Japanese Advanced (part 3)

Part 3 will equip you with the skills to communicate in a variety of settings. You will learn new structures and vocabulary around different topics to extend the range of expression in this highly communicative course.

This is a challenging online course which requires some independent learning – but we will ensure that your tutor will give you support that you need throughout the classes. In your free time, you’ll be asked to watch Japanese films, articles and TV shows and discuss them in the lessons.

You will continue to work on your writing skills, learning an additional 100 kanji and practice on traditional manuscript paper. You’ll also use apps such as ‘Anki’ and ‘Quizlet’ to support your learning, as well as paper cards to help memorise Kanji.

At the end of this final module, you’ll have an opportunity to sit a mock test based on the JPLT N1 test to help you decide whether you are ready to take the accredited test. Although this mock test is at the same level as the JLPT N1, we cannot guarantee the results of the actual JLPT N1.

Who is it for?

To keep up in class you should have reached a good JLPT N2 level – around 340 hours of formal learning and substantial amount of independent study. You may have recently finished part 2 of our advanced syllabus, or similar. More can be found in the eligibility section.

Timetable

This course takes place once a week for two hours over 10 weeks with an intake in April/May.

Benefits

• Opportunity to take a mock JLPT N1 level test
• Taught online allowing easy access to learning
• Led by an experienced native Japanese tutor.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• speak polite or casual Japanese depending on the person you are conversing with
• read and understand main points covered in articles on politics, economics in newspapers and magazines
• write reports on topics you specialise in.

Grammatical structures

• Below are a sample of some of the many grammatical structures you will learn throughout the course.
• かたがたwhile, at the same time, for the purpose of
• たる(those) who are, (that) which is,
• ずくめcompletely, entirely, nothing but
• であれ/であろうとwhoever / whatever / however
• こそあれalthough, even though
• うと～うと/うが～うがwhether/even if [A] or [B].
• ぐるみtogether (with), -wide
• までだonly, just, nothing else
• とみられるregarded as, appears/expected to..
• そばからas soon as
• ものとするshall, to assume, understood as
• かたわらwhile, at the same time, in addition
• 限りだ（かぎりだ）to feel strongly
• のやら・ものやら・ことやらI wonder.., unsure
• までもないit is not necessary to-
• たりとも(not) even, (not) any
• なり～なりor
• つ～つtwo contrasting actions
• に言わせればif you ask..., if one may say...
• がてらwhile, on the same occasion, at the same time, coincidentally-
• といわずnot only, both (without distinction)

You will be awarded an official City, University of London certificate on completion of the course if you attend over 70 per cent of the classes. The course is not formally accredited.

On completion of part 3 there will be a mock test which you will need to pass to graduate from the course.

Teaching

We can tailor the course to your individual needs. Your tutor will work with you to identify areas where you excel and those which need more development. This will help you make effective use of your independent study time.

The weekly classes allow you to catch up with your tutor and classmates, and to discuss any films or TV clips you have watched over the week. You’ll also get time to practice your pronunciation through role-play and delivering short presentations.

At this level you are expected to be studying daily to enhance your learning and comfortable to put in several hours outside of the classroom to your practice.

It is the right level if you have either:

• completed our Advanced Japanese (Part 2) course or equivalent
• studied formally for 360 hours
• good JLPT N2 level
• be able to study for several hours a week independently.

Your tutor can assess you prior to enrolment to help determine your level and if this course is right for you.

You should already be able to:

• talk about your hobbies and interests
• express personal feelings and emotions with reasons
• be able to organise meetings with friends and colleagues
• join conversations discussing familiar everyday topics
• generally understand TV shows or movies in standard Japanese
• understand the content of official letters and e-mails written in polite Japanese
• understand the content of general articles in newspapers and magazine
• Use around 2,136 kanji.

We offer a variety of courses, so if this isn’t the right level, take a look at the others we teach.

Please contact tutor Taka Ogura at t.ogura@city.ac.uk to discuss which course is suitable for you.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course, although, at this level the classes will mainly be taught in Japanese.