Japanese Language Course

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Japanese Language Program Objective

The Boston Language Institute, New England’s leading language school, offers Japanese language courses to individuals and companies. The quality of instruction provided in our Japanese language classes are on a par with the best native Japanese language school.

Our teaching methods are individualized...even in groups. Small classes of four to twelve students assure that each student receives ample individual attention and the chance to participate actively in class. The result is a learning environment that fosters a higher level of fluency than a typical college course. We consider it to be the major goal of our program to have students use Japanese in as many real-life situations as possible. Our Japanese programs have been designed to develop proficiency in both the spoken and written language. Homework, which includes cassette tapes for oral review, is an important part of our program. With an expert Japanese instructor as your guide, you will learn to speak, read, write and understand Japanese in a warm, relaxed atmosphere, and you will be introduced to Japanese culture from the unique perspective of an educated professional.

Japanese Level 1

Japanese Level 1 is designed to teach beginners a day-to-day language, and to introduce pronunciation, basic sentence patterns and essential vocabulary for communicating in the standard spoken language. The course includes reading and writing both the hiragana and the katakana writing systems, using daily phrases, understanding numerals, time expressions, and counting systems.
(Japanese for Busy People Vol. 1, Lessons 1-11)

Japanese Level 2

Japanese Level 2 continues to build upon the basic foundation acquired in Level 1, emphasizing further vocabulary and conversational practice using new grammar including the conjugation of adjectives, and the -te and -nai forms of verbs. Examples of customary behavior in everyday situations such as giving and receiving gifts, using the telephone, asking directions will be introduced. The course provides frequent practice in reading and writing hiragana and katakana.
(Japanese for Busy People Vol. 1, Lessons 12-25)

Japanese Level 3

Japanese Level 3 is for those who are motivated to continue to a more advanced level of the language. Students learn more complex sentence structures through the study of dictionary forms and the -ta forms of verbs while acquiring conversational skills such as making comparisons, and describing things using adjectives. About 50 kanji are also introduced.
(Japanese for Busy People Vol. 1, Lessons 26-30) and (Japanese for Busy People Vol. 2, Lessons 1-4)

Japanese Level 4

Japanese Level 4 helps students acquire a more advanced level of grammar such as relative clauses, subordinate clauses, and less formal speech while practicing conversation in practical situations such as applying for school, and making hotel reservations. Students will acquire another 80 kanji by the end of this course.
(Japanese for Busy People Vol. 2, Lessons 5-12)

Japanese Level 5

Japanese Level 5 is geared toward many more communication skills based on everyday topics, for example, discussing the rules of sumo wrestling and delivering flowers. Writing a diary and a thesis is also introduced using the plain forms of verbs. The course covers grammar including conditional, volitional, and potential form of verbs, polite and informal speech. Students will add about 80 more kanji.
(Japanese for Busy People Vol. 2, Lessons 13-20)

Conversational Japanese

Conversational Japanese This is a program designed for students who already have a good command of the language. Conducted entirely in Japanese, the course emphasizes speaking and understanding spoken Japanese in a cultural context. It aims to develop conversational skills by focusing on communication strategies, including the use of topical videos and CDs.

Japanese Proficiency Test Preparation

Japanese Proficiency Test Preparation is for those who have mastered Level V and would like to challenge themselves to evaluate their language skills by taking the test. The test administered by the Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) is held annually in December. The course preparing for the level 4 test (the easiest) will train students to be confident in writing, reading, listening by reviewing grammar and expanding their vocabulary. Conversational Japanese is also emphasized.