Japanese as a foreign language Course Outline
Middle School – Grades 6 to 8
Aims/Objectives
The Grades 6-8 MYP language B courses are designed to enable the students to use the languages effectively as a means of practical communication. They also aim to offer insight into the cultural characteristics of the communities where the languages are spoken. It is the aim of the YIS Modern Language Department to foster curiosity and a life-long interest and enjoyment in language learning. The MYP language B courses also aim to further intercultural awareness and international-mindedness.
Skills
The four primary language skills, namely listening, speaking, reading and writing are developed in an integrated way. The balance between these language skills is adapted to the needs of the students and the level. Competence in each of the primary skills involves an understanding of three interrelated areas:
- Language: handling the language system accurately (grammar, syntax, etc.)
- Cultural interaction: selecting language appropriate to a particular cultural and social context
- Message: understanding ideas and how they are organized in order to communicate them appropriately
Assessment
Tasks will allow students to show how they can put it all together.
Assessment tasks may be: writing, reading or listening tests, oral presentations or interviews, reading and writing tasks, etc.
The assessment tasks will be assessed against several criteria.
MYP LANGUAGE B CRITERIA:
- Oral communication/ maximum 8
- Visual interpretation/ maximum 8
- Reading comprehension/ maximum 8
- Writing/ maximum 8
Course Descriptions
Japanese FL 1
Those students who have either no background or limited experience in Japanese join this course. Emphasis is placed on the development of communicative skills through oral practice and activities. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to express themselves in simple sentences about a familiar theme and read and write Hiragana, Katakana and some Kanji.
Japanese FL 2
This course is geared to students who have an intermediate proficiency level. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to engage in and sustain short conversations around a range of familiar themes and write short informative passages in Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Students will be introduced to additional Kanji. Students will be able to ask and answer questions about directions, locations and special interests. They will also be able to participate in group discussions related to teenage life and express the same in small compositions.
Japanese FL 3
This course is geared to students who have intermediate-advanced to advanced proficiency level. This course consolidates all four skills of Japanese language studies. The students will continue to improve their reading and listening skills, sentence construction, word usage and self-expression. Emphasis will be placed upon the acquisition of well-balanced skills in all types of communication with the use of some authentic materials.
IBDP B Course Outline
High School – Grade 11/12
Aims/Objectives
- To develop the ability to use the target language effectively for practical communication.
- To develop the ability to communicate accurately in speech and in writing within a range of contexts.
- To develop an awareness of the nature of language and language learning.
- To provide students with a sound linguistic base for further study, work and leisure.
- To offer insights into the culture and civilization of other countries.
- To encourage positive attitudes to the learning of other languages and to their speakers and countries.
Skills
The four primary language skills, namely listening, speaking, reading and writing are developed in an integrated way. The balance between these language skills is adapted to the needs of the students and the level. Competence in each of the primary skills involves an understanding of three interrelated areas:
- Language: handling the language system accurately (grammar, syntax, etc.)
- Cultural interaction: selecting language appropriate to a particular cultural and social context
- Message: understanding ideas and how they are organized in order to communicate them appropriately.
Assessment
Tasks will allow students to show how they can put it all together.
Assessment tasks may be: oral presentations, essays, major projects, substantial reading and writing tasks, etc. The assessment tasks will be evaluated against several criteria.
LANGUAGE B IBDP CRITERIA:
- Language/ productive skills maximum 10
- Message/ interactive receptive skills/argument maximum 10
- Format/ maximum 5
These criteria come with descriptors. Students are informed on what the requirements are for each task and how they will be assessed.
Course Descriptions
Available at both higher and standard levels, the Language B courses occupy the middle ground of the group 2 modern language spectrum and are language-learning courses for students with some previous experience of learning the target language. The main focus of these courses is on language acquisition and the development of skills considerably beyond those expected of an ab initio candidate, up to a fairly sophisticated degree at higher level. Language B courses give students the opportunity to reach a high degree of competence in a language and to explore the culture using the language. The courses provide and integrated study of grammar, literature and cultural aspects. At the end of these courses students will have developed the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a range of situations. Students in the higher level courses will demonstrate the ability to communicate more complex ideas and the ability to analyze longer and more difficult texts. They will also engage in an in-depth study of a few literary works.
