This course is designed for beginners who have basic Japanese knowledge equivalent to the WEA "Japanese 2" course and can read hiragana. It follows the textbook Marugoto: Elementary 1 A2 - Rikai and covers the first half of the book (Lessons 1-10). The course offers opportunities to learn Japanese through textbook exercises as well as a variety of activities, such as: plenty of revision activities, learning basic, frequently used kanji, hands-on card-matching games, role-playing, activities using electronic resources from the supplementary material Marugoto Plus
Japanese 3
Course Description
This course is designed to give students an introduction to the Japanese language and culture.
It is suitable for those with a little knowledge from other courses such as the WEA Japanese 2 course or equivalent.
The course focuses on conversational practise and introduces students to Kanji using the prescribed textbook.
The course covers lessons one to ten of the prescribed textbook. In addition to the textbook exercises, the course takes an activities-based communicative approach integrating language learning and cultural information. It includes:
- Conversation and role play with the teacher and fellow students
- Reading and writing
- Visual images and aural work
- Grammatical explanations
- Exercises, card games, and language games
Course Structure
The course will cover the following lessons:
Lesson 1 - Family and relatives.
We are a family of four. My parents live in Kyoto. My sister works for an IT company.
Lesson 2 – Hobbies.
My hobby is listening to music. When I was a student, I used to go to concerts often.
Lesson 3 – Seasons.
My favourite season is spring. I'm not good with the cold. In Japan, it starts to get warm around March.
Lesson 4 – Weather.
It was cloudy this afternoon, but now there are many stars in the sky. It will be sunny tomorrow.
Lesson 5 – What’s the town like? Shops, etc.
This park is spacious and beautiful. That amusement park is fun, but it's a little expensive.
Lesson 6 – Things found in the street and what the buildings look like.
Please go straight and turn right. You will see a large white building.
Lesson 7 – Places where people meet and reasons for being late .
Let's meet at the restaurant entrance at 6 o'clock. I am sorry. I took the wrong path and was late.
Lesson 8 – Things to do when you go out.
Have you been to see the night view yet? Not yet. Would you like to go tomorrow after work?
Lesson 9 – Foreign language study.
Spanish words are easy, but reading is a little difficult. Could you please teach me how to read this?
Lesson 10 – Cultural activities.
I am interested in Spain, and I take flamenco lessons once a week. I’d also like to learn Spanish cooking.
Course Learning Outcomes
This introductory course will enable students to communicate in Japanese at a basic level, and improve students’ comprehensive ability to speak, listen to and read Japanese scripts in Hiragana, Katakana and some Kanji.
By the end of the course students should be able to carry out everyday conversations in Japanese and discuss things related to their surroundings. Students who complete the course may wish to continue their learning by enrolling in Japanese 4.
Course Textbook (optional)
Textbook: Marugoto Elementary 1 A2 Rikai
Available for approximately $58 via Kinokuniya online or AU$64 via Amazon online
An eBook edition is also available via Kindle and Google Play Store
Your Tutor is Nobue Kume
Nobue Kume has been teaching at WEA since 2016.
Nobue was born and raised in Tokyo and has been teaching Japanese at primary and high schools in Australia for more than ten years.
For the past eight years Nobue has also been working with adults at night at WEA, and enjoys sharing her knowledge of Japanese language and culture with people in Australia.
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