The Japanese Language Program at Queen’s has been offering courses since 1988. With one permanent faculty, the program offers high-quality instruction at two levels. This program boasts excellent students – some have won prizes at Japanese Speech Contests while others have used their Japanese for internships or international careers. The courses are in high demand and courses fill up very quickly. Please note that you need an average of C ( 1.9 GPA) or above to be able to register for any of JAPN courses.
JAPN Courses
The Department offers Japanese language acquisition courses up to the upper beginner level. You can take them as electives; count them toward LLCU Major, the Minor in World Language Studies or Plans in Linguistics.
| Course | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| JAPN 100/6.0 | Introductory Japanese I | For students with little or no previous knowledge of Japanese. This course introduces the basic structure and usage of the Japanese language as well as various aspects of Japanese culture. Four skills -- listening, speaking, reading, and writing -- are taught in an integrated manner through communicative tasks. Students are expected to study individually on a regular basis in addition to the four hours of classroom work per week. NOTE Students with previous study background must take a placement test during orientation week in September. PREREQUISITE Level 1 or (Level 2 or above and a GPA of 1.90). |
| JAPN 200/6.0 | Introductory Japanese II | For students who have basic Japanese language proficiency acquired through JAPN 100 or its equivalent. The course seeks the simultaneous progression of four skills as well as becoming familiar with various aspects of Japanese culture. Students are expected to study individually on a regular basis in addition to the four hours of classroom work per week. NOTE Students with previous study background must take a placement test during orientation week in September. PREREQUISITE A grade of C in JAPN 100/6.0 or permission of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. |
Click here for the current Course Offerings.
Resources
Students have several opportunities to practice their Japanese and expand their knowledge of the culture beyond the classroom. You can get involved in one of the student clubs at the Alma Mater Society or participate in a Japanese New Year’s party. Students in the JAPN 200 class use LinguaeLive to talk to peers in Japan, and practice the language and meet a new friend. Attending events or volunteering at the Queen’s International Centre will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in other cultures and get to know exchange students from Japan!
The Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) is an international education support service for students, faculty and staff at Queen’s. Through its activities the Centre promotes an internationally informed and cross culturally sensitive university community.
QUIC programs and services support
- the academic and personal development of international students, other international members of the Queen’s community, and their families;
- the academic and personal development of Queen’s students, staff and faculty interested in Education Abroad; and
- the internationalization of the campus by working with university departments, offices, groups and individuals to enhance and diversify the international learning environment at Queen’s through educational and training activities.
QUIC offers many cultural events and get-together for students, as well as the opportunity to volunteer to support international students with improving their English as they integrate into Queen’s life. It is a fruitful way to meet other students from other countries, to help and to learn from one another.
Check QUIC's Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date information.
New Year is the biggest annual celebration in Japan. Schools close for about two weeks of winter holiday before and after New Year's, and most companies also shut down for New Year break from around December 30 to January 3. On New Year's Day families gather and eat special meals called "osechi ryori." People visit Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to pray for good fortune in the coming year. Children receive small gifts of money, called "otoshidama," from their relatives. Traditional games like "karuta" (played with cards usually featuring well-known poems on them) are enjoyed. People send New Year's cards called "nengajo" to their friends and acquaintances from work. (Source: Kids Web Japan. Picture source: Japan this! blog)
Every year, the class representatives in JAPN classes get together to organize a Japanese New Year’s potluck-style party. Students from all levels are invited to share a meal and participate in activities.
With approximately 450 student clubs to choose from, you can easily enhance what you learn in the classroom and have the chance to embrace your passions. More than 100 cultural and ethnic student clubs and organizations foster diversity and cultural engagement on campus. Below are AMS (Alma Mater Society) clubs that may be of interests for students of Japanese:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Queen's Anime Club (QAC) |
The Queen’s Anime Club's mandate is to provide and promote "anime," formally known as Japanese animation, to the Queen's community and public, as well as appreciation for Japanese art culture by various screenings and activities. They are a community that gives a place to belong for the Students of Queens and the People of Kingston who love/enjoy anime, manga and the Japanese culture. They primarily get together to watch, discuss, and share their knowledge on anime, and host events that challenge your anime knowledge and promote socializing amongst those in the group. |
| Japanese Relations at Queen’s |
The club promotes Japanese culture to and fosters international understanding for Queen's students and the Kingston community. It also serves as a bridge between exchange students from both Queen's and Japan. |
Related Links
| Learning Japanese | |
|---|---|
| Nihongo eな | NIHONGO eな is a site dedicated to introducing all kinds of websites and online tools useful for studying Japanese. |
| Erin's Challenge | Series of mini-dramas in a high school setting. Good for learning Japanese language as well as Japanese culture. |
| Let's learn Japanese Online (NHK) | Audio drama for Japanese learners (NHK: Japan Broadcasting Corporation) |
| Java Kanji Flash Cards 500 | Exercises of 500 most frequently used kanji |
| Rikai - by Todd Rudick | Embeds a pop-up glossary help in any Japanese text |
| Rikaichan | Pop-up dictionary for FireFox |
| Hiragana | This system adds hiragana on the kanji |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Japan Relations at Queen's | The club (established and located on Queen's campus) promotes Japanese culture to and fosters international understanding for Queen's students and the Kingston community. It also serves as a bridge between exchange students from both Queen's and Japan. |
| Japanese Proficiency Test | The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has been offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (formerly Association of International Education, Japan) since 1984 as a reliable means of evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers. |
| The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (Toronto) - York University | The JLPT was held at York University for the first time in Toronto in 1997. The test has been hosted by the Japanese Section of York University on behalf of the Japan Foundation. It is also a joint event by Japanese language professionals at several universities in Ontario. |
| Embassy of Japan in Canada | The websites of the Japanese Embassy and Consulate have information about Japanese government exchanges, scholarships and fellowships available to Canadians. |
| The Consulate General of Japan in Toronto | |
| Travel and Culture | |
|---|---|
| Japan Guide | Up-to-date information on travelling and living in Japan |
| Web Japan | Gateway for all Japanese information |
| Kids Web Japan | Youth's version of Web Japan |
| Japan National Tourism Organization | In-depth guide to the regions |
| Visiting Japan Links | From the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |
| Newspapers | |
|---|---|
| Ashai Shimbun | Asahi Shinbun [Japanese] |
| Asahi Shimbun | Asahi Shinbun [English] |
| Mainichi Shinbun | Mainichi Shinbun [Japanese] |
| Yomiuri Shinbun | Yomiuri Shinbun [Japanese] |
| The Japan Times Online | The Japan Times [English] |
Queen's library has a collection of texts relating to Asian Studies. The dictionaries and encyclopedias are located in the Reference section of Stauffer Library. If you need help from a librarian, please contact Gillian Akenson.