(offered fall and spring)

Japanese Language Courses

The Japanese language classes are divided into two distinct categories: required "Japanese" courses and elective "Kanji and Readings" courses. These courses are taught by a full complement of native Japanese language instructors who combine years of experience with a unique ability to teach a language that has been viewed as one of the most difficult languages to learn.

Japanese(5 semester credits each)

The "Japanese" courses are required of all program participants to equip them with four major skills (speaking, listening, writing and reading). Each 90-minute class meets three times a week and is limited to 10-15 students per class. This permits instructors to devote a great deal of individual attention to each student. In addition to classroom instruction, most students spend a great deal of time in the computer labs, where they are able to learn on an individual basis with the aid of audio materials, films, and computer programs, developed by Kansai Gaidai Japanese language instructors.

Japanese Language Courses

Japanese 1

This is an elementary level course in Japanese for beginners who have no formal training in the language. This course aims to provide a basic foundation that will enable students to acquire and develop language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Japanese. Approximately 300 vocabulary words and 40 kanji will be introduced. This course will cover Lesson 1 through Lesson 6 of Genki I Third edition, which is equivalent to CEFR** A1-1 level proficiency (speaking). By the end of the course, students should be able to read and write Japanese letters (Hiragana, Katakana, and 40 Kanji), speak in Japanese using basic vocabulary (approx. 300 basic nouns, verbs, adjectives, and expressions), and function in everyday situations such as making requests, stating reasons, describing things, etc.

Japanese 2

Prerequisite: Japanese 1 (or its equivalent)

This course is the second level in elementary Japanese. New students must pass a placement test to enroll. Students will continue to develop their basic communication skills in Japanese. The course focuses on extensive speaking and listening practice, introducing vocabulary, grammar, and expressions, such as te-forms, short forms, comparison, and stating desire. This course also focuses on developing students’ writing skills for communicative purposes. Approximately 300 words and 70 kanji will be introduced. This course will cover Lesson 6 through Lesson 12 of Genki I Third edition, which is equivalent to JLPT* N5 or CEFR** A1-2 level proficiency (speaking). By the end of the course, students should be able to use vocabulary (approx. 300 basic nouns, verbs, adjectives, and expressions) and function in everyday situations, such as expressing opinions, talking about experiences, giving advice, etc.

Japanese 3

Prerequisite: Japanese 2 (or its equivalent)

This course is the third level in elementary Japanese. New students must pass a placement test in order to enroll. Students will continue to develop their Japanese from the foundational skills established in the pre-requisite elementary level courses. This course focuses on extensive speaking and listening practice, introducing vocabulary, grammar and expressions. The course also introduces writing skills for communication. Approximately 300 words and 90 kanji will be introduced. This course will cover Lesson 13 through Lesson 18 of Genki II Third edition, which is equivalent to JLPT* N4 and N5 or CEFR** A2-1 level proficiency (speaking). By the end of the course, students should be able to function in everyday situations, such as saying what one can or cannot do, explaining about people or things in detail, apologizing, talking about hopes and wishes, conveying hearsay, etc.

Japanese 4

Prerequisite: Japanese 3 (or its equivalent)

This course is the fourth level in elementary Japanese. New students must pass a placement test in order to enroll. Students will continue to develop their Japanese from the foundational skills established in the pre-requisite elementary level courses. A variety of classroom activities are designed to improve all four skills: listening, speaking, writing and reading. Approximately 320 words and 150 kanji will be introduced. This course will cover Lesson 18 through Lesson 23 of Genki II Third edition, which is equivalent to JLPT* N4 or CEFR** A2-2 level proficiency (speaking). By the end of the course, students should be able to gain knowledge of basic grammar and idiomatic expressions commonly encountered in daily Japanese life, such as honorific and humble expressions, demonstrate basic writing skills and an ability to express ideas in coherent paragraphs, and read and write email texts, letters, short essays, etc.

Japanese 5

Prerequisite: Japanese 4 (or its equivalent)

This course is designed for students who have completed their studies using comprehensive beginner textbooks such as Genki and are ready to progress to the first level of intermediate Japanese. This course aims to develop fundamental communication skills that empower individuals to express their opinions and construct simple sentences on everyday topics. The course focuses on acquiring grammar and expression skills equivalent to JLPT* N3 while aiming to achieve CEFR** B1-1 level proficiency in the four language skills. The course includes various activities such as mini-speeches, video projects, and interactions with local students at our university. Students are expected to recognize approximately 300 kanji before the course. The course materials consist of packets prepared by the language faculty at Kansai Gaidai University.

Japanese 6

Prerequisite: Japanese 5 (or its equivalent)

This course is intended for students who have completed one or two semesters of intermediate-level Japanese. The objective of this course is to actively engage in conversations, participate in reading/writing activities on various everyday topics, and effectively communicate opinions and information. The course focuses on acquiring grammar and expression skills equivalent to JLPT* N2 and N3 while aiming to achieve CEFR** B1-2 proficiency in the four language skills. The course includes presentations, discussions on everyday life topics, studying TV drama materials, and mastering the ability to explain information through charts and graphs. The course materials consist of packets prepared by the language faculty at Kansai Gaidai University.

Japanese 7

Prerequisite: Japanese 6 (or its equivalent)

This course is the first level of advanced Japanese. This course aims to enhance the ability to comprehend and produce advanced written materials, actively engage in discussions and exchange ideas, and skillfully express viewpoints while understanding others' perspectives. The course focuses on acquiring grammar and expression skills equivalent to JLPT* N1 and N2 while aiming to achieve CEFR** B2-1 level proficiency in the four language skills. The course includes speeches, discussions on social issues related to daily life, presentations, and project work. The course materials consist of packets prepared by the language faculty at Kansai Gaidai University.

