Japanese Intermediate (part 3)

Part 3 will teach you the skills needed to express thoughts. You’ll share your personal opinions on topics that you feel passionate about and express disagreement or criticism in a polite and respectful tone.

This is a challenging course which requires some independent learning – but we will ensure that you feel well supported throughout. In your free time, you’ll be asked to watch Japanese films and discuss them in class.

You will continue to work on your writing skills, learning an additional 100 kanji and practise on traditional manuscript paper.

At the end of the module, you’ll have an opportunity to sit a mock test, based on the JPLT N3 test. This will help you to decide whether to consolidate the same level or move up to the next class.

Who is it for?

To keep up in class you should have reached JLPT N4 level – around 220 hours of formal learning and some independent study. You could have recently finished part 2 of our intermediate syllabus, or similar. More can be found in the eligibility section.

Timetable

This course takes place once a week for 10 weeks.

Benefits

• Reach JLPT N3 level on completion of the module
• Small class size helps build a supportive study group
• Explore modern-day culture through books film and music.

By the end of this course, you will be able to

• share your thoughts on familiar topics
• express your feelings, especially about something you particularly care about
• strongly assert your opinion about the outlook for the future
• give a somewhat critical assessment of a familiar person
• precisely explain a troubling situation and express a sentiment felt then
• use another 100 kanji.

Grammatical structures including:

• ～られてしまう
  プレゼントでもらったケーキを弟に食べられてしまった。
  The cake I received as a present was eaten by my younger brother.
• ～ないうちに
  忘わすれないうちに、メモをしておこう。
  Let's write a memo before you forget.
• ～っぽい
  この靴、デザインはいいけれど、生地が安っぽいね。
  These shoes have a nice design, but the material looks cheap.
• ～としたら
  車を購入するとしたらどれが欲しいですか？
  If you were to buy a car, which would you want?
• ～たとたん
  家を出たとたん、雨が降ってきた。
  It started raining after I left my house.
• ～ついでに
  買い物のついでに郵便局に行ってくれる？
  Will you go to the post office for me while you are shopping?
• Nって
  ワンピースって漫画しってる。
  Do you know the manga "One Piece"?

You will be awarded an official City St George’s, University of London certificate on completion of the course if you attend over 70 per cent of the classes. The course is not formally accredited.

Assessment

You won’t need to sit an exam at the end of the course, but you will be required to complete around two hours of homework each week.

Your tutor will give regular feedback and ask you to sit a mock exam based on JLPT N3 level.

Teaching

We can tailor the course to your individual needs. Your tutor will work with you to identify areas where you excel and those which need more development. This will help you make effective use of your independent study time.

The weekly classes allow you to catch up with your tutor and classmates, and to discuss any films or TV clips you have watched over the week. You’ll also get time to practice your pronunciation through role-play and delivering short presentations.

It is the right level if you have either:

• completed part 2 of our intermediate syllabus or equivalent
• studied formally for 220 hours (with additional independent study)
• JLPT N4 level.

Your tutor can assess you prior to enrolment to help determine your level and if this course is right for you.

You should already be able to:

• read a recipe and learn about various food
• pose a question and express your opinion during a presentation on a subject, such as environmental issues
• understand an explanation given by a clerk using polite expressions, and learn to respond
• talk about recent changes with a friend and emphatically give advice.

We offer a variety of courses, so if this isn’t the right level, take a look at the others we teach.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.