Novice to intermediate-advanced Class

Basic Japanese Courses that develop a foundation for Japanese that can be used in the real world (primary teaching material classes)

Level	Learning goals	Examples
Novice 1 = Level 1	You can tell basic things about yourself.	You can tell basic information about yourself. You can express your thoughts and feelings in simple words. You can explain daily activities and the environment of the organization you belong to. You can briefly explain personal events and the situations of people/things.
Novice 2 = Level 2	You can explain the circumstances around you and the situations of people/things including your own assessments.	You can describe personal events and the situations of people/things somewhat in detail, including the context, causes and effects, the conditions that would make something true, the degree to which something is true, and the reasons for your assessments. You can involve other parties as needed for speech acts such as making requests or suggestions, giving advice, and communicating prohibitions. You can understand different usages of style according to the time, place, and occasion.
Novice-intermediate = Level 3	You can negotiate according to your purpose in various situations in daily life.	You can collect useful information for decisions such as choosing a place to live, a part-time job, or merchandise, as you desire. You can understand the rules and practices of life in Japan, and adapt your verbal behavior accordingly.
Intermediate 1 = Level 4	You can organize and express your thoughts about topics that everyone encounters in daily life and which therefore we need to consider.	You can grasp themes, broad outlines, and key points about familiar topics. You can select the information you need. You can organize and express your thoughts. You can compare others’ thoughts with yours and describe the commonalities and differences.
Intermediate 2 = Level 5	You can explain your perspectives and opinions about social, cultural or somewhat specialized topics based on real reasons.	You can understand the structure of topics and development of speeches. You can explain your own thoughts based on facts/reasons. You can consider the commonalities and differences among various ideas to discover points for discussion.
Intermediate-advanced = Level 6	You can understand the Japanese culture and lifestyle, communicate in the areas of your own activities, and autonomously proceed with learning for purposes such as your goals and business.	You can summarize general and societal matters to apply related ideas efficiently. You can interact, listen, and read to obtain information. You can read documents in various styles to some extent.

In novice classes, we use 3A Corporation’s textbooks Daichi 1 and 2, which put emphasis on practicality compared to conventional textbooks.

For the novice-intermediate level, which was previously categorized as a part of the novice level, we use the 3A Corporation’s textbook Itsuka Dokoka de by Kazuhiko Hagiwara, which is optimized for such a level.

The textbook for the intermediate level is Tema-betsu Chukyu kara Manabu Nihongo (santeiban). This textbook from the Tema-betsu series was developed by Osaka YMCA Gakuin teachers. It is the most reliable best-selling teaching material in Japan, which has been adopted by many Japanese language schools even today.

Classes divided according to skill level to be able to efficiently develop necessary Japanese language skills

Learning overview for listening/speaking

Level	Learning goals	Skills to develop
Listening/speaking 1	You can communicate using set phrases in situations which you frequently encounter on a daily basis.	You can distinguish phonetic sounds and speak with the correct pronunciation. You can distinguish intonation, and distinguish between declarative sentences and questions. You can choose proper phrases according to the situation.
Listening/speaking 2	You can exchange necessary information depending on the context of the situation.	You can put together questions and answers regarding daily matters. You can identify what to ask about what the other party is saying. You can describe or explain matters in daily scenes and situations. You can understand the functions of speech and can use them properly.
Listening/speaking 3	You can communicate in daily situations, and understand/respond when chatting with someone close to you on familiar topics.	You can appropriately convey your own wishes and volition according to the situation. You can talk about purpose, obligation, and possibilities with regard to your actions. You can state your own evaluation or approval/disapproval about familiar topics.
Listening/speaking 4	You can understand and answer about summarized contents about personal events and familiar topics.	You can understand the theme and outline of a story. You can convey a summary of necessary information. You can express facts and opinions separately.
Listening/speaking 5	You can understand and answer about summarized information such as explanations and commentary on general topics.	You can communicate using appropriate expressions according to the situation. You can understand the plot of a story and logically develop topics. You can discuss daily themes.
Listening/speaking 6	You can compare your opinions about social themes with others and speak in a manner that takes them into account. Also, you can summarize the content in a simple manner when listening to organized stories.	You can make your opinions understood. You can compare your opinions with those of others and explain the distinctions. You can assert yourself while considering others’ feelings. You can list the key points of stories and precisely summarize them.

Learning overview for reading/writing

Level	Learning goals	Assignments, content, textbooks, etc.
Reading/writing 1	You are used to writing in Japanese, understand what is written on familiar objects, and can write correct sentences by using sentence styles learned in the first half of the novice course.	Write what is written on the business cards that you have. Write your home and school addresses. Write what you have seen on the signs you have found outside. Write what is written on documents such as menus and fliers. Write titles of posters and notices.
Reading/writing 2	You are used to reading sentences, can write correct sentences, and have increased your vocabulary.	Master the Chinese characters in Hirake Nihongo (gekan). Shokyu de Hajimeru Topikku 25, 3A Corporation Yasashii Sakubun, 3A Corporation
Reading/writing 3	You can read a good amount of documents. You have improved your ability to read information necessary for everyday life. You can write correct sentences.	Sugu ni Tsukaeru ‘Rearia Nama-kyozai’ Korekushon, 3A Corporation Shokyu de Hajimeru Topikku 25, 3A Corporation
Reading/writing 4	You have acquired the ability to accurately convey facts and circumstances and to explain own opinions logically and correctly in words.	Shoronbun eno 12 no Suteppu, 3A Corporation
Reading/writing 5	You have acquired the ability to accurately convey facts and circumstances and to explain own opinions logically and correctly in words. You are used to written language.	Shoronbun eno 12 no Suteppu, 3A Corporation Sutorateji wo Tsukatte Manabu Bunsho no Yomikata, Hitotsubashi University International Student Center
Reading/writing 6	You have improved your skills for active, smooth communication in writing.	Write documents necessary in your daily life ranging from those for daily situations to those for business situations, such as making appointments and inquiries.

Timetable

[Novice to intermediate] (Actually may differ somewhat)
Monday through Friday, morning classes are from 9:00 to 12:50, afternoon classes are from 13:30 to 17:20, and four 50-minute classes are given then.

Time	1 Morning/ 9:00- 9:50 Afternoon/13:30-14:20	2 Morning/ 10:00-10:50 Afternoon/14:30-15:20	3 Morning/ 11:00-11:50 Afternoon/15:30-16:20	4 Morning/ 12:00-12:50 Afternoon/16:30-17:20
Monday	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Listening/speaking
Tuesday	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Reading/writing
Wednesday	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Listening/speaking
Thursday	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Reading/writing
Friday	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Basic Japanese class	Listening/speaking

Practical Courses