Japanese Course descriptions
Kanji 1
Time: Thursday 17:30-18:00
Tutor: Keiko Harada
Course book: Minna No Nihongo: Kanji - English Edition Bk. 1 (ISBN: 978-4883191475)
Prerequisites:
This is a half hour class aimed at students who take a Japanese course at OPAL and have a keen
interest in learning kanji from scratch, alongside grammar practice. The ultimate aim of the
course is to learn the most essential kanji (around 150 characters as well as compound words) so
that the students can have a deeper understanding of the Japanese writing system. Participants
are expected to do a substantial amount of homework and preparation for each lesson. There is a
weekly test on writing kanji. Regular attendance is essential. A high level of commitment and
dedication will be appreciated.
Course material:
The course is taught in English and in Japanese using the textbook Minna No Nihongo: Kanji English Edition Bk. 1 (978-4883191475)
Course description:
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:
Each week, the students are required to memorize around 8 new kanji which they are tested on
the following week. The class will be devoted only to exercises relating to kanji.
Japanese Kanji class Assessment framework
This course consists of learning new Kanji and of weekly tests. The result of each test will not
be included in the assessment of the main courses (Basic, Elementary). However, students are
encouraged to use their additional knowledge of kanji in their main course and will merit in
doing so. The kanji class is an optional class
which will not be formally assessed. It is intended to lead to better understanding of
the Japanese language.
Learning outcomes:
The students will learn the most basic 150 kanji. They will be able to read and write in the
combination of kanji, hiragana and katakana. They will also learn wider vocabulary consisting
of kanji compounds. The level of kanji acquisition of this course will be more or less equal to
the kanji level of Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Level 5.
Kanji 2
Times: Wednesday 17:30-18:00
Tutor: Keiko Harada
Course book: Minna No Nihongo: Kanji - English Edition Bk. 1 (ISBN: 978-4883191475)
Prerequisites:
This class is the continuation of the thirty minute kanji class 1, aimed at students who take a
Japanese course at OPAL and have a keen interest in expanding their knowledge of kanji
alongside grammar practice. The ultimate aim of the course is to learn the most essential kanji
(around 300~characters as well as compound words) so that students can have a deeper
understanding of the Japanese writing system. Participants are expected to do a substantial
amount of homework and preparation for each lesson. There is a weekly test on kanji writing.
Regular attendance is essential. A high level of commitment and dedication will be appreciated.
Course material:
The course is taught in English and in Japanese using the textbook Minna No Nihongo: Kanji English Edition Bk. 1 (ISBN: 978-4883191475)
Course description:
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:
Each week, the students are required to memorize around 8 new kanji, which they are tested on
the following week. The class will be devoted only to exercises related to kanji.
Japanese Kanji class Assessment framework
This course consists of learning new Kanji and of weekly tests. The result of each test will not
be included in the assessment of the main courses (Basic, Elementary). However, students are
encouraged to use their additional knowledge of kanji in their main course and will merit in
doing so. The kanji class is an optional class which will not be formally assessed. It is intended
to lead to better understanding of the Japanese language.
Learning outcomes:
The students will learn the most basic 300+ kanji. They will be able to read and write in the
combination of kanji, hiragana and katakana. They will also learn wider vocabulary consisting
of kanji compounds. The level of kanji acquisition of this course will be more or less equal to
the kanji level of Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Level 4.
Basic
Time: Thursday 18:00-20:00
Tutor: Group 1: Keiko Harada
Group 2 : Nahoko Mulvey
Coursebook: *Minna no Nihongo I (Shokyuu beginner) 2nd ver.
*Minna no Nihongo Shokyu [2nd ver] vol. 1 Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshucho
* (as a reference ) Minna no Nihongo Shokyu (2nd ver) vol.1 Translation &
Grammatical Notes English ver.
Prerequisites:
The course is aimed at complete beginners who have a keen interest in Japan and a great
enthusiasm for learning the language. The ultimate aim of the course is to enable learners to
communicate using 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 three hours’ work per week.
Regular attendance is essential. A high level of commitment and dedication will be appreciated.
There is a short Kanji class available. If you are interested Kanji, please have a look at the
OPAL Japanese Kanji programme.
Course material:
The course is taught in English and in Japanese 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:
Please note that the students will be provided with a detailed ‘week-by-week’ course syllabus
and a self-study guide at the beginning of each term.
Structural content:
Usage of different particles
Numbers/days of the week/days of the month
Various counters to count different things
Conjugation of verbs (present, present negative, past and past negative forms).
The verbs for ‘receiving’ and ‘giving’
Adjectives
Expressions of ‘liking’, ‘understanding’
Expression of existence
