Japanese Section, ILA

Japanese English

2026 1Q/2Q Course list and descriptions

Related information:

** As for international students specializing in medicine/dentistry fields on Yushima campus:
 Please refer to the following webpage:  ->>Language Program

1. Language levels and courses
Level Regular courses Specific skill / Japanese culture courses CEFR JLPT
Beginner
B1, B2
Basic Japanese 1/2
(2 classes/week)
Japanese culture 1: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture - -
Upper-elementary
B3, B4
Basic Japanese 3/4
(2 classes/week)
Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 1/2 (only for B4)
Japanese kanji: Basic 1/2/3/4
Japanese culture 2: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture
A1/A2 N5/N4
Pre-intermediate
I1, I2
Intermediate Japanese 1/2 Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 1/2
Japanese conversation: Intermediate 1/2 (Suspended)
Japanese kanji: Basic 1/2/3/4
Japanese kanji: Intermediate 1/2
Japanese culture 2: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture
A2+ N4/N3
Lower-intermediate
I3, I4
Intermediate Japanese 3/4 Japanese conversation: Intermediate 3/4
Japanese kanji: Intermediate 1/2/3/4 (Suspended 3/4 for this semester)
B1 N3
Mid-intermediate
I5, I6
Intermediate Japanese 5/6 Japanese kanji: Intermediate 3/4 (Suspended for this semester)
Japanese seminar 1~6
B1+/B2 N3/N2
Upper-intermediate
I7, I8
Intermediate Japanese 7/8 Japanese seminar 3~10 B2 N2
Pre-Advanced
U1~U8
- Japanese seminar 7~10
Japanese culture 3/4 : Multi-cultural collaboration
B2+ N2
*It takes two quarters (approximately four months) to finish one language level

2. Course descriptions
Regular courses
All classes will be conducted face-to-face in the classroom.
Course No. Level Course Title Course description and aims Textbook
LAJ.J411 B1 Basic Japanese 1
This course is aimed at first-time learners of the Japanese language (Beginner 1). Students will learn:
- the basic of Japanese grammar and vocabulary for everyday situations;
- information about Japanese culture and society.
Students will also learn Japanese characters, Hiragana and Katakana. Through a variety of communicative activities, students will be able to communicate in ordinary conversation, and will learn how to express their own ideas using basic Japanese.
Basic Japanese for Students Hakase1 (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883194056)
LAJ.J412 B2 Basic Japanese 2 This course is aimed at very beginning learners (Beginner 2) of the Japanese language. Students will learn the basic of Japanese grammar and vocabulary for everyday situations . Students will learn writing Japanese sentences using Hiragana and Katakana. Through a variety of communicative activities, students will be able to communicate in ordinary conversation and will learn how to express their own ideas with using in basic Japanese. Basic Japanese for Students Hakase2 (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883194063)
LAJ.J413 B3 Basic Japanese 3
This course is aimed at beginning learners (Beginner 3) who have studied the Japanese language for about 6 months. Students will learn the latter stage of basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary. This course focuses on acquiring natural Japanese depending on the situation, and a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and the Japanese society through language learning.
In addition to speaking and listening exercises, students will work on reading and writing. Through a variety of communicative activities, students will be able to communicate in a more natural way, and will learn how to express their own ideas using Japanese.
日本語初級2大地 メインテキスト
Elementary Japanese (2) Daichi Main text (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883195077)

日本語初級2大地 文型説明と翻訳 英語版
Elementary Japanese (2) Daichi: Translation of Main Text and Grammar Notes (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883195213)
LAJ.J414 B4 Basic Japanese 4 This course is aimed at beginning learners (Beginner 4) who have studied the Japanese language for about 6 months. Students will learn the latter stage of basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary. This course focuses on acquiring natural Japanese depending on the situation, and a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and the Japanese society through language learning.
In addition to speaking and listening exercises, students will work on reading and writing. Through a variety of communicative activities, students will be able to communicate in a more natural way, and will learn how to express their own ideas using Japanese.
日本語初級2大地 メインテキスト
Elementary Japanese (2) Daichi Main text (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883195077)

