Japanese Upper Intermediate (part 2)

Part 2 continues to teach you to be able to understand Japanese in everyday settings. You’ll start to learn how to converse at work conducting more complex conversations.

This is course requires a substantial amount independent learning – but we will ensure that you feel well supported throughout. 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 100 kanji and practice on traditional manuscript paper.

At the end of the module, you’ll have an opportunity to sit a mock test, based on the JPLT N2 test. This will help you to decide whether to consolidate the same level or move up to the next class.

Who is it for?

To keep up in class you should have reached good JLPT N3 level – around 260 hours of formal learning and some independent study. You could have recently finished part 1 of our upper intermediate syllabus, or similar. More can be found in the eligibility section.

Timetable

This course takes place once a week for 10 weeks.

Benefits

• Study towards a JPLT N2
• 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:

• talk about experiences and expectations in a job interview
• converse with friends or colleagues about travel plans, parties or holidays
• with preparation, make a short speech at an occasion such as a leaving do
• ask questions about items you would like to purchase.

Grammatical structures

• Below are a sample of some of the many grammatical structures you will learn throughout the course.
• につき due to, because of, per, each
• に関わる（にかかわる） to relate to, to have to do with, relating to-
• ろくに～ない not well, not enough, improperly, insufficiently, unsatisfactorily
• たまえ do-, order somebody to do something
• に決まっている（にきまっている） certainly, I’m sure/certain that, it must be the case that-
• ことなく without doing something even once
• 上（じょう） for the sake of, from the standpoint of, as a matter of, in terms of-
• とっくに long ago, already, a long time ago
• はもとより also, let alone, from the beginning
• かねない (someone) might do something, something might happen
• わずかに slightly, only, barely, narrowly-
• にせよ/ にしろ even if, regardless, whether... or
• 何も～ない（なにも～ない） nothing, (not) - at all, there’s no need to-
• からには now that, since, so long as, because-
• 一気に（いっきに） in one go, without stopping, all at once, immediately, instantly, right away-
• からすると / からすれば judging from, considering, by the look of-
• ものではない shouldn’t do something, it’s impossible to-
• てならない can't help but, dying to, extremely-
• にしても～にしても regardless of whether-

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.

Your tutor will give regular feedback and encourage you to sit a mock exam based on JLPT N2 level.

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.

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 260 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:

• 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
• use another 140 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.