Practice will focus on building conversational skills within the topics that are relevant to teenagers’ daily lives such as school, family, hobbies, and shopping. The instructor will also guide learners in cultural exploration with activities designed help deepen the understanding of Japanese culture and compare and contrast it to their own.

Can-Do Statements: Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

·         Understand basic Japanese pronunciation rule

·         Introduce themselves

·         Recognize the Japanese sound system

·         Greet others at different times of the day

·         Start and end class using Japanese

·         Count to 100 and give phone numbers

·         Express agreement and disagreement

·         Talk about the weather

·         Recognize and respond to classroom expressions in the affirmative and negative

·         Identify and indicate the location of classroom objects belonging to you or your classmates

Use of the Language: This course has been designed in such a way that most of the class time will be devoted to communication and will be taught in the target language (i.e., the language that you are studying).  After being introduced to the language during the first class session, you are encouraged to use the target language as much as possible.  You are not expected to understand everything, and you can expect to be pushed beyond your comfort zone. However, your instructor is there to make sure you can succeed in meeting the goals of the activities and of the class in general.  Our goal is for you to be able to communicate in the target language, and we cannot learn to speak a language without speaking it.  Please remember that we learn best by making mistakes, and we encourage you to try to do your best.  Don’t forget that your instructor is there to support you in class and is also available via the Matrix messaging system for assistance.

Expectations/Time Commitment: The learners in this class are required to prepare, practice, and review for the minimum of 2 hours each week outside of the class to develop their Japanese proficiency. Each week, assignments are given by the instructor through Matrix, the TLC’s learning management system.

Required Materials: Note: the workbook may be purchased from the vendor of your choice; one possible source is linked below). Required Materials should be purchased before the 1st day of classes.

Each student must obtain a copy of the paperback workbook (4th) edition, so you can write directly in the workbook.  The workbook is required.

1. Adventures in Japanese, Level 1, Workbook (Paperback), 4th Edition (ISBN: 9781622910571)

Strongly recommended textbook and (free) apps:

1. Adventures in Japanese Volume 1, Textbook, hardcover (preferred), 4th Edition (ISBN: 9781622910564)

For IN-PERSON youth classes, we provide some copies of the textbook at TLC to borrow and use during class time for every student at no cost.  Students may not take home the textbooks. However, if possible, we recommend each student obtain a hard copy if possible, so that the students can review and reference when they study at home. Both new and used copies of Adventures in Japanese Volume 1, 4th edition is available to purchase in many online bookstores.

For ONLINE youth classes, the instructor will share screenshots of the textbook during class time and place important pages online in a weekly module on the learning management system. However, if possible, we recommend each student obtain a hard copy of the textbook if possible, so that the students can review and reference when they study at home. Both new and used copies of Adventures in Japanese Volume 1, 4th edition is available to purchase in many online bookstores.

2. Kanji Memory Hint 1 [English]

Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.jfkc.KanjiMemoryHintApp.En&hl=en_US

iPhone https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kanji-memory-hint-1-english/id1168530345

3. Kana Bimoji Japanese Master

Android

iPhone

4. Matrix LMS

Android https://play.google.com/store/search?q=matrix%20LMS&c=apps&hl=en_US

iPhone https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-lms/id955407963

This course will cover Adventures in Japanese Volume 1 Chapter 1 part 1 –Chapter 2 part 3 and Adventures in Japanese, Level 1, Workbook Chapter 1-2