Expression of desire, ‘wanting to do’.
Various usages of ‘te-form’. (Asking other people to do something. Progressive form, etc.).
Communicative content:
Introducing oneself, talking about others
Daily greetings
Expressing likes, dislikes and preferences
Talking about food, ordering in a restaurant
Describing daily routine
Making appointments and invitations
Finding your way
Sightseeing in Japan
Buying presents
Writing invitations
Japanese basic Assessment framework
Continuous assessment (participation, coursework)
15%
Progress test at the end of Michaelmas term
15%
A two-hour examination at the beginning of Trinity term
35%
A project to be presented by the end of week 5 during Trinity term
35%
Final marks & recommendation:
50 – 59 Pass
60 – 69 Good Pass
70 – 79 Pass with merit
80 + Distinction
Learning outcomes:
*We will complete the first 13 chapters of the textbook.
*The students will understand a range of familiar everyday expressions and vocabulary. They
will be able to ask / answer questions about personal details. The students will also read simple
texts and write short essays. They will find themselves quite confident in spoken Japanese.
By the time they complete the course, the students will be at a level similar to
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), Level 5.
Elementary
Time: Wednesday 18:00-20:00
Tutor: Keiko Harada
Coursebook : *Minna no Nihongo I (Shokyuu beginner) 2nd ver.
*Minna no Nihongo Shokyu [2nd ver] vol. 1 Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshucho
* (as a reference) Minna no Nihongo Shokyu (2nd ver) vol.1 Translation & Grammatical
Notes English ver.
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 three 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:
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
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)
15%
Progress test at the end of Michaelmas term
15%
Two-hour examination at the beginning of Trinity term
35%
Project to be presented by the end of week 5 during Trinity term
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 Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), Level 4.
Threshold
Time: Friday 17:00-19:00
Tutor: Nahoko Mulvey
Coursebook: *Minna no Nihongo 2nd ver. vol.2
*Minna No Nihongo Shokyu (2) Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshu-Cho
*(as a reference) Minna no Nihongo II English Translation & Grammatical Notes 2nd
ver.
Prerequisites:
The course is aimed at students who completed OPAL Elementary 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 three hours’ work per week. Regular
attendance is essential. A high level of commitment and dedication will be appreciated.
Course material:
The course is taught in Japanese and occasionally in English, using the textbook Minna no
Nihongo vol.2 :ISBN 4-88319-103-6,
Publisher: 3A Corporation, + Minna No Nihongo
Shokyu (2)/ Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshu-Cho ISBN: 9784883192038
(as a reference) Minna no Nihongo English Translation & Grammatical Notes Vol 2: ISBN
9784883196647 as well as other printed exercises and audio/video material.
Course description:
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 the last few chapters of
Minna no Nihongo Vol 1、
Describing how things are, using intransitive and transitive verbs (e.g. The door is open. The
windows are broken.)
Volitional forms to express what your plans are
Potential forms
Predictions
Imperative and prohibitive forms
Quoting what other people have said
Conditional form
Expression of purposes
Passive form
Communicative content:
Informal speech
Describing what you can do
Being able to describe conditions of objects in a room
Expressing one’s future plans
Predicting one’s future
Making suggestions to other people
Explaining signs and posters
Instructing other people to do something
Expressing what you like doing, what you are good at doing.
Expressing annoyance through the use of a passive form
Japanese basic Assessment framework
Continuous assessment (participation, coursework)
15%
Progress test at the end of Michaelmas term
15%
Two-hour examination at the beginning of Trinity term
35%
Project to be presented by the end of week 5 in Trinity term
35%
Final marks & recommendation:
50 – 59 Pass
60 – 69 Good Pass
70 – 79 Pass with merit
80 + Distinction
Learning outcomes:
We will complete chapters 26 to 38 in the textbook. The students will learn a wider range of
everyday expressions and vocabulary and will be able to use this fluently. The students will also
be able to read and write more complex sentences. They will find themselves more confident
using various forms. By the time they complete the course, the students will be at a level similar
to Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), Level 4+.
Vantage
Time: Mondays 18:00-20:00
Tutor：Keiko Harada
Coursebook: *Minna no Nihongo 1stver. vol.2
*Minna No Nihongo Shokyu (2)/ Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshu-Cho
*(as a reference) Minna no Nihongo II English Translation & Grammatical Notes 1st
ver.
Prerequisites:
The course is aimed at students who completed OPAL Threshold 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 three hours’ work per week. Regular
attendance is essential. A high level of commitment and dedication will be appreciated.
Course material:
The course is taught in Japanese and occasionally in English, using the textbook Minna no
Nihongo vol.2 :ISBN 4-88319-103-6,
Publisher: 3A Corporation, + Minna No Nihongo
Shokyu (2)/ Kaite Oboeru Bunkei Renshu-Cho ISBN: 9784883192038
(as a reference) Minna no Nihongo English Translation & Grammatical Notes Vol 2: ISBN
