DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

No Banner module data is available

Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Niamh Kelly
Semester 2: Niamh Kelly
Autumn: Niamh Kelly
Module TeachersNiamh Kelly
NFQ level 6 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

The module aims to introduce students to some of the essential aspects of Japanese culture, society and language. Students will be familiarised with a range of everyday situations requiring the use of specified linguistic skills. Students will be guided in the development of a range of language learning strategies and transferable skills, such as independent learning.

Learning Outcomes

1. Find specific, predictable information in simple everyday materials such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus, reference lists, daily routines and timetables
2. Pick out and reproduce key words and phrases or short sentences from a short text within the learner’s limited competence and experience
3. Use some simple structures to write short, basic descriptions of events, past activities and personal experiences
4. Have appropriate control of the use of the Japanese writing systems, including a minimum of two syllabaries (Hiragana and Katakana) and 160 basic Kanji
5. Use basic sentence patterns and sufficient vocabulary to describe everyday aspects of his / her environment, future plans and arrangements, daily habits and routines, past activities and personal experiences, living and working conditions, likes and dislikes
6. Use IT skills in Japanese, where IT literacy skills will include word processing, web search, and accessing language-specific resources (Life-long Learning)



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Seminars20Twice Weekly Language Seminars / Tutorials
Online activity68Completion of On-line Hiragana Certificate Course (Japan Foundation) (14 Hours) Completion of On-line Katakana Certificate Course (Japan Foundation) (14 Hours) Engagement with Quizlet for acquisition of 160 Kanji
Independent Study162Students are required to 1)complete all homework tasks as outlined on LOOP notes 2)learn 16 new kanji every week 3)prepare and familiarise themselves with notes on LOOP in advance of class 4) Use extra study material that is on LOOP, such as Podcasts 5) Listen to one news item daily from news web easy Japan 6) create Quizlet sheets to manage vocabulary learning
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Specimen Syllabus
Acquisition of 160 kanji / Greetings and introduction / Exchanging Personal Information / Numbers, days, months, countries, nationalities, time and occurrences / Awareness of food, drink, menus, local gastronomy, restaurants and eating out / Asking for things / making requests / Hiragana and katakana alphabets and pronunciation / Models of speech and useful phrases / Describing habits, routine, pastimes and schedules / Locating and describing places, / Explaining what you do; what you study; your work / Making suggestions; agreeing and disagreeing; likes and dislikes / Talking about the past / Talking about your skills: saying what you can and cannot do /

Learning Activities
This module is task-based with emphasis on linguistic accuracy, pragmatic and sociocultural competence. Students will engage in reception, production and interactive activities, designed to build their confidence and provide them with linguistic competencies. Students will familiarise themselves with digital tools for language learners (eg Quizlet and News Web Easy Japan)

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Completion of online activityCompletion of On-line Hiragana Certificate Course (Japan Foundation)5%Week 1
Completion of online activityCompletion of On-line Katakana Certificate Course (Japan Foundation)5%Week 2
PortfolioTotal of 2 components submitted during the semester20%Other
Loop QuizComplete a number of tasks, include aural comprehension and written production10%Once per semester
In Class TestAssessment of Kanji acquired to date (held throughout the semester)30%As required
Oral ExaminationFree conversation based on langauge structures and vovabulary acquired in the module20%n/a
Written ExamLanguage accuracy - a written assessment focusing on language structures acquired in JA19310%Sem 1 End
Indicative Reading List

  • Banno, Eri; Ikeda, Yoko; Shinagawa, Chikako; Tajima, Kaori and Tokashiki, Kyoko: 2009, Kanji Look and Learn Workbook, Japan Times, ISBN978478901
  • Masatoshi Yoshida and Yoshikatsu Nakamura: 0, Furigana English-Japanese Dictionary, Kodansha,
  • Seiichi Makino and Michio Tsutsui: 0, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, Japan Times,
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List