Our language courses aim to develop your linguistic skills and intercultural competence.

Courses

The following Japanese courses are available for members of the public and University of Bath staff:

You can find out more on the general information page.

Detailed entry guidelines and Schemes of Work for each course are available. Please contact us if:

• you are not a complete beginner
• you have already completed Japanese GCSE, A level, IB, any level of JLPT
• you are able to speak fluently even if you are not confident in reading and writing
• Japanese is your heritage language (i.e. it is spoken in your family but is not your first language)
• you have lived in Japan in the past

Course descriptions

Complete Beginner (Semester 1)

This course is suitable if you have never studied Japanese before, or if you know just a few words or phrases.

During the course you will:

• be introduced to the language (pronunciation, vocabulary and basic grammar)
• learn to use greetings and useful phrases
• learn to introduce yourself and family (e.g. name, nationality, age, occupation, hobbies, likes and dislikes and describing people)
• learn to use the Japanese alphabets (Hiragana) and some Kanji
• learn to understand simple written and spoken texts
• be introduced to some aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture, society, customs and habits

Post Beginner (Semester 2)

This course is suitable if you have completed the complete beginner course with us or you are at a similar level. In order to join the course, you are required to be able to read Hiragana fluently.

During the post beginner's course, you will:

• learn how to talk about yourself and everyday topics, such as: family and friends, daily routines, weekend and holiday plans and experiences, and your hometown / home country
• learn to use some phrases for weather, shopping and at a restaurant
• learn to use the Japanese alphabets (Hiragana and Katakana) and some Kanji
• listen to/read short spoken and written texts, including both fiction and non-fiction
• be introduced to some aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture, society, customs, and habits

Lower Intermediate Part 1 (Semester 1)

This course is suitable if you have completed the Post Beginners' course with us, or if you are at a similar level. Alternatively, you can join this course if you are at A1 level in the CEFR, a rusty past GCSE level student or achieved IB ab initio grades 1 – 5; or/and if you are preparing for JLPT N5. You are required to be able to read Hiragana and Katakana fluently.

During the Lower Intermediate Part 1 course, you will:

• learn to talk confidently about yourself and everyday topics such as: family and friends, daily routines, hobbies and interests, abilities and talents, past experiences and events, customs and habits, and future plans using some complex grammar structures
• learn how to express your thoughts and opinions
• listen to, read, write, and understand short texts, including both fiction and non-fiction
• learn how to talk about some aspects of traditional and modern culture, society, customs, and habits both in Japan and your home country

Lower Intermediate Part 2 (Semester 2)

This course is suitable if you have completed the Lower Intermediate Part 1 course with us, or if you are at a similar level. Alternatively, you can join this course if you are at A1/A2 level in the CEFR; have achieved a recent GCSE with a high grade or IB ab initio grades 6 or 7 / IB standard level grades 1 – 4; and/or if you have passed JLPT N5 or have just started preparing for JLPT N4.

During the Lower Intermediate Part 2 course, you will:

• learn how to discuss details within your field of interest
• learn to talk confidently and in detail about everyday topics such as: family and friends, weather forecasts and your health and wellbeing using some complex grammar structures
• learn to understand and follow instructions, including directions and during emergencies
• learn how to speak about a variety of subjects in formal and informal ways
• listen to, read, write, and understand longer texts, including both fiction and non-fiction
• learn how to talk about some aspects of traditional and modern culture, society, customs, and habits in Japan, your home country, and other countries

Course dates and times

All courses consist of 10 weekly interactive sessions delivered on our Claverton Down campus in person (IPL = In-person learning).

Courses will run on the following dates and times:

Please note that there will be no lessons during the Easter break from Monday 1 April to Friday 12 April 2024.

Enrolment and cost

Enrolment for Semester 2 courses will open on 9 January 2024.

Members of the public

The cost for each course is £144 per semester. Please enrol using the links in the Course dates and times table.

University of Bath staff

University of Bath staff receive a 10% discount. Please enrol on MySkills. You will then receive a link to the University of Bath online store for the cost of the course.