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JPN-90003 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

JPN-90003 - Japanese 3
Coordinator: Toshihiko Kitagawa
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733960

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 5)
Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 5)
Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 6)
Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 6)


Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Japanese 2 or equivalent (e.g. CEFR A1).

Barred Combinations

none.

Description for 2025/26

This module is designed for students with a basic foundation in Japanese (such as completion of Japanese 2 or an equivalent level). It aims to further develop communication skills, enabling you to speak, listen, read, write, and interact in simple and routine situations commonly encountered when socialising, living, studying, or travelling in Japanese-speaking environments. You will engage with practical topics and functions such as describing events and places, expressing impressions, talking about likes and dislikes, and making social arrangements.
Basic kanji characters will be introduced in this module, building on your existing knowledge of hiragana and katakana.
In addition to language development, the module introduces you to culturally specific behaviours and social norms, enhancing your ability to communicate appropriately and effectively in everyday situations. It also encourages the use of effective language learning strategies to support continued progress.

Aims
This module builds on basic Japanese language skills to further develop and consolidate students’ receptive (reading and listening), productive (speaking and writing) and interactive abilities in the target language. It also enhances basic understanding of the culture and everyday communication, while encouraging the use of effective language learning strategies.

Intended Learning Outcomes

recognise and understand familiar words, and basic sentences related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g. personal information) when people speak slowly and clearly: 2,3
read and extract key information from short, simple sentences and texts written in Japanese: 1,2
interact in very simple, familiar situations, asking and answering simple questions in areas of immediate need, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly: 3
write simple sentences and texts providing personal information in Japanese: 1,2
understand and use simple grammatical structures and rules and compare them to English: 1,2,3
recognise and act upon very basic cultural differences as encountered in everyday situations and demonstrate knowledge of common traditions in Japan: 1,2,3

Study hours

22 hours of contact time in class.
40 hours of assessment preparation and completion.
88 hours of guided independent study.

School Rules

Admission to the module must be confirmed through completion of a language level self-assessment form.
Students can only take one Japanese language module per semester.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Class Test weighted 30%
Class Test
Students will complete an in-class test (maximum duration 45 minutes) to assess competence in receptive and productive skills. Tasks may include writing a short text in the target language, undertaking a dictation, translating a passage, or completing vocabulary and grammar exercises. All tasks will align with CEFR descriptors for language use at the relevant level.

2: Flexible Class Test weighted 20%
Flexible Online KLE Test
Students will complete a series of online exercises on the KLE platform (maximum duration 60 minutes) designed to assess reading comprehension, listening, grammar and vocabulary knowledge and writing skills in the target language. All tasks will align with CEFR descriptors for language use at the relevant level.

3: Speaking Assessment weighted 50%
Spoken Interaction Assessment
A 6-10 minute Spoken Interaction Assessment designed to assess learners’ competence in speaking (production), listening (reception) and conversation (interaction). Tasks may include a presentation, role play, or description of a visual or audiovisual prompt, followed by a question-and-answer section. Where assessments are conducted in pairs or groups, each student will be assessed individually and awarded separate marks.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025