Japanese Upper Intermediate (part 1)

Part 1 is the first of three modules where you will be aiming to achieve your JPLT N2 Level. In this course, you will be able to understand and speak topics of everyday situations in a variety of different settings.

As part of the course, you will be required to study independently to help increase learning. In your free time, you’ll be asked to watch Japanese films, articles and TV shows and discuss them in class.

You will continue to work on your writing skills, learning an additional 140 kanji and practice on traditional manuscript paper.

Who is it for?

To keep up in class you should have reached JLPT N3 level – around 240 hours of formal learning and a sufficient amount of independent study. You could have recently finished the full syllabus of our intermediate course, or similar. More can be found in the eligibility section.

Timetable

This course takes place once a week for 10 weeks.

Benefits

• Study towards JLPT N2 level
• Small class size helps build a supportive study group
• Explore modern-day culture through books, film and music.

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

• easily converse about hobbies and interests
• express personal feelings and emotions with reasons
• organise meetings with friends and colleagues
• join conversations discussing familiar everyday topics.

Grammatical structures

• Below are a sample of some of the many grammatical structures you will learn throughout the course.
• 直ちに（ただちに） at once, immediately, directly, in person, automatically-
• 次第（しだい） as soon as, dependent upon
• と考えられる（とかんがえられる） one can think that, it is conceivable that, considered-
• ふうに this way, that way, in such a way, how
• をめぐって concerning, in regard to-
• それにしても nevertheless, at any rate, even so, be that as it may-
• 以外（いがい） with the exception of, excepting-
• て以来（ていらい） since, henceforth-
• てでも even if I have to, by all means-
• ところを見ると（ところをみると） judging from, seeing that-
• いわゆる what is called, as it is called, the so-called, so to speak
• ないではいられない can’t help but feel, can’t help but do-
• といった like, such as-
• ばかり about, approximately-
• にわたって throughout, over a period of-
• どころではない not the time for, not the place for, far from, anything but-
• に先立ち（にさきだち） before, prior to-
• 以上に（いじょうに） more than, not less than, beyond-
• かのように as if, just like-
• かねる unable to do something, can’t do something

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.

You won’t need to sit an exam at the end of the course, but you will be required to complete several hours of homework each week.

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 fluency through role-play and delivering short presentations.

Much of the course relies on your commitment to additional learning at home, not only to help keep up in class but to improve and increase your knowledge.

It is the right level if you have either:

• completed our intermediate syllabus or equivalent
• studied formally for 240 hours plus additional independent learning
• good JLPT N3 level.
• 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:

• share your thoughts on familiar topics
• express your feelings, especially about something you particularly care about
• strongly assert your opinion about the outlook for the future
• give a somewhat critical assessment of a familiar person
• precisely explain a troubling situation and express a sentiment felt then
• use around 650 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.