Chat to locals with more fluency and depth with our Japanese Lower Intermediate course, taught over a year and starting in October.
No starting dates
-
Starting date to be confirmed
- Duration: 30 weeks (non-consecutive) (unconfirmed)
- Fees: £599 (unconfirmed)
- Location: Online (unconfirmed)
Japanese Lower Intermediate (Full Syllabus) Course overview
Taught over 30 classes, this Japanese lower intermediate course will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Japanese language and culture, allowing you to communicate with native speakers in a more natural way.
You’ll learn to use less formal language to chit-chat about your hobbies, describe your exercise routine or recall landmarks you’ve visited.
You’ll be introduced to a further 150 new kanji characters and new grammar structures including volitional and conditional forms, passive verbs and using quantifiers to add description. You’ll examine respectful and humble expressions, allowing you to communicate in the most appropriate manner whatever the situation.
By the end of the course, you’ll be confident in communicating at JLPT N4 level, according to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Who is it for?
Completed the Beyond Beginners syllabus? Feel confident communicating at JLPT N5 level? Studied Japanese formally for around 120 hours? These are all good indicators of whether this course is right for you. See the eligibility section for more.
Find out more about our Japanese courses
Timetable
The course includes 60 hours of learning and is taught across three terms, starting in October and finishing in July.
October – December (part 1)
One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for ten consecutive weeks.
Christmas Break
January – March (part 2)
One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for ten consecutive weeks.
Easter Break
April/May – July (part 3)
One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for ten consecutive weeks.
Benefits
- Signing up to the full course is more cost effective than paying for each module separately
- If you are considering taking a formal exam, this course is ideal preparation for the JLPT N4
- Taught in small groups by an experienced Japanese tutor, these classes are in high demand
What will I learn?
By the end of the course you will be able to
- Understand 150 more kanji
- talk about your hobbies
- ask someone to do something for you
- describe what you lost at the station
- talk about what you want to do
- book theatre tickets
- explain about the company transfer
- describe your symptoms to a doctor
- know how to deal with a parking ticket
- enquire about a ski tour
- talk about your daily routine, including exercise and the foods you eat
- apologise for being late
- express gratitude, worries and concerns
- ask someone to look after something for you
- use expressions for giving and receiving
- enquire about someone’s personal circumstances
- talk about landmarks
- talk about someone’s physical features and personality
- talk about what others have done
- ask someone to convey a message on your behalf
- talk about imminent actions
- go to a hairdresser and ask for a particular style from a photo.
Grammatical structures including
- Plain form んです。
A: どうしたんですか。B: お腹がすごく痛いんです。
A: What's wrong? B: I have terrible stomach-ache. - Vて-form いただけませんか。
先生、この本を貸していただけませんか。
Sir, could you lend me this book? - Interrogative Vた-formら いいですか。
パスポートを失くしました。どうしたらいいでしょうか。
I lost my passport. What should I do now? - Potential verbs
漢字が300字書けます。
I can write 300 kanji. - How to use the volitional form
パブに行って、ビールを飲もう。
Let’s go to the pub and drink a beer. - Use of the imperative and prohibitive forms
あのサインは、「まっすぐ行け。」という意味です。
That sign means "go straight." - How to make the conditional form
信じていれば夢はかないます。
If you keep believing, your dreams will come true - V dictionary form のは adjective です
漢字を書くのは、楽しいです。
Writing kanji is fun. - V dictionary form のを 忘れました
図書館に本を返すのを忘れてしまいました。
I forgot to return the book to the library. - Passive verbs
アメリカ大陸はコロンブスによって発見されました。
The Americas were discovered by Columbus. - Quantifier は
日本では結婚式をするのに200万円は要ります。
In Japan you need at least 2 million yen to hold a wedding. - Quantifierも
ヒースロー空港に行くのに2時間もかかりました。
It took as long as two hours to get into Heathrow Airport - Causative verbs
先生は、生徒に自由に意見を言わせました。
The teacher let students freely voice their opinions. - V causative て-form いただけませんか
友だちの結婚式があるので、早退させていただけませんか。
As I am going to attend my friend’s wedding, would you please let me leave earlier? - 尊敬語 (respectful expressions)
社長は、お寿司を召し上がります。
The president eats sushi. - 謙譲語 (humble expressions)
明日、社長にお目にかかります。
I will see the president tomorrow.
Assessment and certificates
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.
Assessment
You won’t need to sit an exam at the end of the course, but you will be required to complete around two hours of homework each week.
Your tutor will give regular feedback to help your development towards JLPT N4 level.
Teaching
This course takes a very active approach to developing your skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking; with lots of interaction with your teacher and fellow students.
You’ll share short scripts you’ve written for homework – examples could include writing about your family or hometown or making simple notes to friends and colleagues.
Alongside the core textbook, we’ll use authentic material including film and audio clips to improve your listening and comprehension skills.
Eligibility
It is the right level if you have either:
- completed our Beyond Beginners syllabus, or equivalent elsewhere
- studied formally for 120 hours
- reached the JLPT N5 level.
You should already be able to:
- Express your opinion
- talk about getting on and off means of transportation
- understand direct speech and reported speech, how they differ
- when to use conditional expression
- understand statements involving receiving or giving actions.
If you are new and want to join this course please contact Taka, our Japanese tutor on t.ogura@city.ac.uk so he can assess your level.
Looking for something different? Then check out the other courses we offer.
English requirements
You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.