日本語初級2大地 文型説明と翻訳 英語版
Elementary Japanese (2) Daichi: Translation of Main Text and Grammar Notes (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883195213)
LAJ.J421 I1 Intermediate Japanese 1
This course is for students who have already completed the beginner's level. The four-skill exercises will be conducted based on topics. The course will further introduce more pre-intermediate level vocabulary and sentence patterns. The course will help students acquire practical Japanese skills through task-oriented exercises.
中級へ行こう 日本語の文型と表現55 第2版
Chuu kyuu e ikoo (3A Corporation: ISBN 9784883197286)
LAJ.J422 I2 Intermediate Japanese 2 This course is for students who have already completed the beginner's level. The four-skill exercises will be conducted based on topics. The course will further introduce more pre-intermediate level vocabulary and sentence patterns. The course will help students acquire practical Japanese skills through task-oriented exercises. 中級へ行こう 日本語の文型と表現55 第2版
Chuu kyuu e ikoo (3A Corporation: ISBN 9784883197286)
LAJ.J423 I3 Intermediate Japanese 3
This course is for students who have already completed the Intermediate Japanese 1 and 2 levels. The four-skill exercises will be conducted based on topics.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) read sentences and obtain information;
2) present opinions on social issues.
中級を学ぼう 日本語の文型と表現56 中級前期 第2版
Chukyu o manabou (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883197880)
LAJ.J424 I4 Intermediate Japanese 4 This course is for students who have already completed the intermediate 3 level. The four-skill exercises will be conducted based on topics.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) read sentences and obtain information;
2) present opinions on social issues.
中級を学ぼう 日本語の文型と表現56 中級前期 第2版
Chukyu o manabou (3A corporation: ISBN 9784883197880)
LAJ.J511 I5 Intermediate Japanese 5
This course is for students who have JLPT_N3 level proficiency and further wish to proceed to JLPT_N2 level. Reading practices on various kinds of materials will be conducted to help students acquire skills for effective reading. Students are expected to select their own materials, and share the content with other students both orally and in writing through various oral / composition practices.
日本語学習者のための 読解厳選テーマ10[中級]
(BONJINSHA Inc.: 9784893589132)
LAJ.J512 I6 Intermediate Japanese 6 This course is for students who have JLPT_N3 level proficiency and further wish to proceed to JLPT_N2 level. Reading practices on various kinds of materials will be conducted to help students acquire skills for effective reading. Students are expected to select their own materials, and share the content with other students both orally and in writing through various oral / composition practices. It is desirable to have taken Intermediate Japanese 5. 日本語学習者のための 読解厳選テーマ10[中級]
(BONJINSHA Inc.: 9784893589132)
LAJ.J513 I7 Intermediate Japanese 7
This course is for students who have completed Intermediate Japanese 5/6 or have JLPT N2 level, and students are expected to:
1) read texts on various topics (texts should be longer and more difficult compared with those of Intermediate level);
2) make a research on subjects of their interest, and summarize and present the content and opinions in clear and understandable terms (e.g. presentations);
3) develop vocabulary and expressions to write sentences using correct sentence patterns; write long sentences along with the theme while paying attention to the whole structure;
The aim of this course is to help students acquire comprehensive Japanese skills at the upper-Intermediate / Advanced level.
Original material
LAJ.J514 I8 Intermediate Japanese 8 This course is for students who have completed Intermediate Japanese 7 or have JLPT N2 level, and students are expected to:
1) read texts on various topics (texts should be longer and more difficult compared with those of Intermediate level);
2) make a research on subjects of their interest, and summarize and present the content and opinions in clear and understandable terms (e.g. presentations);
3) develop vocabulary and expressions to write sentences using correct sentence patterns; write long sentences along with the theme while paying attention to the whole structure;
The aim of this course is to help students acquire comprehensive Japanese skills at the upper-Intermediate / Advanced level.
Original material

Specific skill courses and Japanese culture courses
All classes will be conducted face-to-face in the classroom.
Course No. Level Course Title Course description and aims Textbook
B1, B2 level
LAJ.T501 B1~B2 Japanese culture 1: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture
We will learn Japanese culture areas through language, arts, music, and several plays of children. We will discuss some uniqueness of Japanese culture from the viewpoint of international students. By means of culture study, we will learn the introduction of the Japanese language as well.
Original material
B3, B4 level
LAJ.T415 B3~I2 Japanese kanji: Basic 1
This course is for students who have completed the first half of beginner-level vocabulary and sentence patterns to master the shapes, pronunciations, meanings, and compound words of beginner-level kanji. Students will also acquire knowledge of the fundamental kanji system and develop kanji recognition skills through classroom activities.

This course is for students who do not use kanji in their first language.
Original material
LAJ.T416 B3~I2 Japanese kanji: Basic 2 This course is aimed at students who have finished Japanese Kanji :Basic 1 (or those who have studied about 150 kanji). Students will learn basic Kanji often used for daily life and campus life. The aim of this course is to help students acquire further knowledge of Kanji system and skills for recognizing Kanji through various class activities.

This course is for students who do not use kanji in their first language.
Original material
LAJ.T417 B3~I2 Japanese kanji: Basic 3
This course focuses on basic Japanese kanji, and covers the fundamentals of Japanese hiragana and kanji calligraphy.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Read and write 80 basic kanji letters;
2. Understand how to stroke with brush, and to further write Japanese kanji accordingly.

