Japanese Language Program
Placement
Japanese language courses are divided into four levels: Elementary, Intermediate, Higher-Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level is further subdivided into two to four levels. All courses are conducted in small class sizes with the utmost individual attention.
Levels are determined based on the results of a placement test held during the orientation period. Details of the placement test will be provided during the orientation.
Even though we will also consider your Japanese language study experience to some extent, our decision regarding which level you should enter is based mainly on these test results demonstrating your Japanese language ability.
Placement test results will determine core Japanese course level and available Japanese practice/skill courses. Through the placement test, our goal is to find the most appropriate level for you in order to make your Japanese study at AIU as fruitful as possible.
Course Information
Each level may consist of 1) Core Courses, 2) Practice Courses, and/or 3) Skill Courses.
Core Courses
The course number of each core course indicates the proficiency level and is a 6 credit comprehensive course designed to develop the students’ overall Japanese language ability.
Practice Courses
Practice courses are self-directed and bear a 1 credit Pass/Fail grade. They are geared toward students in Upper Elementary Level or higher, and promote autonomous language learning. In addition, these courses allow students to explore ways to improve their Japanese language ability through using materials of their choice and monitoring their progress, as well as solving problems they encounter in their study.
Skill Courses
Skill courses are designed to develop specific language abilities such as reading comprehension, writing, speaking, pronunciation, etc., and are offered for JPL210 level and higher.
Courses by Level
Find more details about each course in our online syllabus
Basic Introductory Level
This three-credit course is for students who wish to develop some ability to communicate in basic Japanese during their time at AIU, but who do not wish to make the significant commitment that the regular six-credit JPL110 course requires. The course aims to enhance the experience of students who are new to Japan. Students will be taught how to communicate using simple but frequently used Japanese expressions and phrases.
The aim is to develop Japanese language proficiency necessary to make simple inquiries and obtain basic information in daily life situations, such as dates and places, and to learn related necessary expressions. (Will obtain CEFR: Pre-A1, A1 level* upon completion)
| Core Course | Cr | Corresponding Courses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Course(s) | Cr | Skill Course(s) | Cr | ||
| JPL100: A Basic Introduction to Communicating in Japanese1 | 3 | None | – | None | – |
Note: Students who wish to continue their study of Japanese after JPL100 must proceed to JPL110.
Elementary and Upper Elementary Level
These courses are designed to acquaint elementary level learners with basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Those who have no prior knowledge of Japanese will start with JPL110. Instruction will focus on the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as increasing general cultural knowledge. Through a variety of classroom activities, students will learn how to express their experiences, mainly arising from their daily lives to describing characteristics of people, the things around them, and begin to use Japanese creatively both orally and through writing. The main textbooks for the elementary level courses are Genki I & II (The Japan Times).
The aim is to be able to communicate in simple ways in daily life, explain and ask for information about familiar, everyday, and personal matters. (Will obtain CEFR: A1, A2, A2+ level* upon completion)
| Core Course | Cr | Corresponding Courses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Course(s) | Cr | Skill Course(s) | Cr | ||
| JPL110: Elementary Japanese1 | 6 | None | JPL213: Speaking | 2 | |
| JPL210: Upper Elementary Japanese I | 6 | JPL219: Upper Elementary Japanese I Practice | 1 | JPL214: Kanji for Beginners | 1 |
| JPL220: Upper Elementary Japanese II | 6 | ||||
Intermediate Level
These courses are designed for students who have completed the elementary level Japanese language courses. JPL310 will consolidate students’ grammatical knowledge learned in the elementary level classes, expand vocabulary and expressions, and develop oral fluency to improve the ability to express ideas in various situations within daily life with further ease. JPL320, 330, and 340 are designed to improve the students’ overall Japanese language skills to better express their ideas about various aspects of the Japanese culture, other cultures, and to further expand knowledge and usage of intermediate level kanji, vocabulary and expressions to prepare for higher intermediate level courses.
