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Learn Japanese with the Skills Centre as a member of the public or University staff

Find out about our courses and how to enrol on the right one for you.

Students in an Advanced Japanese Class
Develop your language and intercultural skills

We offer four levels of 10-week Japanese courses over the whole academic year:

  • Complete Beginner (Semester 1 & 2)
  • Post Beginner (Semester 2)
  • Lower Intermediate Part 1 (Semester 1)
  • Lower Intermediate Part 2 (Semester 2).

The aim of each course is to give some knowledge of the Japanese language, so that you will be able to communicate in everyday settings using all four skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing).

Cultural elements are also explored throughout the course to create a better understanding of Japan and Japanese society.

The 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.

Complete Beginner

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

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.

Enrolment

Enrolment for the Semester 2 2022/23 language courses is now closed.

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us.