Since it is difficult to complete activities and establish a sense of
community when members are absent, punctuality and attendance in all classes is
mandatory. In emergency situations that necessitate an absence, candidates must
notify the instructor prior to the absence if possible. A student who exceeds the number
of allowable absences may not receive credit for the course.
References:
1. Minna no Nihongo 1 Series. (1998). Volume 1 with Audio Cassette Tapes and
a Video Tape, 3A Network, ed. Tokyo, Japan.
2. Japanese for Young People, Kana Workbook. Association of Japanese
Language Teaching (AJALT).
3. Shin Nihongo no Kiso 1, Japanese Kana Workbook. The Association for
Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS).
4. Genki I. (1999). The Japan Times, Ltd.

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