Japanese Language Subjects
Six Japanese language subjects for different skill levels will be offered for graduate students. These are not required subjects. Students should keep the following in mind when registering for any of these subjects.
Please check the class schedule at the beginning of each semester for the subjects offered that semester as subjects may change. Japanese language subjects’ syllabi can be found on the syllabus system.
| Subject Name |
Number of Credits |
Counted toward the Credits Required for Completion | Grades | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSAM | GSM | GSAD | ||||
| 1 | Survival Japanese I | 2 | No | No | No | Pass or Fail (P/F) |
| 2 | Survival Japanese II | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Japanese for Communication I | 2 | No | Yes | No |
Letter grade (A+ to C, F) |
| 4 | Japanese for Communication II | 2 | ||||
| 5 | Japanese for Communication III | 2 | ||||
| 6 | Japanese for Communication IV | 2 | ||||
- Students who want to take Japanese language subjects must sit a placement test to determine the subject level they can start at.
- Students may register up to 1 subject per semester.
- Each class is held for the duration of the semester.
- Class capacity is set for all Japanese language classes. Students cannot register for classes with fulfilled class capacity.
- Credits earned from Japanese language subjects are counted towards the completion requirements differently depending on the graduate school / program and details are outlined in the table above; however, these credits count as part of the maximum credit limit set for each semester.
- Japanese language subjects for which a passing grade has been received will be listed on the Transcript of Academic Record.
- Students who passed the preceding subject level do not have to sit a placement test again to register for the next subject level.
- Japanese for Communication I to IV are letter graded. However, grades from these subjects are calculated differently in the semester or cumulative GPAs depending on the graduate school / program. Details are outlined in the table on the previous page.
- Further details and class syllabi for Graduate School Japanese language subjects can be found in the syllabus system.
| Subject Name | Subject Overview |
|---|---|
| Survival Japanese I |
This subject is geared toward first-time learners of Japanese. Students will learn basic hiragana, katakana and some simple kanji. Basic grammar and vocabulary for everyday situations will be covered. Students will be able to obtain a good grasp of what kind of language Japanese is while leaning the basic conversation patterns. |
| Survival Japanese II |
This subject is offered to students who have completed Survival Japanese I or have an equivalent level. Students will continue to develop introductory level of reading and writing kanji, and will expand the basic grammar. Students will be able to use more Japanese vocabulary, expressions and simple sentences in dialogue. They will be introduced to the written form of kanji through reading and writing exercises. |
| Japanese for Communication I |
This subject is offered to students who have completed Survival Japanese II or have an equivalent level. Students will acquire a solid foundation of Japanese language. They will be able to engage in simple conversations and experience reading and writing short passages (with kanji they have learned) about familiar topics. |
| Japanese for Communication II |
This subject is offered to students who have completed Japanese for Communication I or have an equivalent level. Students will be able to converse more fluently and confidently using more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary, and continue to increase their knowledge and recognition of kanji. |
| Japanese for Communication III |
This subject is offered to students who have completed Japanese for Communication II or have an equivalent level. Students will continue to engage in more complex daily conversation and will read and write more kanji. Students will be able to use various types of Japanese including polite Japanese and informal conversation styles. |
| Japanese for Communication IV |
This subject is offered to students who have completed Japanese for Communication III or have an equivalent level. Students will be able to engage in conversations in various situations and make short presentations on familiar topics in Japanese. Students will also be able to read and write short paragraphs on familiar topics relating to personal interests and practical needs. |
Japanese Placement Test
The Japanese Placement Test is mandatory for students* who want to take Japanese language subjects. The Japanese subject level from which students will begin their studies will be decided by their score on the Japanese Placement Test. All students who want to take Japanese language subjects must take the Japanese Placement Test held prior to the beginning of every semester (late March and mid-September).
2023 Spring Semester Japanese Placement Test Application
The application period to take the Japanese placement test for the 2023 Spring semester courses has begun.
If you are a graduate student and wish to take a Japanese language course next semester, you need to take the Japanese Language Placement Test first.
If you have not taken the Japanese Language Placement Test and would like to take Japanese courses in the future, please apply via the survey below.
※If you have already taken the Japanese placement test once, you will not be able to apply.
< Application Survey >
https://forms.office.com/r/UUewesYf3b
< Application Deadline >
Monday, February 13, 17:30 (JST)
< Placement Test Schedule >
(1) Online Pre-Test: March 6 - 8
(2) In-Person Test / Interview: March 27
The ID and password for the online test will be sent separately to those who apply via the survey.
*You are required to take the placement test if you wish to take Japanese language courses.
Please make sure to apply via the survey before the deadline.
If you do not apply via the above survey, you will not be able to take the test.
If you have any questions, please contact the Academic Office.
We are looking forward to your application.
APU Academic Office
Japanese Language Program Team (cleac@apu.ac.jp)
- Note:
- Students who have already registered for a Japanese language subject after enrollment in their current program are not eligible to sit the placement test again.
** Students who will be taking the placement test must register for the subject level in which they are placed in during Course Registration Period B for that semester.