9784883196647 as well as other printed exercises and audio/video material.
Course description:
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 a few chapters of Minna no Nihongo Vol 2 (Chapters 35~37)
Emphatic expressions
Usage of various adjectives
Polite expressions to describe things other people do for you or things you do for other people
Expressions to describe how other people / things look like
Hearsay
Causative forms
Communicative content:
Informal speaking
Conveying your impression of things you see to others
Talking about other people, how they look, what you think of them
Talking about what you should do in case of emergency and trouble
Conveying a message to others
Talking about what you were made to do in your childhood
Japanese basic Assessment framework
Continuous assessment (participation, coursework)
15%
Progress test at the end of Michaelmas term
15%
Two-hour examination at the beginning of Trinity term
35%
Project to be presented by the end of week 5 during Trinity term
35%
Final marks & recommendation:
50 – 59 Pass
60 – 69 Good Pass
70 – 79 Pass with merit
80 + Distinction
Learning outcomes:
We will complete chapters 38 to 48 in the textbook. The students will learn a wider range of
everyday expressions and vocabulary and will be able to use it 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 Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), Level 3.
Bridge
Time: Friday 17:00-19:00
Tutor: Keiko Harada
Course book: * Minna No Nihongo Chukyu (1), W/CD/ Honsatsu
* Minna No Nihongo Chukyu (1) English Translation & Grammatical Note
Prerequisites:
This is an intermediate course which links Vantage level with Higher level (Higher level has
not been established at OPAL yet). The Bridge course aims at students who completed OPAL
Vantage Japanese course last year as well as students who have finished studying all the
elementary grammar and are able to conduct a conversation with a reasonable fluency. Most
importantly, this course aims to build up conversational skills, while revising and consolidating
what students learnt at elementary level. The textbook, Minna No Nihongo Chukyu, is organized
according to various functions (for example the first chapter is ‘how to ask politely what you
normally hesitate to ask’, the second chapter is ‘how to ask for an explanation of what you don’t
understand’, etc.), so that the students will gain confidence in communicating and in expressing
themselves on a wider range of actual occasions they will encounter in Japan, while increasing
the amount of useful vocabulary. The course also emphasises development of other skills, such
as listening, writing and reading. Participants are expected to do a substantial amount of
homework and preparation for each lesson, which will amount to at least an additional three
hours’ work per week. Regular attendance is essential to maintain classroom rapport. A high
level of commitment and dedication will be appreciated. Kanji knowledge is not essential, but a
beginner’s knowledge of kanji (around 100 – 150 characters) will be advisable.
Course material:
The course is taught in Japanese using the textbook
Minna No Nihongo Chukyu (1), W/CD/ Honsatsu (ISBN: 9784883194681
Publisher: 3A Network)
Minna No Nihongo Chukyu (1)/ English Translation & Grammatical Note (ISBN: 9784883194926
Publisher: 3A Network)
We also use other printed exercises and audio/video material.
Course description:
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:
The textbook contains 12 lessons and consists of the following sections:
(1) Grammar and practice drills: The grammar points introduced in each lesson are
demonstrated in the form of sentence patterns. Grammar terminology is avoided.
(2) Speak and listen: Communication scenes are set out and model dialogues and conversation
exercises are provided.
(3) Read and Write: There are twelve different reading texts selected to pique readers’ interest
and enable them to enjoy reading.
(4) Challenge: Discussion based on what you have written on a topic.
Communicative content:

How to ask for things politely

Ask for an explanation of unknown words

How to apologise politely, after explaining your situation

How to leave a message or to receive it

How to ask for directions or to teach a direction

How to negotiate to get permission

How to accept an invitation or to refuse it politely

How to explain situations

How to choose what you want to buy, comparing the differences of the items.

How to respond calmly to what other people misunderstood

How to make suggestions or to accept them

How to apologise when somebody complains
Japanese basic Assessment framework
Continuous assessment (participation, coursework)
15%
Progress test at the end of Michaelmas term
15%
Two-hour examination at the beginning of Trinity term
35%
Project to be presented by the end of week 5 during Trinity term
35%
Final marks & recommendation:
50 – 59 Pass
60 – 69 Good Pass
70 – 79 Pass with merit
80 + Distinction
Learning outcomes:
We will complete all 12 chapters of the textbook. The students will learn a wider range of
expressions and vocabulary needed for various occasions, and they will be able to use them
fluently with confidence. The students will also be able to read and write more complex
sentences on different topics. They will find themselves more confident in using various forms.
By the time they complete the course, the students will find themselves confident enough to
study for higher level, which is equivalent to JLPT Level 2. (*Level 2 needs knowledge of 1000
kanji).