Learn Japanese

General Information

The approach of the Washington Academy of Languages program is to emphasize the use of authentic Japanese as it is naturally spoken and written. Speaking and listening are practiced at normal speeds in the classroom. As a result, students are able to communicate easily with native speakers. Research in the area of second language acquisition suggests that the most effective process for acquiring a language begins with listening followed by speaking, reading and, finally, writing. At Washington Academy of Languages we follow this process.

Japanese texts are used for learning reading and writing. Hiragana is introduced in level 1. Students are encouraged to read and write in hiragana from the start. Katakana, for foreign loan words, is taught in level II. Finally, kanji is taught as part of this unified system so that students are able to understand the various readings and pronunciation of each character in different contexts.

Japanese is a non-European language and is quite different from English; therefore, the time needed to master the language is longer than that for European languages. At Washington Academy of Languages, stress is placed on the quality rather than the quantity of language skills. Because of the small class size, however, students have ample opportunities to speak and ask questions in the class and are thus able to proceed quickly toward acquisition of the language.

Textbook for levels 1-4: Makino, Hatasa, and Hatasa. Nakama 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.

Textbook for levels 5-8: Makino, Hatasa, and Hatasa. Nakama 2. Boston: Houghton Miflin Company, 2000.

JPN 2501 (Japanese I)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks

By the end of this intensive five-week session, the student will be able to function minimally in Japanese. Students are immersed in Japanese, except for limited explanations about culture and grammar in English. During class, students engage in role plays and practice the language in situations which focus on the students themselves and items around them. Topics include making introductions, expressing simple greetings, asking for personal information, and describing objects, people, and their locations. In reading and writing, hiragana is taught to reinforce phonetic usage.

Chapters: 1-3
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

JPN 2502 (Japanese II)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese I or instructor's permission.

This course begins with a review of all the materials covered in Japanese 1. This would be a good place to begin for the person who has been away from the study of the language for any length of time, but has some grammar and vocabulary. The main focus of this course is to learn conjugations of the verb "to be" (copula) and a few other verbs in the present tense. Complements and adjectives are also studied. Practice situations include discussing daily routines and activities, using various time expressions, and identifying objects and their locations. The use of English is limited. In reading and writing, katakana is taught for words with foreign origins.

Chapters: 3-6
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

JPN 2503 (Japanese III)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese II or instructor's permission.

The focus of Japanese III is to build on the foundation which has been established in the first two levels. In this level, plain present forms of verbs (dictionary forms), which are integral to learning Japanese, are introduced for the first time. Practice situations include discussing likes and dislikes, making comparisons, giving and asking for reasons, making phone calls, etc. Also, numbers, including various counting systems, and request patterns, including shopping-related terms and phrases, such as asking prices and ordering at a restaurant, are practiced. In reading and writing, approximately 30 kanji characters are introduced.

Chapters: 7-9
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

JPN 2504 (Japanese IV)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese III or instructor's permission.

This course presents extensive vocabulary, as well as specific grammatical forms and usage. The vocabulary covers words related to family, health and personal experience. Situations include medical emergencies during which symptoms are described. The grammar that is covered includes describing people and objects using nouns and modifying clauses with verbs; expressing hearsay, capability and desire, as well as giving suggestions and asking for and giving permission. Plain past forms of verbs are also introduced. After this course, students will have enough knowledge of the language to survive in "real life" in Japan easily and comfortably. In reading and writing, approximately 45 kanji characters are introduced.

Chapters: 1-3
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

JPN 3501 (Japanese V)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese IV or instructor's permission.

Japanese V starts with a review of the material covered in the previous four levels (Nakama 1). New grammar includes expressing on-going and repeated actions, giving reasons for doing things, stating intentions and plans, and expressing degrees of politeness. Practice situations involve discussing the weather and climate, making travel plans, asking for favors, offering help and asking how to do things. Approximately 30 kanji characters are introduced in each chapter for reading and writing.

Chapters: Preliminary and 1-3
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

JPN 3502 (Japanese VI)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese V or instructor's permission.

his course continues with the grammar and subject matter introduced in Japanese V. Explaining rules, discussing the future and making preparations are the main topics covered in this level. Grammatical points include expressing unacceptable actions and situations, expressing obligation and social expectation, stating purpose and reasons, and asking indirect questions. 75 to 90 kanji characters are introduced during the session. By the end of Japanese VI, students should be able to move beyond a basic functional level when applying all four skill areas in the language.

Chapters: 3-5
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

Additional courses available, some of which may be taken for university credit. Contact Washington Academy of Languages for information.

Audio cassette tapes are available to enrolled students for a refundable deposit.