Module: Japanese Language 1A

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Japanese Language 1A
Module Code	JPN1001 (ITS: JA193)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

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)

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	20	Twice Weekly Language Seminars / Tutorials
Online activity	68	Completion 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 Study	162	Students 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

Section Breakdown
CRN	10845	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Niamh Kelly	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Completion of On-line Hiragana Certificate Course (Japan Foundation)	5%	Week 1
Completion of online activity	Completion of On-line Katakana Certificate Course (Japan Foundation)	5%	Week 2
Portfolio	Total of 2 components submitted during the semester	20%	Other
Loop Quiz	Complete a number of tasks, include aural comprehension and written production	10%	Once per semester
In Class Test	Assessment of Kanji acquired to date (held throughout the semester)	30%	As required
Oral Examination	Free conversation based on langauge structures and vovabulary acquired in the module	20%	n/a
Written Exam	Language accuracy - a written assessment focusing on language structures acquired in JA193	10%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None