The aim is to be able to collect information, exchange information and opinions on familiar themes, and respond to various things you encounter in real situations. (Will obtain CEFR: B1, B1+ level* upon completion)
| Core Course | Cr | Corresponding Courses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Course(s) | Cr | Skill Course(s) | Cr | ||
| JPL310: Intermediate Japanese I | 6 | JPL319,329,339, or 349 Intermediate Japanese I, II, III, or IV Practice | 1 | JPL315: Pronunciation1 | 2 |
| JPL314: Kanji Foundation1 or JPL324: Kanji Consolidation1 | 1 | ||||
| JPL311: Reading Comprehension1 | 2 | ||||
| JPL320: Intermediate Japanese II | 6 | JPL315: Pronunciation1 | 2 | ||
| JPL314: Kanji Foundation1 or JPL324: Kanji Consolidation1 | 1 | ||||
| JPL321: Reading Comprehension1 | 2 | ||||
| JPL330: Intermediate Japanese III5 | 6 | JAS310: Intercultural Perspectives on Japanese Society3 | 2 | ||
| JPL315: Pronunciation1 | 2 | ||||
| JPL314: Kanji Foundation1 or JPL324: Kanji Consolidation1 | 1 | ||||
| JPL331: Reading Comprehension1 | 2 | ||||
| JPL340: Intermediate Japanese IV5 | 6 | JAS310: Intercultural Perspectives on Japanese Society | 3 | ||
| JPL415: Pronunciation1 | 2 | ||||
| JPL314: Kanji Foundation1 or JPL324: Kanji Consolidation1 | 1 | ||||
| JPL341: Reading Comprehension1 | 2 | ||||
| JPL416: English-Japanese Translation1,4,6 | 2 | ||||
Higher Intermediate Level
These courses are designed for students who have completed the intermediate level Japanese courses. Students will learn to grasp important information on various topics from reading materials, particularly with regard to Japanese culture and current issues. Oral and writing activities on various topics using informal and formal language, and improving the ability to discern the appropriateness of a particular style in a given situation will also be focused on. In addition, students will further expand their knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and society.
The aim is to achieve a level of understanding of the main points of abstract and concrete topics and to be able to respond clearly and in detail to a wide range of topics. (WIll obtain CEFR: B2,B2+ level* upon completion)
| Core Course | Cr | Corresponding Courses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Course(s) | Cr | Skill Course(s) | Cr | ||
| JPL410: Higher Intermediate Japanese I1,4,5 | 6 | JPL419: Higher Intermediate Japanese I Practice or JPL429: Higher Intermediate Japanese II Practice | 1 | JAS310: Intercultural Perspectives on Japanese Society | 3 |
| JPL413: Speaking1,4 | 2 | ||||
| JPL412: Writing1,4 | 2 | ||||
| JPL416: English-Japanese Translation1,4,6 | 2 | ||||
| JPL415: Pronunciation1,4 | 2 | ||||
| JPL417: Japanese-Chinese Translation*,1,4 or JPL427: Chinese-Japanese Interpretation*1,4 *Native fluency of Chinese required | 3 | ||||
| JPL420: Higher Intermediate Japanese II1,4,5 | 6 | JPL423: Speaking1,4 | 2 | ||
| JPL422: Writing1,4 | 2 | ||||
| JPL416: English-Japanese Translation1,4,6 | 2 | ||||
| JPL415: Pronunciation1,4 | 2 | ||||
| JPL427: Chinese-Japanese Interpretation*1,4 *Native fluency of Chinese required | 3 | ||||
Advanced Level
These courses are for students who have completed the higher intermediate level Japanese courses. These courses are designed to improve the students’ overall Japanese language abilities and skills to increase comprehension of authentic materials, such as newspapers, magazine articles, academic texts, literature, and so on. In addition, students will learn to accurately evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in Japanese and further develop their knowledge in Japanese society and culture to effectively communicate their opinions and ideas.
The aim is to be able to handle complex and abstract topics in specialized fields and academic settings. (Will obtain CEFR: B2+, C1 level* upon completion)
| Core Course | Cr | Corresponding Courses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Course(s) | Cr | Skill Course(s) | Cr | ||
| JPL460: Advanced Japanese I2,4,5 | 6 | JPL469: Advanced Japanese I Practice2 | 1 | JAS310: Intercultural Perspectives on Japanese Society | 3 |
| JPL416: English-Japanese Translation1,4,6 | 2 | ||||
| JPL415: Pronunciation1,4 | 2 | ||||
| JPL417: Japanese-Chinese Translation*1,4 *Native fluency of Chinese required | 3 | ||||
| JPL470: Advanced Japanese II3,4,5 | 6 | JPL479: Advanced Japanese II Practice3 | 1 | JPL416: English-Japanese Translation1,4,6 | 2 |
| JPL415: Pronunciation1,4 | 2 | ||||
| JPL427: Chinese-Japanese Interpretation*1,4 *Native fluency of Chinese required | 3 | ||||
| JPL463: Speaking1,4 | 2 | ||||
Notes:
- Offered in fall and spring semesters only.
- Offered in fall semester only.
- Offered in spring semester only.
- During the winter program, students in this level may instead enroll in JPL439: Higher Intermediate Japanese III Practice; JPL433: Japanese Language in Films; JPL431 Reading Current Topics.
- Offered in winter program and spring semester only. Students enrolled in this course level may also enroll in JAS 310: Intercultural Perspectives on Japanese Society, a content course conducted in Japanese.
- The enrollment cap of JPL416 is 15 students. If more than 15 students register, priority will be given to students who are NOT concurrently enrolled in JPL417 or 427.
*CEFR: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment