Language Center
Summer 2008 Japanese Courses
Course Descriptions (PDF)
Registration Form (PDF)
JAPANESE 1-A (for beginning students, meets twice a week, covers levels 1 & 2) Instructor: Noguchi
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6/4 (Wed)-8/13 (no class 7/2), 6:10-8:00 pm (37 hours)
Basic vocabulary, elementary conversation and simple sentence structure will be taught in Romaji (Japanese written phonetically in the Roman alphabet). Hiragana and Katakana (both Japanese syllabaries) will be introduced.
Text: JAPANESE FOR BUSY PEOPLE, Vol. I
JAPANESE 1-B (for beginning students, meets twice a week, covers levels 1 & 2) Instructor: Ishioka
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6/5 (Thurs)-8/14 (no class 7/3), 6:10-8:00 pm (37 hours)
(See description for 1-A)
JAPANESE 1-C (for beginning students, meets twice a week, covers levels 1 & 2) Instructor: Aizawa
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6/4 (Wed)-8/13 (no class 7/2), 12:00-1:50 pm (37 hours)
(See description for 1-A)
JAPANESE 1-D (for beginning students, meets twice a week, covers levels 1 & 2) Instructor: Aizawa
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6/5 (Thurs)-8/14 (no class 7/3), 12:00-1:50 pm (37 hours)
(See description for 1-A)
JAPANESE 1-E (for beginning students, meets twice a week, covers levels 1 & 2) Instructor: Ishioka
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6/4 (Wed)-8/13 (no class 7/2), 4:00-5:50 pm (37 hours)
(See description for 1-A)
JAPANESE 2-A (Prerequisite: Japanese 1 or equivalent) Instructor: Akai
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Students must recognize Hiragana.
Text: JAPANESE FOR BUSY PEOPLE, Vol. I from lesson 8.
JAPANESE 2-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 1 or equivalent) Instructor: Miyashita
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 12:00-1:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 2-A)
JAPANESE 3-A (meets twice a week, covers levels 3 & 4) Instructor: Miyashita
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6/4 (Wed)-8/13 (no class 7/2), 6:10-8:00 pm (37 hours)
Must read Hiragana and Katakana comfortably. This course will focus on the introduction and use of the “te” and “nai” forms of the verb, as well as continue with the building of conversation skills and vocabulary.
Text: JAPANESE FOR BUSY PEOPLE, Vol. I from lesson 17.
JAPANESE 3-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 2 or equivalent) Instructor: Aizawa
Mondays, 6/9-8/11, 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 3-A)
JAPANESE 3-C (Prerequisite: Japanese 2 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Tuesdays, 6/10-8/12, 12:00-1:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 3-A)
JAPANESE 3-D (meets twice a week, covers levels 3 & 4) Instructor: Aizawa
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6/5 (Thurs) – 8/14 (no class 7/3), 4:00-5:50 pm (37 hours)
(See description for 3-A and 4-A)
JAPANESE 4-A (Prerequisite: Japanese 3 or equivalent) Instructor: Aizawa
Tuesdays, 6/10-8/12, 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Basic kanji will be introduced. Along with conversation and additional grammatical points, students will learn the “plain form” of the verb and the use of noun-modifying clauses.
Text: LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. II, first half.
JAPANESE 4-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 3 or equivalent) Instructor: Aizawa
Fridays, 6/6-8/15(no class 7/4), 4:00-5:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 4-A)
JAPANESE 5-A (meets twice a week, covers levels 5 & 6) Instructor: Noguchi
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6/5 (Thurs)-8/14 (no class 7/3), 6:10-8:00 pm (37 hours)
Among other things, students will learn comparative and conditional expressions.
Text: LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. II, second half.
JAPANESE 5-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 4 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Thursdays, 6/5-8/14 (no class 7/3), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 5-A)
JAPANESE 5-C (Prerequisite: Japanese 4 or equivalent) Instructor: Aizawa
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 5-A)
JAPANESE 5-D (meets twice a week, covers levels 5 & 6) Instructor: Miyashita
Mondays & Thursdays, 6/5 (Thurs)-8/14 (no class 7/3), 12:00-1:50 pm (37 hours)
(See description for 5-A and 6-A)
JAPANESE 5-E (meets twice a week, covers levels 5 & 6) Instructor: Miyashita
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6/4 (Wed)-8/13 (no class 7/2), 4:00-5:50 pm (37 hours)
(See description for 5-A and 6-A)
JAPANESE 6-A (Prerequisite: Japanese 5 or equivalent) Instructor: Miyashita
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Students will learn how to use various modifying clauses to create complex sentences. Recognition of 100 kanji is expected.
