Module: Japanese Language Skills (Advanced)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Japanese Language Skills (Advanced)
Module Code	JPN1016 (ITS: JA497)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

The module is designed to help students returning from their year abroad to further develop their communication skills in Japanese, in terms of both spoken and written production and interaction. Through interaction in the online classroom, assigned work and initiatives undertaken independent of the immediate classroom context, learners are expected to strive towards a high degree of proficiency essential to function in a social and professional environment. All language contact in this module is through the target language.

Learning Outcomes

1. To identify the relevant contents of a wide range of factual and argumentative texts on contemporary problems, commenting on and discussing contrasting points of view and the main themes, in order to produce a text to summarise/outline the issues at hand.
2. To actively engage in, and contribute to, the discussion by identifying accurately arguments supporting and opposing particular points of view to provide feedback and lead the flow of the discussion
3. To show an interpersonal skill to establish grounds for smooth communication in the target language, such as initiating and maintaining contacts including small talks.
4. To present a systematic and precise argument in spoken and written language, with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting detail to persuade the audience.
5. To express their own viewpoint and opinion while making connections to relevant current affairs as well as societal and cultural matters in a formal or informal register, appropriate to the situation and person(s) concerned
6. To choose appropriate computer-supported communication tool and digital resources and make efficient and critical use of such tools and resources to achieve a (collaborative) goal

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Online activity	22	Synchronous online sessions: Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion with individual contribution to whole-class and small group discussions (22 hours).
Directed learning	68	Directed self-study: Preparation for synchronous sessions is essential for the success of this module; this includes reading/watching the required materials before the session and completing any assigned activities. Students are expected to engage autonomously in activities that will foster their language acquisition (through tandem-work, group work outside the scheduled synchronous sessions etc.). (68 hours)
Independent Study	80	CA1 preparation and completion
Independent Study	50	CA2 preparation and completion
Independent Study	30	CA3 preparation and completion
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10854	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	Lijie Shao	Module Teacher	Ryoko Sasamoto, Sakiko Pawlak

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Portfolio	Learning Portfolio. Components will include Self-study record, event report, media report, weekly reading report (peer reading), and project progress report Submissions throughout two semesters	40%	n/a
Assignment	Written Summary	20%	n/a
Oral Examination	Project Reporting (discussion and presentation)	40%	n/a

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

Reading skills
Students will read texts drawn from Japanese news, media and literature to develop their critical reading abilities, and to support their acquisition of self-sustaining knowledge of Japanese current affairs at an appropriately detailed level. Students will be supported through peer and guided reading practices.

Interactive and interpersonal Skills
Students will practice their interactive communication skills, through small talks and other interactions, throughout their task-based activities both in class and as part of their structured independent learning.

Writing skills
Students will demonstrate competence in writing and reporting skills using an appropriate register and style.

Oral and Aural Skills
Students will practice their oral and aural skills, through task-based activities which involve debate, discussion and presentations. Students will achieve a comfortable familiarity with different registers of politeness, appropriate to function as an independent language user in different social situations and contexts including the professional workplace. The focus will be placed on social and business related Japanese current affairs to facilitate their development as an independent language user.

Work format
Students will engage in individual as well as pair/group work in class and outside. Students are expected to take ownership for their language learning progress by initiating learning opportunities for themselves beyond the hybrid classroom.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None