Advanced Japanese Language and Culture

          Module 1: Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture

Section 1: Introduction to the Course & Overview  
- Lesson 1: Course Overview  
  Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 1: An introduction to the course, its aims, and how it will build a strong foundation in Japanese language and culture.  
- Lesson 2: Learning Objectives and Expectations  
  Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 2: Outlining what students are expected to learn and the course commitments required for success.

Section 2: Understanding the Basic Sounds of Japanese  
- Lesson 1: Japanese Phonetics – An Overview  
  Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 1: Exploring the fundamental sounds of Japanese, including vowels and consonants.  
- Lesson 2: Pronunciation Practice and Listening Skills  
  Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 2: Developing listening skills through practice exercises focusing on accurate pronunciation.

Section 3: Introduction to Japanese Scripts – Hiragana  
- Lesson 1: Learning Hiragana Characters  
  Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 1: Introducing the Hiragana script with emphasis on character recognition and basic writing.  
- Lesson 2: Practice with Basic Hiragana Words  
  Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 2: Applying Hiragana knowledge by reading and writing simple words and phrases.

Section 4: Introduction to Japanese Scripts – Katakana  
- Lesson 1: Learning Katakana Characters  
  Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 1: Introducing the Katakana script with guidance on character shapes and sounds.  
- Lesson 2: Recognizing Loanwords in Katakana  
  Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 2: Practicing reading and writing by identifying common foreign loanwords rendered in Katakana.

Section 5: Basic Greetings and Japanese Etiquette  
- Lesson 1: Common Greetings and Introductions  
  Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 1: Learning basic greetings and introductions used in everyday Japanese conversations.  
- Lesson 2: Understanding Cultural Etiquette  
  Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 2: Exploring fundamental cultural norms and polite practices in Japanese society.

Module 2: Fundamental Grammar and Sentence Structure

Section 1: Basic Sentence Structure in Japanese  
- Lesson 1: Word Order and Sentence Construction  
  Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 1: Breaking down simple Japanese sentence order and the subject-object-verb structure.  
- Lesson 2: Building Simple Sentences  
  Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 2: Practice assembling basic sentences using learned vocabulary and grammar elements.

Section 2: Particles – Function and Use  
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Key Particles (は, が, を)  
  Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 1: Learning essential particles and their roles in sentence formation.  
- Lesson 2: Practical Particle Placement Exercises  
  Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 2: Hands-on exercises using particles in context to form clear sentences.

Section 3: Basic Verb Conjugations  
- Lesson 1: The Present and Past Forms  
  Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 1: Introducing basic verb forms in affirmative and negative constructions.  
- Lesson 2: Conjugation Practice with Everyday Verbs  
  Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 2: Practical exercises for mastering verb conjugations in common scenarios.

Section 4: Adjective Conjugation and Usage  
- Lesson 1: Understanding I-Adjectives and Na-Adjectives  
  Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 1: Explaining the two main types of adjectives and their basic forms.  
- Lesson 2: Describing Nouns Practically  
  Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 2: Using adjectives in context to describe people, objects, and situations.

Section 5: Question Formation and Politeness  
- Lesson 1: Formulating Simple Questions  
  Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 1: Learning the structure of interrogative sentences in Japanese.  
- Lesson 2: Polite Speech and Honorifics Basics  
  Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 2: Introducing basic polite forms and cultural sensitivity in conversation.

Module 3: Essential Vocabulary and Conversation Skills

Section 1: Building a Core Vocabulary – Everyday Terms  
- Lesson 1: Essential Nouns and Verbs for Daily Life  
  Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 1: Learning vocabulary related to everyday activities and settings.  
- Lesson 2: Vocabulary Practice: Context and Usage  
  Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 2: Exercises to reinforce vocabulary through simple dialogues and role-playing.

Section 2: Descriptive Language – Colors, Numbers, and More  
- Lesson 1: Expressing Quantities and Descriptions  
  Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 1: Introduction to numbers, colors, and sizes in Japanese, with practical examples.  
- Lesson 2: Using Descriptive Adjectives in Context  
  Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 2: Applying adjectives to form descriptive sentences in everyday conversations.

