Subject Area: Japanese Studies

The course follows 'Introductory Japanese A' and further introduces a number of basic Japanese structures and vocabulary that are essential to basic Japanese communication. It also offers learning of about 100 Kanji, Japanese characters.

They are taught through six social/cultural topics following the textbook, Nakama Book 1b chapters:

1. Favourite things and activities,
2. Shopping,
3. Restaurant and invitation,
4. Family,
5. Seasons and weather,
6. Annual events.

In each topic, while studying the language, students are challenged to discover different approaches to viewing the world around them linguistically and culturally, and are given the opportunity to understand current sociocultural issues in Japan. The theme of the course is "Connection." Through the course, the students not only "connect" with the Japanese language, culture and society, but also "connect" with their classmates, teachers, native-speakers from the community, as well as with themselves, through critical reflection and expression of self.