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This course introduces basic speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, including the three forms of written Japanese: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Students will have the opportunity to interact with Japanese students on campus through the coursework. The course enhances speaking and listening skills and provides awareness of the Japanese style of communication. Analyzing Japanese sentence structures and grammar leads students to be aware of the different value systems of a high context culture.

The main focus of this course is to build communication skills, developing the basic language skills acquired in JAPN 111F. Students may have an opportunity to exchange emails with a Japanese speaker in addition to direct or online conversation. Through this interaction, skills to negotiate meaning are gained. Use of authentic TV materials introduces pragmatic features that are unique to Japanese. Through systematic explicit instruction of the skills using pragmatic elements, skills for a Japanese style of communication are enhanced. Prerequisites: JAPN 111F.

The primary objective of this course is to increase fluency in spoken Japanese and to make the students aware of cultural difference. The different modules are designed to enrich the students' knowledge of the language and the culture. An oral presentation in a small group gives students the opportunity to practice communication skills unique to the Japanese language, which is a high context culture. Advanced speaking and listening skills are developed through interviews with exchange students from Japan. Advanced written communication skills are gained through dynamic information exchange activities to learn about Japanese students on campus. Prerequisite: JAPN 212 with a grade of C or above or a satisfactory score on the placement test.