Japanese 8A/B

Prerequisite: Japanese 7 (or its equivalent)

This course is the second level of advanced Japanese. Japanese 8A is offered in the fall semester, and Japanese 8B is offered in the spring semester. Different course materials are used for each. This course aims to further enhance students' Japanese language skills by engaging with advanced texts and complex subjects. Students will learn to express their opinions logically and in detail while providing supporting information for explanations and arguments. The course focuses on acquiring grammar and expression skills equivalent to JLPT* N1 while aiming to achieve CEFR** B2-2 level proficiency in the four language skills. This course includes presentations, project work, and discussions that address a wide range of diverse and complex social issues. The course materials consist of packets prepared by the language faculty at Kansai Gaidai University.

* The Japanese Language Proficiency Test
** The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Kanji & Readings(3 semester credits each)

The 90-minute elective "Kanji and Readings" courses, which meet two times a week, are designed to accelerate acquisition of skills in particular areas focused on writing kanji, reading authentic Japanese readings and so on.

Kanji and Readings 1

The first level of reading and writing Japanese. This course is for those who are enrolled in Japanese 1. No prior knowledge of written Japanese is necessary. This course aims at developing reading and writing skills in Japanese on simple everyday topics such as diaries, messages, and letters. Approximately 60 kanji will be introduced during the course. This course will cover Lessons 1 through 6 of the Reading and Writing section of Genki I third edition.

Kanji and Readings 2

Prerequisite: Kanji and Readings 1 (or its equivalent)

The second level of reading and writing Japanese. This course is for those who are enrolled in Japanese 2 or higher level. Students should be able to read and write hiragana, katakana and about 40 basic kanji. Approximately 150 more kanji will be introduced during the course. We will read articles in the style of letters, diaries, etc. This course will cover Lessons 3 through 11 of Kanji Look and Learn textbook and workbook.

Kanji and Readings 3

Prerequisite: Kanji and Readings 2 (or its equivalent)

The third level of reading and writing Japanese. This course is for those who are enrolled in Japanese 3 or higher level. Students should be able to read/write approximately 200 kanji. Approximately 160 more kanji will be introduced during the semester. Besides practicing reading/writing kanji, we will read various articles such as letters, diaries, essays, and so forth. We will also practice writing on topics related to the reading materials. This course will cover Lessons 12 through 21 of Kanji Look and Learn textbook and workbook.

Kanji and Readings 4

Prerequisite: Kanji and Readings 3 (or its equivalent)

The fourth level of reading and writing Japanese. This course is for those who are enrolled in Japanese 4 or higher level. Students must hold an understanding of basic Japanese grammar. In this class, students will be using basic grammar tools to focus on reading and writing on various topics, while expanding their kanji and vocabulary. About 170 more kanji will be introduced during the semester. We will read materials, including a biography, an advertisement and a questionnaire. We will also practice writing on topics related to the reading materials. This course will cover Lessons 22 through 32 of Kanji Look and Learn textbook and workbook.

Kanji and Readings 5

Prerequisite: Kanji and Readings 4 (or its equivalent)

This course is the first level of intermediate reading and writing Japanese, and is suitable for preliminary preparations for Level 2 (N2) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Students should be able to recognize and produce approximately 500 kanji characters. This course aims at developing reading skills especially focused on essays, novels, newspaper, and editorials. Students will also learn approximately 370 kanji characters and 1,000 vocabulary words.

Textbook: Nihongo so-matome N2 Dokkai and Nihongo so-matome N2 Kanji.

Kanji and Readings 6

Prerequisite: Kanji and Readings 5 (or its equivalent)

This course is an early to intermediate stage for the advanced reading and writing Japanese. Students should be able to recognize and produce approximately 800 kanji characters. This course aims at developing reading skills especially focused on essays, novels, newspaper, and editorials to the extent of passing the Japanese Proficiency Test Level 2. Students will also learn a total of approximately 350 and 1,000 words composed of kanji through being exposed to many common signs and sentences by the end of the semester.

Textbook: Nihongo so-matome N2 Dokkai and Nihongo so-matome N2 Kanji.

Kanji and Readings 7

Prerequisite: Kanji and Readings 6 (or its equivalent)

This course is an early to intermediate stage for the advanced reading and writing Japanese and is suitable for preliminary preparations for Level 1 (N1) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Students should be able to recognize and produce approximately 900 kanji characters. More kanji characters (about 500) from the Joyo Kanji (2,136 kanji) will be introduced. Students are required to read authentic reading materials such as novels, essays, newspaper articles and book chapters. Students should develop their writing skills to be able to present their critical opinions related to the assigned reading topics.

Textbook: Nihongo so-matome N1 Dokkai and Nihongo so-matome N1 Kanji (Authentic materials such as Japanese newspapers, magazines, essays and novels will be used as supplementary readings).

Kanji and Readings 8A/B

Prerequisite: Kanji and Readings 7 (or its equivalent)

Kanji and Readings 8A is offered in the fall semester and Kanji and Readings 8B is offered in the spring semester. They are offered with different course materials. This is the advanced reading and writing Japanese course and is suitable for students who are at around Level 1 (N1) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Students should be able to recognize and produce approximately 1,400 kanji. The Joyo Kanji (2,136 kanji) will be regularly used during the semester. This course aims at developing academic writing skills in Japanese in more serious and academic topics. Students are required to read authentic materials such as novels, essays, editorials, and so forth, and to write short articles/essays about the topics related to their reading.

Textbook: Nihongo so-matome N1 Dokkai and Nihongo so-matome N1 Kanji (Authentic materials such as Japanese newspapers, magazines, essays or novels will also be used throughout the semester).