Welcome to SHS Japanese program 日本語にようこそ

1. Welcome to SHS Japanese program日本語にようこそ haldemant@issaquah.wednet.edu http://tammysensei.edublogs.org/

2. Levels of Japanese • Japanese (JPN) 1 & 2 (freshman & sophomores) are basic to low/intermediate with the goal of building student skills for more advanced Japanese in years 3 & 4 to go into UWHS &/or IB Japanese. Hiragana & Katakana, some kanji • JPN 1: Students develop listening and speaking skills and are introduced to elementary grammar. Students learn hiragana, katakana and some basic kanji. Emphasis is on understanding the culture embedded in the language. Good attendance is essential and listening and speaking skills depend on class participation. Level I students must be prepared to be taught predominantly in Japanese. However, English will be used sparingly to support the comprehension of some complex grammatical structures.

3. JPN2: Freshman & sophomores • Students expand vocabulary and sentence structure, understanding and usage. Continued emphasis is on all language skills including speaking, listening, reading and writing of kana as well as kanji. Daily homework and good attendance are required. In level 2, students and teachers will be communicating predominantly in Japanese. It is expected that second level students will be able to utilize conversational Japanese to function in the class with limited use of English.

4. JPN3/UWHS JAP113 • Japanese 3 is a one-year continuation of Japanese 2, which extends vocabulary and studies kanji and grammatical patterns. Students may take on special projects. Activities include reading, writing, listening and extemporaneous speaking. Japanese 3 may be offered in combination with Japanese 4 and may require strong independent study skills. Good attendance and daily homework are required. Students have the option of taking the Japanese proficiency exam, the SAT II or taking this course for UW in the High School credit for a fee. In level 3, students and teachers will be communicating almost exclusively in Japanese. It is expected that third level students will be able to utilize conversational Japanese to function in the class with very little use of English. Students must be able to give an oral presentation in front of class.

5. JPN4/UWHS/IB SL • Japanese 4Optional UWHS/IB Japanese (SL) will prepare the student to communicate competently in the skill areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening in preparation for the Standard Level exam in May – students have the option to take the AP test as well and receive a grade for the class separate from the exam. The IB student is mature, self-motivated, linguistically competent, and studious. In IB Japanese, students and teachers will be communicating almost exclusively in Japanese. Students must be prepared to be taught solely in Japanese. It is expected that IB level students will be able to utilize conversational Japanese to function in the class without the use of English. Students MUST be able to give an oral presentation in front of class.

6. UWHS for credit • In year 3 students have the option to register for JPN 113/5 credit course for through the UW at $299/one half the cost of on campus courses. • In year 4 students have the option to register for JPN211/5credit course for $309 through the UW AND/OR IB Standard Level (SL)Japanese. • All courses are taught the same curriculum, on Skyline Campus by Haldeman-sensei, approved UW Japanese instructor.

7. Advantages of UW For Credit • Students earn valuable knowledge and university credits while in an age-appropriate environment that is familiar to them. • Their final grade does not depend on one high-stakes test, but is rather earned over time. • Students who have completed a UWHS course say they are better prepared for college-level work and that their study skills have improved as a result of taking the course. • Students who register for UW credit establish a UW student ID number and an official student record. By registering, students can also gain access to the University Libraries for the duration of the course. http://www.outreach.washington.edu/uwhs/

8. Text & required materials • Japanese 1-4 Use Adventures in Japanese series along with the graded workbooks • By 3rd year Adventures is supplimented with materials from “Nakama”, AP Japanese & Further Adventures in Japanese by Cheng & Tsui. • All students are required to have a workbook & keep vocabulary notebooks, & journals.

9. The Fun Stuff! • Annual Skit & Speech Contest 3/25/11 • Cultural Plunge Assignments • Fund Raiser for Japan & other relief projects: • 1000 Crane project • Host a Japanese student • 2nd Annual Japanese festival: 3/2/12