This course is for students who do not use kanji in their first language.
どんどんつながる漢字練習帳 初級 (株式会社アルク)
CONNECTING WITH KANJI:A Workbook for Beginners [Japanese Edition] (ALC PRESS INC.)
ISBN:978-4-7574-2618-4
LAJ.T502 B3~I2 Japanese culture 2: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture
This course explores the Japanese language and culture through topics such as language, art, and music. Special attention is given to aspects that may be particularly engaging from the perspective of international students. Through the study of culture, students will also learn communication strategies in Japanese.
Original material
LAJ.T411 B4~I2 Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 1 See below
LAJ.T412 B4~I2 Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 2 See below
I1, I2 level
LAJ.T411 B4~I2 Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 1
This course is for students who have completed the basic level, specifically for those who are still not confident in their Japanese when they speak with Japanese people. This course will focus on various interesting topics to be shared with the class.
Original material
LAJ.T412 B4~I2 Japanese conversation: Pre-intermediate 2 This course is for students who have completed the basic level, specifically for those who are still not confident in their Japanese when they speak with Japanese people. This course will focus on various interesting topics to be shared with the class. Original material
LAJ.T415 B3~I2 Japanese kanji: Basic 1 See above
LAJ.T416 B3~I2 Japanese kanji: Basic 2 See above
LAJ.T417 B3~I2 Japanese kanji: Basic 3 See above
LAJ.T427 I1~I4 Japanese kanji: Intermediate 1
This course is aimed at students who have finished the study of basic level Japanese with knowledge of about 250 basic Kanji. Students will learn Kanji often used for the study of lower-intermediate level Japanese language as well as for daily life and campus life including their research activities. Students will learn the pronunciation and the meaning of each Kanji and Kanji combinations, and will further expand their knowledge of Kanji system and skills for recognizing Kanji which will lead them to achieve their autonomous Kanji studying.

This course is for students who do not use kanji in their first language.
Original material
LAJ.T428 I1~I4 Japanese kanji: Intermediate 2 This course is aimed at students who have finished Japanese Kanji : Intermediate 1 (or those who have studied about 350 kanji). Students will learn Kanji often used for the study of lower-intermediate level Japanese courses as well as for daily life and campus life including their research activities. The course will further expand students' knowledge of Kanji system and skills for recognizing Kanji which will lead them to achieve their autonomous Kanji studying.

This course is for students who do not use kanji in their first language.
Original material
LAJ.T502 B3~I2 Japanese culture 2: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture See above
I3, I4 level
LAJ.T433 I3, I4 Japanese conversation: Intermediate 3
This course is for students who have already completed Intermediate 2 level. Students will learn how to appropriately use the expressions they have learned depending on the occasion and the person they are talking to. The course will further introduce more formal words and euphemistic expressions, and will also help students acquire practical Japanese skills through task-oriented exercises.
Original material
LAJ.T434 I3, I4 Japanese conversation: Intermediate 4 This course will help students practice how to appropriately use the expressions they have learned depending on the occasion and the person they are talking to. The course will further introduce more formal words and euphemistic expressions, and will also help students acquire practical Japanese skills through task-oriented exercises and presentations. Original material
LAJ.T427 I1~I4 Japanese kanji: Intermediate 1 See above
LAJ.T428 I1~I4 Japanese kanji: Intermediate 2 See above
I5 ~ U8 level
LAJ.T441 I5~I6 Japanese seminar 1: Grammar
This course aims to help students acquire N2-level grammar and expressions, enabling them to use these skills practically. Students will engage in various activities, including practice exercises, creating sample sentences, and discussions, to hone their practical skills.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) understand and appropriately use N2-level Japanese grammar and expressions;
2) comprehend and analyze new Japanese texts independently without the help of others.
許明子・宮崎恵子『レベルアップ日本語文法 中級』くろしお出版 ISBN: 978-4-87424-597-2 C0081
LAJ.T442 I5~I6 Japanese seminar 2: Grammar This course aims to help students acquire N2-level grammar and expressions, enabling them to use these skills practically. Students will engage in various activities, including practice exercises, creating sample sentences, and discussions, to hone their practical skills.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) understand and appropriately use N2-level Japanese grammar and expressions;
2) comprehend and analyze new Japanese texts independently without the help of others.
許明子・宮崎恵子『レベルアップ日本語文法 中級』くろしお出版 ISBN: 978-4-87424-597-2 C0081
LAJ.T443 I5~I8 Japanese seminar 3: Oral expression Based on the content of the study in the Mid-intermediate and Upper-intermediate levels, students are expected to develop oral expression skills in Japanese, for such skills are necessary to build better relationships and to lead a smooth social life in Japan. In addition, students will also learn about the cultural background of Japan in order to acquire appropriate oral expressions. This class mainly deals with conversations for situations in campus life and daily life. Original material
LAJ.T444 I5~I8 Japanese seminar 4: Oral expression Based on the content of the study in the Mid-intermediate and Upper-intermediate levels, students are expected to develop oral expression skills in Japanese, for such skills are necessary to build better relationships and to lead a smooth social life in Japan. In addition, students will also learn about the cultural background of Japan in order to acquire appropriate oral expressions. This class mainly deals with conversations for situations in campus life and workplaces. Original material
LAJ.T445 I5~I8 Japanese seminar 5: Writing skills 1. The aim of this course is to develop students' ability to write opinion essays and explanatory texts.
2. Group learning sessions including grammar correction will be conducted during the class.
3. Students are expected to exchange essays with other students in Japan and overseas by online activities (sakubun.org).
Original material
LAJ.T446 I5~I8 Japanese seminar 6: Writing skills 1. The aim of this course is develop students' ability to write opinion essays and explanatory texts.
2. Group learning sessions including grammar correction will be conducted during the class.
3. Students are expected to exchange their essays with other students in Japan and overseas by online activities (sakubun.org).
4. Students are also expected to acquire the ability to write presentation slides in Japanese.
Original material
LAJ.T447 I7~U8 Japanese seminar 7: Career development The aim of this course is to help students learn how to gather information about job hunting in Japan. In addition, students are expected to conduct self-analysis and think about their own career path.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) gather information about job hunting;
2) conduct self-analysis;
3) express their motivation for the job or the company they are applying for in Japanese;
4) draw up their curriculum vitae in Japanese.

