Elementary
Time: Elementary Group 1: Tuesday 18:00 - 20:00
Elementary Group 2: Thursday 16:00 - 18:00
Tutor: Group 1 : Keiko Harada
Group 2 : Nahoko Mulvey
Coursebook : *Minna no Nihongo I (Shokyuu beginner) 2nd ver.
(ISBN978-4-88319-603-6)
**Minna no Nihongo Shokyu [2nd ver] vol. 1 Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshucho
(ISBN: 978-4-88319-607-4
***(as a reference) Minna no Nihongo Shokyu (2 nd ver) vol.1 Translation &
Grammatical Notes English ver. ISBN 978-4-88319-604-3
Prerequisites:
The course is aimed at students who completed OPAL Basic Japanese course last year or students of
the same ability. The ultimate aim of the course is to learn further basic skills so that students can
communicate more confidently and express themselves in wider contexts using the four skills:
reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Participants are expected to do a substantial amount of homework and preparation for each lesson,
which will amount to at least an additional four hours’ work per week.
Regular attendance is essential. A high level of commitment and dedication will be appreciated.
A short Kanji class is also available. All students who take the Elementary class are strongly advised
to participate in the Kanji class as well. Please have a look at the OPAL Japanese Kanji programme.
Course material:
The course is taught in Japanese and in English using the textbook Minna no Nihongo 2nd ver. vol.1
(ISBN 978-4-88319-603-6 Publisher: 3A Corporation) and Minna no Nihongo Shokyu [2nd ver] vol. 1
Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshucho (ISBN: 9784883196074)
(as a reference) Minna no Nihongo Shokyu (2nd ver) vol.1 Translation & Grammatical Notes English
ver, (ISBN 9784883196043) as well as other printed exercises and audio/video material.
Course description:
The course will cover the Lessons 14-25 of the textbook Please note that you will be provided with a
detailed ‘week-by-week’ course syllabus and a self-study guide at the beginning of each term.
Structural content:
Revision of adjectives (Comparison and Superlative forms)
Various uses of ‘te-form’ (Asking other people to do something, progressive form, etc.)
Expression of prohibition; ‘must’, and ‘don’t have to’.
Expression of ability
How to express one’s past experiences
Plain style of verbs
Casual style in speaking with friends
Quoting thoughts and what one hears
Relative clause
‘When’ clause
Expression of: someone doing something for you / you doing something for somebody
Conditional forms
Communicative content:
Informal speaking
Talking about daily routine works
Talking about school rules
Describing what you can do
Leaving messages on the telephone
Expressing one’s future plans
Predicting one’s future
Japanese basic Assessment framework
Continuous assessment (participation, coursework)
Progress test at the end of Michaelmas term
Two-hour examination at the beginning of Trinity term
Project to be presented by the end of week 5 during Trinity term
15%
15%
35%
35%
Final marks & recommendation:
50 – 59 Pass
60 – 69 Good Pass
70 – 79 Pass with merit
80 + Distinction
Learning outcomes:
We will complete chapters 13 to 25 in the textbook. The students will learn a wider range of everyday
expressions and vocabulary and will be able to use it more fluently. The students will also be able to
read and write more complex sentences. They will find themselves more confident in using various
forms. By the time they complete the course, the students will be at a level similar to the grammatical
equivalent to Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), Level 4.