I. Instructors

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

Ayumi NAGATOMI    Rm.14N-236, ayumi@mit.edu

Ikue SHINGU       Rm.14N-232, ikue@mit.edu

       
    (Office Hours)    
            Nagaya        Mon. 3-5:00
            Nagatomi     Tues. & Thurs. 3:30-5:00
            Shingu         Tues. & Thurs. 2:30-4:00

 

II. Meeting Hours and Classrooms

 

      Section 1   MTRF  9:00-10:00 Rm. 4-249     

      Section 2   MTRF 10:00-11:00 Rm. 4-249     

      Section 3   MTRF 12:00- 1:00 Rm. 4-249     

      Section 4   MTRF  1:00- 2:00 Rm. 4-249     

 

* Please make sure that you check Weekly Schedule on the Web regularly. There you'll find updated information such as classroom changes.

 

III. Texts

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

* Kana-Kanji Version of Japanese: the Spoken Language 7-12 (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 and on Athena (http://web.mit.edu/21f.502/www/). You are expected to use these resources on your own as much as possible.

* Course Syllabus and Semester Schedule

* Weekly Schedule (updated frequently)

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

* Reading materials (with sound files)

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

 

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''  http://llarc.mit.edu/) 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 Lessons 6-12A of the JSL, enhancing the basic skills for conversation, reading and writing. In class, we will emphasize the development of your communicative skills (i.e., your actual use of Japanese in contexts). By the end of this semester, you are expected to carry on a daily conversation with Japanese people.

 

This course will stress active command of Japanese, not passive knowledge. There are two types of classes, FACT and ACT. FACT classes will provide grammar information, cultural information, etc. In ACT classes, all the activities will be conducted only in Japanese, and you'll be asked to perform assigned CCs. Keep in mind that you must be able to PERFORM or ACT OUT assigned CCs! Come to classes well prepared.

 

VII. Evaluation

       Daily Grade                            25% *

       One Hour Long Exam                    10%

       Oral Interview Exams (2)               15%

       Lesson Quizzes (4)                    25% **

       Vocabulary (11) and Kanji Quizzes (4) 10% ***

       Homework (5)                           10%

       Class Participation                    5%

 

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

** The lowest LQ score will be dropped at the end of the term.

*** The four lowest Vocabulary and Kanji quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the term.

 

There will be NO MAKE-UPs for missed performances, quizzes and/or exams.

 

ALL the homework assignments (due in the beginning of the class) need to be completed and submitted in order to receive a course grade.

 

Daily Grade

Your performance of CCs in ACT classes will be graded on the daily basis. We will also grade your class participation during ACT classes. Instructors will grade your CC performance/class participation (including performance on assigned reading materials!), using the following scale: 

     10: excellent (near native)

 9: very good / strong performance; with a very few minor  

     mistakes

      8: fair performance with some mistakes or weakness

      7: prepared, but weak in major areas

      6: present, but evidently unprepared

      0: absent / attended a different section without giving

          prior notice

 

VIII. Attendance Policy

 

1. 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.

 

2. You must regularly attend the class section in which you are registered, 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.

 

3. Only in case of an emergency you may 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.

 

 

Other Information

 

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.

 

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 Weekly Schedule on the Web regularly: classroom changes are indicated, and we update the information as necessary.

 

Concentration: The Humanities Concentration for Japanese is Japanese I-IV or II-IV. Please contact Nagatomi (ayumi@mit.edu) to obtain the necessary signature.

 

Minor: If you are interested in HASS Japanese minor, please consult Professor Ian   Condry (14N-314, condry@mit.edu). Minor Application form is available at 14N-305, 14N-310, 14N-408 or 7-104.

 

Lunch Table at  http://web.mit.edu/mit-japan/news-events/lunch-table.html: For those who are interested in practicing conversation with Japanese people on campus, there is a Japanese language lunch table which meets each week. The atmosphere is fun and informal, and everyone, regardless of language ability, is encouraged to drop by!

Study Abroad Program in Japan: contact ikue@mit.edu

Internship  Program: MIT-Japan at http://web.mit.edu/mit-japan/about/index.html

Language Exchange with native speakers of Japanese: Application form and information are available at http://web.mit.edu/medical/c-lce.html