** This course is only for graduate students. Exchange students and research students are not eligible for this course.
Original material
LAJ.T448 I7~U8 Japanese seminar 8: Career development The aim of this course is to help students learn the skills required for job hunting in Japan, which are:
- how to conduct self-analysis;
- how to draw up their entry sheet properly in Japanese;
- how to express their opinions in Japanese at individual interviews and group discussions.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) draw up their entry sheet properly in Japanese;
2) become able to appeal to others in Japanese;
3) understand how to participate in group discussions;
4) understand the important points and tips for online and face-to-face interviews.

** This course is only for graduate students. Exchange students and research students are not eligible for this course.
Original material
LAJ.T449 I7~U8 Japanese seminar 9: Vocabulary and grammar mastery This course develops students’ mastery of JLPT N1-level grammar and expressions and their ability to use them effectively in practical contexts. Students will engage in activities such as practice exercises, sentence creation, and discussions to strengthen their practical Japanese language skills.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. understand and accurately use JLPT N1-level Japanese grammar and expressions;
2. analyze and interpret new Japanese expressions.
ABK財団法人アジア学生文化協会『TRY! 日本語能力試験 N1 文法から伸ばす日本語 改訂版』 ISBN-10: 9784872179048
LAJ.T450 I7~U8 Japanese seminar 10: Vocabulary and grammar mastery This course develops students’ mastery of JLPT N1-level grammar and expressions and their ability to use them effectively in practical contexts. Students will engage in activities such as practice exercises, sentence creation, and discussions to strengthen their practical Japanese language skills.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. understand and accurately use JLPT N1-level Japanese grammar and expressions;
2. analyze and interpret new Japanese expressions.
ABK財団法人アジア学生文化協会『TRY! 日本語能力試験 N1 文法から伸ばす日本語 改訂版』 ISBN-10: 9784872179048
U1 ~ U8 level
LAJ.C501 U1~U8 Japanese culture 3: Multi-cultural collaboration
Through text readings and discussion, students will learn the knowledge and communication skills necessary to work smoothly in a multicultural environment. This course examines the conflicts of international graduates from Japanese universities and Japanese employees working in a global environment.The course further examines how they try to solve such conflicts, as well as how they feel the significance of their own existence in their workplace from their respective viewpoint.
Original material
LAJ.C502 U1~U8 Japanese culture 4: Multi-cultural collaboration Through text readings and discussion, students will learn the current situation of exchange between Japanese students and international students, and conditions and theories of cross-cultural contact for prejudice reduction. Students are also expected to deepen mutual understanding through exchange and collaborative experiences with Japanese students, and to acquire multicultural communication skills and leadership from cognitive, emotional, and behavioral perspectives through this course. Original material
LAJ.T447/448 I7~U8 Japanese seminar: 7/8 Career development See above
LAJ.T449/450 I7~U8 Japanese seminar: 9/10 Vocabulary and grammar mastery See above

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