- Online, In-Person
- $435 - $445
If you have little or no previous knowledge of Japanese, this is the right level for you. Start by learning the Japanese sound system and its pronunciation. You learn basic structure and vocabulary that allow you to function in everyday settings such as greetings, introducing yourself, sharing information about yourself and asking simple questions of those around you. You begin to understand foundational language structures including verb forms and their uses. Native-speaking instructors provide you with insight into the culture, traditions and etiquette of Japan. One of the Japanese writing systems, Hiragana, is introduced at this level.
Course outline
Course objectives
In this course you will learn the structure and vocabulary to function in everyday situations such as exchanging basic information about yourself and others, describing daily activities, ordering food in a restaurant, and describing your likes and dislikes.
Course content
- Sound system and pronunciation
- Greetings and daily expressions
- Introducing oneself: name, occupation, hobby, nationality, etc.
- Sharing the names of things and describing ownership
- Telling time, naming days and months
- Shopping, ordering food in a restaurant
- Describing daily activities and asking questions: Non-past and past tense, interrogative questions
- Expressing likes and dislikes: food, sports, music, etc.
- Hiragana: Learn to read and write the Japanese phonetic characters, Hiragana
How am I assessed?
This is a non-credit course without letter or numerical grades. You receive verbal feedback on your conversation and grammar skills from your instructor during class. Written homework is typically corrected in class. Some lesson modules may include quizzes.
Record of completion
A record of completion will be emailed to students who participate and satisfy the course requirements within two weeks of the course end date. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Course format
This course is offered 100% online.
Materials will be available in Canvas for three weeks after the course ends, after which time you will no longer be able to access the course.
About online learning Our online conversational language courses offer you a real-time virtual classroom experience where you can see and interact with your teacher and classmates. Each week, you log in at a set time to your class using our intuitive learning management platform, Canvas. Through Canvas, you access Zoom, a web conferencing app, for your live class. Just like in a classroom, you do individual, pair and group work, ask questions and receive verbal feedback from your instructor.
Outside of class time, you can access handouts and other materials online at your own pace and rhythm. You might be doing readings or watching videos to prepare for your next class, or practising with the material you have learned in your previous class. You do get out what you put in.
In order for a virtual classroom to be successful, we want to see your faces! Please be prepared to participate with your video turned on. We provide virtual drop-in sessions for you to test out the Zoom app before your first day of class. We will also send you instructions on accessing Canvas before your course begins.