Japanese

The Japanese program at the Asia Institute is one of the largest Japanese programs in Australia. The language subjects (taught at a range of levels, from beginner to advanced) are designed to maximise acquisition of the language and to develop their communication skills in various types of texts, interactional contexts and strategic aspects of meaning making. The curriculum also allows students to develop a broad understanding of cultural, social and historical aspects of Japan. Japanese Studies subjects such as Social Problems in Japan help students understand the complexity and diversity of the society, and challenge stereotypes. Teaching staff create a meeting place where students from a variety of cultural backgrounds can explore intercultural language activities to promote intercultural as well as communicative competence.

Japanese language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Japanese 1 through to Japanese 8. Entry and exit points are determined by the student’s background in the language, placement testing, prerequisites, or at the discretion of the Japanese program. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the convenor of the Japanese program.

Students that complete this major will:

• Gain effective oral and written communication skills in Japanese, and an in-depth knowledge of Japanese language, culture and society, relative to their entry level,and develop a capacity to combine knowledge of the Japanese language with one or more disciplines through critical research inquiry.

• Gain knowledge of the social and cultural diversity of Japan and develop the skills to work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

• Gain the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities and work effectively both independently and in groups.

Students study Japanese as a Major (100 points) or Minor (75 points) through a progression of six language subjects. The Major also includes an additional two electives.

The entry points for the Major and Minor are as follows:

• Japanese 1 entry point: Students who have never studied Japanese before or have only rudimentary knowledge of the language usually enter the progression at Japanese 1.
• Japanese 3 entry point: Students who have completed VCE Japanese (Second language), IB or have an equivalent language level usually enter the progression at Japanese 3.
• Japanese 5 entry point: Students who perform at an intermediate level in Japanese, for example those who have completed VCE or IB with excellent results or have an equivalent language level usually enter the progression at Japanese 5.
• Japanese 7 entry point: Students who perform at a advanced level in Japanese, for example those who hold N3 of JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) or have lived or studied in Japan usually enter the progression at Japanese 7.
• Super advanced Japanese: Students with a very advanced level of language study, including for example those who attended several years of Japanese medium school or have spent several years in a Japanese speaking environment would normally begin their study of Japanese with one of the advanced language subjects.

All students enrolling in Japanese at The University of Melbourne for the first time are required to use the online placement tool [link]. This applies to all students, including total beginners and those who have experience with the language, whether through formal study, such as VCE or equivalent, or informally through family or overseas travel. The results of the test are binding and enrolment can only be changed in consultation with the relevant course coordinator. Please refer the following link for further information: http://www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au/help/undergraduate_students/placement

Students completing a major in Japanese will usually undertake 25 points at level one, 37.5 points at level two and 37.5 points at level three. Students completing a minor in Japanese will usually undertake 25 points at level one, 25 points at level two and 25 points at level three.

JAPANESE 1 ENTRY POINT

Japanese 1 entry point - Level 1

Students completing a Japanese major or minor with an Japanese 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 1 and Japanese 2 were formerly called Japanese 1A and 1B respectively

Japanese 1 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese minor are only required to complete Japanese 3 and Japanese 4 (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 3 and Japanese 4 were formerly called Japanese 2A and 2B respectively

Japanese 1 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese minor are only required to complete Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 were formerly called Japanese 3A and 3B respectively

JAPANESE 3 ENTRY POINT

Japanese 3 entry point - Level 1

Students completing a Japanese major or minor with a Japanese 3 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 3 and Japanese 4 were formerly called Japanese 2A and 2B respectively

Japanese 3 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 3 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese minor are only required to complete Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 were formerly called Japanese 3A and 3B respectively

Japanese 3 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 3 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese minor are only required to complete Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 were formerly called Japanese 4A and 4B respectively

JAPANESE 5 ENTRY POINT

Japanese 5 entry point - Level 1

Students completing a Japanese major or minor with a Japanese 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 were formerly called Japanese 3A and 3B respectively

Japanese 5 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese minor are required to complete Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 were formerly called Japanese 4A and 4B respectively

Japanese 5 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese minor are only required to complete two of the following subjects (25 points).

JAPANESE 7 ENTRY POINT

Japanese 7 entry point - Level 1

Students completing a Japanese major or minor with a Japanese 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Note:
Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 were formerly called Japanese 4A and 4B respectively

Japanese 7 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese Minor are only required to complete JAPN20012 and JAPN20011 (25 points).

Japanese 7 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Japanese major with a Japanese 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Students completing the Japanese minor are only required to complete JAPN30004 and JAPN30003 (25 points).

SUPER ADVANCED ENTRY POINT

NOTE: Only a minor is available for students beginning at the Super Advanced Entry Point.

Super Advanced Entry Point - Level 1

Students completing the Japanese minor with an Advanced entry point are required to complete the following subjects at Level 1 (25 points).

Super Advanced Entry Point - Level 2

Students completing the Japanese minor with an Advanced entry point are required to complete the following subjects at level 2 (25 points).

Super Advanced Entry Point - Level 3

Students completing the Japanese minor with an Advanced entry point are required to complete the following subjects at level 3 (25 points).