AP Japanese Lang & Culture

This course is comparable in content and difficulty to a 4th semester college course and will develop students’ proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication in Japanese through oral activities, detailed reading / listening and purposeful essay writing. It also increases student understanding of the products, practices and perspectives of the Japanese culture though a variety of authentic sources. This course will include daily homework and outside reading. Instruction is exclusively in the target language as required by the College Board. It is highly recommended that students take the Advanced Placement examination in May. Those who show themselves qualified on the AP exam may receive advanced placement and/or credit at many colleges and universities.

JAPANESE 1-2

Students learn basic content and communication skills in listening, reading, and writing in the target language as stated in the State of California Standards for World Language, Stage 1. Course emphasizes listening and speaking activities as well as an awareness of the cultural products, practices, perspectives and social conventions of the target culture. Instruction is primarily in the target language as emphasized in the State of California Foreign Language Framework and Standards.

JAPANESE 3-4

Students continue learning content and developping the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing as stated in the State of California Standards for World Language, Stage 2. Course emphasizes listening and speaking activities as well as an awareness of the cultural products, practices, perspectives and social conventions of the target culture. Students prepare to use the language appropriately in real-life situations. Instruction is primarily in the target language as emphasized in the State of California Foreign Language Framework.

JAPANESE 5-6

Students continue learning content, developing / enhancing integrated skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the target language, as stated in the State of California Standards for World Language, Stage 3. Greater emphasis is placed on reading, writing, and interpretation of literature and using the language appropriately in real-life situations. Course content emphasizes the transition from a colloquial to more formal command of the target language, and expects a high level of communication proficiency and appreciation of the products, practices and perspectives of the Japanese culture. Instruction is primarily in the target language as stated in the State of California Foreign Language Framework.

JAPANESE 7-8

An advanced course which will continue to expand the students’ vocabulary and include more emphasis on the ability to communicate at an advanced level of Japanese, as stated in the State of California Standards for World Languages, Stage 4. More emphasis is placed on comprehension and analysis of print, audio and audio-visual sources, and effective discussion of the products, practices and perspectives of the Japanese culture. At the conclusion of this class, students should be able to communicate at an advanced-intermediate level and be prepared for AP courses. Instruction is exclusively in the target language as stated in the State of California Foreign Language Framework.