Beginning Japanese I

IAP 2008

I. Instructors

NAGAYA, Yoshimi Rm.14N-321, yoshimi@mit.edu

HATANO-COHEN, Miyuki Rm. 14N-229D miyuki@mit.edu

II. Meeting hours and classrooms

9:00 – 10:00 4-249

10:00 – 11:00 LLARC

11:00 – 12:00 4-249

12:45 – 1:30 LLARC (Optional)

1:30 – 2:30 4-249

III. Texts

1) Japanese: the Spoken Language, Part 1, by Eleanor H. Jorden with Mari Noda, Yale University Press, l987 (available at Kendall Coop)

2) Kana-Kanji Version of Japanese: the Spoken Language (Available at MIT Copy Tech, Rm.11-004)

IV. Online supplementary materials and resources

Supplementary course materials and other resources are available on the Web (http://web.mit.edu/21f.501/www/). You are expected to use these resources on your own as much as possible.

* Course Syllabus and Semester Schedule

* Daily Schedule

* Hiragana and Katakana Study materials and Kanji Study materials (multimedia materials for character/meaning recognition and exercises)

* Reading materials

* MIT-Only Quiz Review Materials (grammar notes and exercises, example answers for JSL Utilization Exercises, practice tests, etc.)

* Dictionaries

V. JSL Audio Files, Language Learning and Resource Center

Using Audio Materials is indispensable! Learn accurate pronunciation and intonation when you memorize CCs using audio files. Digital Language Lab (the Ohio State University) has public JSL audio files. (http://languagelab.it.ohio-state.edu), and you may download the files. You can also use DL Recorder when you practice, which enable you to record your own voice and compare with the model. To obtain a DLRecorder, go to http://schiller.dartmouth.edu/dl-recorder/download.php. Instruction to download DL Recorder is available at http://web.mit.edu/21f.501/www/2005/instruction-dlrecorder.htm

Language Learning and Resource Center (''LLARC'' Bldg. 16-644) provides a place where you can practice with audio files. The computers housed in the LLARC have additional materials for practicing classifiers, hiragana, katakana, and vocabulary. You may also watch Japanese movies with English subtitles in LLARC. Private studios with a large screen can be reserved for movies.

VI. Course objectives and procedures

This course covers JSL Lessons 1 through 6, providing opportunities to acquire basic skills for conversation, reading and writing. The program emphasizes ACTIVE command of Japanese, not passive knowledge. Your goal is not simply to study the grammar and vocabulary, but to acquire the ability to use Japanese accurately and appropriately with increasing spontaneity. You will learn Hiragana and Katakana (the Japanese phonetic symbols), then approximately 50 Kanji (Sino-Japanese characters) in this course.

FACT vs. ACT class sessions:

In this course there are two types of class sessions, FACT and ACT. In FACT classes, information necessary for using the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and socio-cultural information, will be provided primarily in English. You must read the textbook carefully, studying the Structural Patterns ('SPs'), the Miscellaneous Notes ('MN'), the Breakdowns (new vocabulary items), and the Core Conversations ('CCs'), as your preparation for FACT classes. Make sure that you know the metalinguistic terms used in the text as we refer to them in class.

ACT classes, which are conducted entirely in Japanese, will concentrate on speaking activities that require you to use the language. One of the things expected in ACT classes is that you ACT OUT the assigned Core Conversations ('CCs') accurately and fluently. Note that your grade for this course is largely dependent on your DAILY PERFORMANCE. Good daily performance scores can be achieved when you have learned and practiced the assigned CCs and Drills before coming to class, and demonstrate that you can use them in other contexts given in the class session. You should not rely only on reading the texts when you prepare for class; you need to use the accompanying tapes and learn the sounds, paying attention to the pronunciation and the intonation. Come to class well-prepared, as the pace and the level of a particular session are influenced by your readiness.

VII. Evaluation

A. Daily Grade

One of the things you are expected to do in ACT classes is that you ACT OUT the assigned Core Conversations ('CCs'). Based on your performance of CCs and other activities involving the assigned CCs and Drills, you will be given a daily performance score:

10 = excellent performance; native-like fluency

9 = very good/strong performance with some minor mistakes

8 = fair performance with some mistake or weakness

7 = prepared, but weak in major areas

6 = present, but evidently unprepared

0 = absent

B. Exams and Quizzes

There are two oral interview exams and one hourly exam. A Vocabulary Quiz is given in each FACT class, and a 20-to-25-minute Lesson Quiz is given at the end of each lesson except for Lesson 6. There are also a few Kana and Kanji quizzes.

C. Evaluation Method

Daily grade (CC performance and drills) 30% *

Lesson Quiz (x2) 30% *

Interview (x2) 20%

Kana and Vocabulary quizzes 15% **

Class Participation 5%

* The three lowest daily grades will be dropped at the end of the term.

** The three lowest quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the term.

No make-up quizzes or exams are given in this course.

D. Attendance Policy

i. Because of the cumulative nature of language learning, it is essential that you attend all sessions and keep up with the course work on a daily basis. Please follow the online Weekly Schedule and come to class well-prepared.

ii. You must regularly attend the class section in which you are registered in order to receive daily grade, unless you have made official arrangements with the instructors at the beginning of the semester. If you have to attend a section other than your regular section on a particular day, you must notify the instructors at least one day in advance.

iii. Only in the case of an emergency will you be allowed to participate in class activities and quizzes in a different section without the aforementioned one-day-in-advance permission from the instructors. Oversleeping is NOT regarded as an emergency.

Notes:

1. You should try your best never to fall behind. Any student who feels he/she is behind is encouraged to see an instructor and discuss the situation with her before it is too late.

2. Students are expected to come to class in time. Coming in late not only results in missed performances and quizzes that may not be made up for, but also distracts other students. Also, make sure that you check the Daily Schedule on the Web regularly: classroom changes are indicated, and we update the information as necessary.

3. The Humanities Concentration for Japanese is Japanese I-IV or II-IV. Please see Nagatomi (Rm.14N-236, ayumi@mit.edu) to obtain the necessary signature.

4. If you are interested in HASS Japanese minor, please consult Professor Ian Condry (condry@mit.edu). Minor Application form is avaiable at 14N-305, 14N-310, 14N-408 or 7-104.