Section 3: Verbs for Daily Activities  
- Lesson 1: Vocabulary for Common Actions  
  Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 1: Exploring verbs related to eating, moving, studying, and other routine activities.  
- Lesson 2: Practice Scenarios Using Daily Verbs  
  Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 2: Role-playing exercises to use action verbs in context.

Section 4: Conversation Starters and Small Talk  
- Lesson 1: Greetings and Casual Conversation  
  Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 1: Developing skills to initiate and engage in small talk in Japanese.  
- Lesson 2: Expressing Opinions and Sharing Experiences  
  Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 2: Guided practice on discussing simple topics with peers.

Section 5: Practical Dialogues and Role-Playing  
- Lesson 1: Simulated Daily Interactions  
  Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 1: Role-playing everyday situations to enhance practical speaking skills.  
- Lesson 2: Feedback and Reflective Practice  
  Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 2: Reviewing dialogues for effective language use and areas for improvement.

Module 4: Reading and Writing Fundamentals

Section 1: Reading Practice – Simple Texts and Passages  
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Basic Reading Materials  
  Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 1: Reading simple texts that incorporate familiar vocabulary and sentence structures.  
- Lesson 2: Comprehension Strategies for Beginners  
  Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 2: Strategies to extract main ideas and details from short passages.

Section 2: Writing Practice – Constructing Sentences  
- Lesson 1: Sentence Formation Techniques  
  Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 1: Step-by-step guidance on forming coherent Japanese sentences with correct syntax.  
- Lesson 2: Short Writing Exercises  
  Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 2: Engaging in short writing exercises to practice new vocabulary and grammar.

Section 3: Understanding Simple Literary Texts  
- Lesson 1: Analyzing Short Stories and Poems  
  Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 1: Reading and discussing simple literary pieces to appreciate style and tone.  
- Lesson 2: Identifying Themes and Cultural Elements  
  Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 2: Connecting literary texts with cultural contexts and everyday experiences.

Section 4: Basic Kanji Recognition  
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Fundamental Kanji  
  Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 1: Learning a selection of common kanji characters essential for beginners.  
- Lesson 2: Practice Reading Kanji in Context  
  Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 2: Exercises to recognize kanji in simple texts, strengthening reading fluency.

Section 5: Writing with Correct Grammar and Punctuation  
- Lesson 1: Structuring Written Japanese  
  Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 1: Focusing on sentence construction, punctuation, and stylistic basics in writing.  
- Lesson 2: Peer Review and Revision Techniques  
  Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 2: Engaging in peer reviews to refine writing through constructive feedback.

Module 5: Cultural Exploration and Context

Section 1: Japanese Traditions and Customs  
- Lesson 1: Overview of Traditional Japanese Practices  
  Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 1: Exploring key cultural traditions and their linguistic expressions.  
- Lesson 2: The Role of Language in Tradition  
  Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 2: Understanding how language reflects and preserves cultural heritage.

Section 2: Contemporary Japanese Media  
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Modern Japanese Pop Culture  
  Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 1: Examining modern media forms such as manga, anime, and television for language context.  
- Lesson 2: Analyzing Media Language and Trends  
  Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 2: Discussion on how contemporary topics influence language usage and cultural identity.

Section 3: Literature and Storytelling in Japan  
- Lesson 1: Traditional Folktales and Their Modern Interpretations  
  Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 1: Studying classic Japanese folktales, exploring narrative style and structure.  
- Lesson 2: Exploring Storytelling Techniques  
  Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 2: Analyzing how language is used to convey storytelling in literature and everyday life.

Section 4: Understanding Japanese Social Norms  
- Lesson 1: Social Etiquette and Communication Styles  
  Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 1: Discussing expected social behaviors and the relationship between language and respect.  
- Lesson 2: Role of Form and Informality in Speech  
  Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 2: Practical exercises contrasting formal and informal language in social interactions.

Section 5: Integration of Language and Culture in Everyday Life  
- Lesson 1: Real-World Applications of Language Skills  
  Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 1: Connecting language practice to everyday cultural experiences and social settings.  
- Lesson 2: Reflective Discussion on Cultural Identity  
  Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 2: Engaging in reflective discussion about how language shapes and is shaped by Japanese culture.