Text: LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. III, first half.
JAPANESE 6-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 5 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Wednesdays, 6/4-8/13 (no class 7/2), 12:00-1:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 6-A)
JAPANESE 7-A (Prerequisite: Japanese 6 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Wednesdays, 6/4-8/13 (no class 7/2), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Students will develop various interactive communication skills, including the use of basic honorific expressions.
Text: LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. III, second half.
JAPANESE 7-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 6 or equivalent) Instructor: Miyashita
Wednesdays, 6/4-8/13 (no class 7/2), 12:00-1:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 7-A)
JAPANESE 7-C (Prerequisite: Japanese 6 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Tuesdays, 6/10-8/12, 4:00-5:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 7-A)
JAPANESE 8-A (Prerequisite: Japanese 7 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Mondays, 6/9-8/11, 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Grammatical points, such as potential, passive, and the use of honorific expressions, will be the focus of this course.
Recognition of 200 kanji is expected.
Text: LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. IV, first half.
JAPANESE 8-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 7 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 4:00-5:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 8-A)
JAPANESE 9-A (Prerequisite: Japanese 8 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Tuesdays, 6/10-8/12, 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Students will continue to learn essential grammatical patterns, including causative expressions, to help achieve effective
communication skills. Recognition of 250 kanji is expected. Enrollment in Kanji I course is recommended.
Text: LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. IV, second half.
JAPANESE 9-B (Prerequisite: Japanese 8 or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Thursdays, 6/5-8/14 (no class 7/3), 4:00-5:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 9-A)
PLEASE NOTE: Classes on this page are designed to be taken repeatedly.
New students - please come to the Japan Society before you register and look at the course material for various courses to decide which course to take.
Continuing students and former students - please ask your teacher for advice as to which course you should take next. You are also encouraged to look at the course material for any course you are considering.
INTERMEDIATE SPEAKING & LISTENING (Prerequisite: Japanese 9 or equivalent) Instructor: Noguchi
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Designed for those who have mastered basic grammar and sentence patterns. Development of speaking and listening skills will be the focal point of classes at the Intermediate Level. Enrollment in the Kanji I course is recommended.
JAPANESE 10-A (Prerequisite: Int. Speaking & Listening or equivalent) Instructor: Aizawa
Wednesdays, 6/4-8/13 (no class 7/2), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Reading materials include short newspaper articles and stories. Listening comprehension is improved by the use of television programs and audio tapes. Speaking is emphasized through discussion, role-playing, and short, informal speeches. Writing is also encouraged. Recognition of 350 kanji is expected. Enrollment in Kanji courses is recommended.
JAPANESE 10-B (Prerequisite: Int. Speaking & Listening or equivalent) Instructor: Hama
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 12:00-1:50 pm (18.5 hours)
(See description for 10-A)
JAPANESE 11-A (Prerequisite: Japanese 10 or equivalent) Instructor: Ishioka
Wednesdays, 6/4-8/13 (no class 7/2), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Television programs, short stories and current events from Japanese newspapers and magazines will be discussed. Students will be asked to express their opinions on wide ranging subjects. Recognition of 500 kanji is expected. Enrollment in Kanji courses is highly recommended.
JAPANESE 12-A (Prerequisite: At least five years background in Japanese) Instructor: Aizawa
Thursdays, 6/5-8/14 (no class 7/3), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Current events from Japanese newspapers and magazines, as well as novels, TV news and movies, will be used to help build up useful expressions and idioms. Discussion and short speeches will be encouraged to promote oral communication. Students should be able to recognize at least 800 kanji. Enrollment in Kanji courses is highly recommended.
KANJI I (Prerequisite: Japanese 8 or higher) Instructor: Hama
Fridays, 6/6-8/15 (no class 7/4), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
This course is for students who want to master the essential kanji taught in Japan’s elementary schools. Students are expected to learn the “300-level” kanji, the focus of study being on the understanding of the basic radical systems.
Text: Basic Kanji Book I.
