Level 2 classes: this course is suitable for people who have completed Level 1 or are comfortable with Level 1 objectives, such as being able to greet people, ask/answer basic questions, and understand the numbers needed in a variety of situations. At the end of this level, you will be able to formulate simple sentences using basic verbs to talk about the past, present and future, as well as describe things and events. You will also be further encouraged to learn kana.
This level is based on chapters 6 to 11 of Japanese for Busy People Book I (Revised 4th Edition kana or romanised version), a textbook students are encouraged to purchase, especially if they wish to do further practice in their own time (students are told each week which exercises you should be able to manage). Note that all our Japanese courses focus mainly on oral skills and practical situations.
Term duration:
Group A: 10 x weekly classes, Wednesday evenings, 6:15pm to 8:15pm
Group B: 10x weekly classes, Wednesday evenings, 6:15pm to 8:15pm (no class on Wednesday 9 December)
Communicative themes may include:• saying where you go/are going/went, e.g. わたしは としょかんに いきます。watashi wa toshokan ni ikimasu • saying when you do/did an activity, e.g. スミスさんは きのう えいがを みました 。 sumisu-san wa kinō eiga o mimashita • talking about transport, e.g. まりさんは でんしゃで かいしゃに いきます 。mari-san wa densha de kaisha ni ikimasu • saying how often you do common activities, e.g. なかむらさんは ときどき レストランで ば んごはんを たべます。Nakamura-san wa tokidoki resutoran de bangohan o tabemasu • describing people/places/things, e.g. ふじさんは とても きれいでした。Fujisan wa totemo kirei deshita • answering questions with ‘nothing/nowhere/no one’, e.g. やまもとさんは デパートで なにも かいませんでした。Yamamoto-san wa depāto de nani mo kaimasendeshita
Key grammatical points covered may include: • learning more kana • frequently used verbs (e.g. eat, read, do) in present, past and future forms. e.g. たなかさんは と きどき すしを たべます。Tanaka-san wa tokidoki sushi o tabemasu / わたしは きのう テ ニスを しました。watashi wa kinō tenisu o shimashita • verbs which involve direction (meet, send, ask, tell/teach) e.g. スミスさんは おととい ともだ ちに あいました。Sumisu-san wa ototoi tomodachi ni aimashita. • relative and specific time expressions e.g. わたしは どようびに こうえんに いきま す。watashi wa do-yōbi ni kōen ni ikimasu • negative sentences (not very, not at all) e.g. やまださんは あまり テレビを みませ ん。Yamada-san wa amari terebi o mimasen • describing actions with time expressions and frequency words. e.g. ささきさんは まいばん ジ ョギングを します。Sasaki-san wa maiban jogingu o shimasu • using adjectives to describe objects and impressions (in non-past and past forms). e.g. グレイ さんの うちは おおきいです。Grey-san no uchi wa ōkii desu. / さくらは きれいな は なです。sakura wa kirei na hana desu. / あの みせの ラーメンは とても おいしかったで す。ano mise no rāmen wa totemo oishikatta desu
Note that we adapt the pace of the class to the needs and interests of the group, so the listed themes and grammar may be subject to change and are not meant to be exhaustive. Homework may be set between classes, though we do understand that the constraints of everyday life may make it difficult to complete at times. You are under no obligation to complete the homework, but revision of the weekly lessons is strongly encouraged to allow you to make good progress and benefit fully from the course. Each week you will practise primarily speaking and listening. As for reading, lessons will mainly be presented in rōmaji, but hiragana will be introduced gradually. You will be encouraged to take an active part in all activities which can include games, pair and group work as well as individual tasks. We aim to establish a friendly, inclusive atmosphere in the classroom so that all students can express themselves freely and increase in confidence.
