J1B: Elementary Japanese B (5 Units)

The goal of this course is to further foster individual interests in the language and socio-cultural aspects of Japan. This course aims to further develop language skills to express identity in a culturally appropriate manner. Specifically, students will learn to express regret, requirements, chronological order of events, conditions, giving and receiving of objects and favors, and to ask and give advice. Students will also learn to read and write short paragraphs, and approximately 150 kanji. Prerequisites: J1A, or consent of instructor.

Can-Do Statements:

• To be able to carry out basic conversation in everyday contexts with ease and infer the meaning when encountering unknown vocabulary and expressions.
• To be able to read and understand simple writings written in hiragana, katakana and some basic kanji and grasp basic ideas of a text even when some words and expressions are unfamiliar.
• To be able to write simple sentences about oneself, daily life, and other familiar and concrete matters, as well as begin to express thoughts and ideas on more abstract topics.
• To be able to communicate in more complex contexts in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) by applying a variety of knowledge and newly acquired skills.
• To broaden students’ perspectives through exposure to authentic, level-appropriate Japanese texts, realia, and cultural practices.
• To begin to develop an understanding of how Japanese culture is embedded in and expressed through language.
• To begin to develop critical thinking on language and culture.
• To develop an attitude respectful of other cultures.
• To acquire the attitude and skills to become a lifetime learner of Japanese.

Open to students with a passing grade in Japanese 1A at UCB. New and transfer students who have taken 3 or 4 years of high school Japanese or a second-semester college Japanese course elsewhere should contact Yuriko Miyamoto Caltabiano before the first meeting of the course.

During J1B, we study Volume II (Lessons 15-26) of Elementary Japanese.