KANJI II (Prerequisite: Japanese 9 or Kanji I) Instructor: Miyashita
Thursdays, 6/5-8/14 (no class 7/3), 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
This course is for students who have already mastered approximately 300 kanji. Students are expected to learn the “600
level” kanji, which are introduced by the first year of Japanese junior high school.
Text: Basic Kanji Book II.
KANJI III (Prerequisite: Japanese 11 or Kanji II) Instructor: Ishioka
Mondays, 6/9-8/11, 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
Students are expected to master the “1,500-level” kanji necessary to read Japanese newspapers, focusing on the key kanji introduced mainly in the second and third years of Japanese junior high school.
経済・ビジネス: Advanced Reading & Speaking I (Prerequisite: Level 12 or higher) Instructor: Miyashita
Tuesdays, 6/10-8/12, 6:10-8:00 pm (18.5 hours)
This special class is for advanced students who have an interest in Japanese business, economics, and society. This class will also cover the cultural aspects of business. Students will read and discuss the latest articles from the Nihon Keizai
Shimbun (Nikkei), Newsweek and Forbes (Japanese editions). In addition, NHK business news and drama videos will
be used. Students should be familiar with the “1,200-level” kanji.
文化・社会: Advanced Reading & Speaking II (Prerequisite: same as 経済・ビジネス)
Due to limited classroom space we are unable to offer this course this semester. We strongly recommend that anyone who wishes to take the course should register for Level 12-A, our most advanced non-business course.
REGISTRATION
Important note: We strongly recommend that you register early to ensure enrollment in your first choice of class.
1. Registration deadline: 12 pm, Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008. Acceptance will be acknowledged by phone or letter.
2. Tuition: Japan Society members: $210* (18.5 hours of instruction) $380* (37 hours of instruction) Non-members: $240 (18.5 hours of instruction) $430 (37 hours of instruction)
*For tuition discount, please contact our Membership Office (212-715-1270) and become a member at least 10 days before your registration at the Language Center.
3. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable for any reason after 12 pm, Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008.
Refunds are subject to a $20 service charge. No partial registration or auditing is permitted.
Please note that cancellations are accepted by phone or in person only. Cancellations via e-mail are not accepted.
4. The Society reserves the right to cancel any course if sufficient enrollment is not obtained.
In such cases, those students already enrolled will receive full refunds.
5. Textbooks are available at the Japan Society and are offered to students at special prices. (Price includes NY State Sales Tax)
JAPANESE FOR BUSY PEOPLE, Vol. I (Revised 3rd Edition; Romanized) published by Kodansha International $25.00
LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. II published by University of Hawaii $16.00
LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. III published by University of Hawaii $17.00
LEARN JAPANESE New College Text, Vol. IV published by University of Hawaii $18.00
BASIC KANJI BOOK I published by Bonjinsha $30.00
BASIC KANJI BOOK II published by Bonjinsha $32.00
6. New students of the Toyota Language Center: Students with no previous background in Japanese should enroll in a Level 1 course. Students with some background should refer to the course textbooks to determine the most appropriate class for your needs. These textbooks are available for review and purchase at the Toyota Language Center. There is no placement exam.
7. For more information or to register, please call (212) 715-1256 or (212) 715-1273, or fax (212) 715-1279.
Instructors: All of the Society's instructors are native Japanese with extensive experience.
Ms. Yuko Aizawa has taught at the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, Japan and at the Royal Hawaiian Academy in the United States. She has been an instructor at the Toyota Language Center since 1994.
Ms. Reiko Akai has a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, and has worked in the private sector in Japan. She has taught English and Japanese in Japan, and has been a private tutor of Japanese in the United States for five years.
Ms. Keiko Hama has taught Japanese in Germany and the US for over ten years. She received her Master’s Degree in Japanese Sociology and Linguistics at the University of Heidelberg. Since then, she has been an interpreter, translator and Japanese teacher in the private and public sectors.
Ms. Eiko Ishioka has a Master’s Degree in Foreign Language and Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has been teaching Japanese at several institutions in the United States for five years, most recently at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Ms. Mami Miyashita earned a Japanese Teaching License in Japan, a certificate of Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language from Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree from West Chester University. She has been involved with foreign language education for more than nineteen years, most recently at the University of Delaware from 1999 to 2005.
Ms. Hiromi Noguchi has an M.A. in Teaching a Foreign Language, Japanese, from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California, and is pursuing a Doctor’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She has taught Japanese at Columbia and at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.