Welcome to the KPU Japanese homepage
Why should I learn Japanese?
- Diverse interest in Japan, including its business, traditional culture, pop-culture, entertainment, and food, have increased rapidly in recent decades.
- Learning Japanese and learning how people interact in Japan enable one to appreciate different aspects of communication.
- Is the Japanese language a polite one? Is Japan a “exclusionary” country? Is Japan truly homogeneous? Take a step forward to expand your perspectives and deepen your understanding of the world. This could lead you to global career opportunities and life-long learning.
Why should I take Japanese at KPU?
- All the courses are taught by dedicated and well-qualified faculty members in lively and interactive classrooms.
- Weekly 40 minute conversation lab sessions for the first and the second year courses offer extra opportunities to practice speaking.
- Each course delivers useful resources and activities
- All classes can be credited towards various KPU degrees and diplomas and are transferable to UBC, SFU, UVIC, and other post-secondary institutions in BC.
- The department of Language and Cultures offers Japanese related culture courses taught in English: Introduction to Contemporary Japanese Culture, Japanese Culture and Business, and Japanese Culture Through Film
- There are opportunities to participate in the exchange program or the summer immersion program in Kanazawa, Japan
- KSA Japan Club helps students socialize with others who are interested in Japanese culture.
- Students can obtain hands-on information of the JET programme (employment opportunities in Japan) by connecting with current JET participants and alumni.
What textbooks are used?
JAPN 1100, 1101, 2200, and 2201: Eri Banno et al., 1999. Genki An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, The Japan Times
JAPN 3300/JAPN 3301: Mayumi Oka et al., 2009. TOBIRA: Gateway to Advanced Japanese, Kuroshio Publishers
What is the course format and content?
In accordance with the learning outcomes, students will engage in various language activities in realistic contexts that are representative of cultural norms in Japan. All four language skill areas - listening, speaking, reading and writing – will be developed.
Instructions in case you need to contact the instructor for an assessment:
JAPN 1100, Basic Japanese I is a course for beginners with no or little knowledge of Japanese. Students with competence beyond the learning outcomes of JAPN 1100 are not permitted to register for this course and may be required to withdraw. For placement tests, please email one of our instructors with the information below.
1. Your full name, student number, and phone number
2. Your birthplace and language(s) you speak and/or learned
3. List of Japanese course(s) you took and the year of completion
4. A brief description of your use of Japanese in the past two years with regard to listening, speaking, listening and writing opportunities.
(Note: Official documents may be requested for verification purposes at the discretion of the Department.