Section 1 MTR 10:00-11:00 Rm. 66-154, F 10:00-11:00 Rm. 16-628
Section 2 MTR 12:00-1:00 Rm. 66-168, F 12:00-1:00 Rm. 16-628
Section 3 MTR 1:00-2:00 Rm. 66-168, F 1:00-2:00 Rm. 16-628
* Please make sure that you check Weekly Schedule on the Web regularly. There you'll find updated information such as classroom changes.
Supplementary course materials and other resources are available on the Web and on Athena. (http://web.mit.edu/21f.504/www/). You are expected to use these resources on your own as much as possible.
Language Learning and Resource Center
(''LLARC'') makes available multimedia materials for the course. They have
the accompanying audio and video tapes and CD-ROMs for Japanese: the Spoken
Language. We encourage you use the CD-ROMs and watch the video in the lab
as well. The computers housed in the LLARC have additional materials for
practicing classifiers, hiragana, katakana, and vocabulary.
*You may bring in a blank CD and copy the CD-ROM (audio files & CC video
clips) for JSL part 2 in studio 3 at LLaRC (Mac or PC compatible).
*You may also access and download MP3 audio files from LLaRC server (password
required). To learn how to download audio files, go to: http://web.mit.edu/21f.504/www/instruction-audiofiles.html
(We will email the username and password to the students registered in 21f.504,
or ask the instructor.)
*You can also listen to the audio, record your own voice and compare with
the model by downloading a DLRecorder.
This course covers Lessons 18A-22B of JSL. It will further develop the four basic skills, speaking, listening, reading and writing, that students have acquired through Japanese I, II and III courses at MIT, with emphasis on oral communication skills in various practical situations.
The FACT classes cover grammar explanation, socio-cultural information and other important issues for using the language. The discussions will be primarily in English. Students must read the Structural Patterns and go over the basic grammar exercises on Athena prior to each Fact class.
The ACT classes focus on the actual use of the language. The aim is to integrate students' knowledge so far learned with newly learned patterns, and to communicate within the frame given in the class. Students will be asked to perform the assigned Core Conversations (CCs) and expected to be familiar with the drills assigned for each class. The pace of the class and coverage of the material are influenced by the readiness of each student. So, come to class well-prepared! The ACT classes will be conducted entirely in Japanese. This course emphasizes active command of Japanese, not passive knowledge of grammar. Your goal is not simply to acquire the grammar and vocabulary, but the ability to use Japanese with appropriateness and increasing spontaneity.
IMPORTANT: Students should practice Core Conversations and Drills by listening to the tapes/audios. Reading the transcriptions in the textbook only is not sufficient.
Daily Grade (CC performance and drills) 25% *
Lesson Quizzes (x3) 20% **
Oral Interviews (x2) 15%
Hour Exam 15%
Vocabulary and Kanji Quizzes 10% ***
Homework 10%
Class Participation 5%
* The 4 lowest daily grades will be dropped during the term.
** The lowest LQ score will be dropped at the end of the term.
*** The 4 lowest VQ and KQ scores will be dropped at the end of the term.
Daily Grade
In ACT classes, you are asked to perform core conversations (CCs) and drills of each lesson. The instructors will check your performance in terms of your pronunciation, accuracy, fluency and naturalness. Your overall performance including CCs will be evaluated according to the following scale:
0 = absent / attend a different section without giving prior notice
6 = present, but evidently unprepared
7 = evidently prepared, but weak in major areas
8 = clearly prepared; fair performance
9 = strong performance but some minor errors and/or weaknesses
10 = excellent performance (near native)
The above grading scale also applies to your performance on assigned readings.
Exams and Quizzes
There are two oral interview exams, three Lesson Quizzes (for L17&18,
L19 and L20) and one-hour long exam (which covers upto Lesson22A). Lesson
Quiz (25 to 30 minute long) is given at the end of each lesson. A Vocabulary
Quiz is given at the beginning of each FACT class, and a Kanji Quiz is given
after each lesson.
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. Attend the class section you are registered in, 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.
[Japanese IV ]