Intro to Intermediate Japanese
Intro to Intermediate Japanese, which I took in Japan Fall 2012, was used to meet part of the MLO 1&2 section studied a variety of topics by relating them back to Japanese culture. Throughout this course we started by reading about a certain vague topic such as onomatopoeia, and then we read a story that used, or explained the topic indepth. I feel by doing this we weren’t just being introduced to the topic,, but being forced to study and use it in context. This made the class very good review especially when looking at onomatopoeia or hobbies or counting section. It seems to me, that most of the troubles foreigners have with studying language is they’re not given hands on experience in a manner that helps them work through their problems using the knowledge that they gained in previous classes. Usually they are told there problems and the class continues. Though, in this class we spent an extraordinary amount of time studying each chaper, and working together in groups to further develop our communication skills.
Sadly, the one thing that I didn’t like about this course was that it was a examination based course, so instead of getting hands on experience like what I was used to in america, I had to switch to an examination based way of studying, which was very difficult for me. For me, I don’t really agree with using examinations to test a person’s amount of retention. Say if the person has test anxiety, they could know the material, and have reviewed it before hand, but when they come to take take the exam, it’s very difficult for them.
Through this course I was able to study Japanese as it relates to Japanese culture, which I really liked. Personally, I felt really helped me when I had to communicate my thought’s or desires with Japanese nationals. I learned how to relay my ideas in an effective way, which is something that I always had trouble with.
I want to continue developing my communication skills, and since I’m going back to Japan, that’ll be very easy.
Sadly, the one thing that I didn’t like about this course was that it was a examination based course, so instead of getting hands on experience like what I was used to in america, I had to switch to an examination based way of studying, which was very difficult for me. For me, I don’t really agree with using examinations to test a person’s amount of retention. Say if the person has test anxiety, they could know the material, and have reviewed it before hand, but when they come to take take the exam, it’s very difficult for them.
Through this course I was able to study Japanese as it relates to Japanese culture, which I really liked. Personally, I felt really helped me when I had to communicate my thought’s or desires with Japanese nationals. I learned how to relay my ideas in an effective way, which is something that I always had trouble with.
I want to continue developing my communication skills, and since I’m going back to Japan, that’ll be very easy.