Japanese Language Class
Division of Global Education IIIEE
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
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Classes offered in the Japanese Language Course are designed to correspond to different ability levels starting from complete beginners to students who need to improve their Japanese for their research work or employment. Students enroll in the class that matches their ability level. The Beginning levels in particular are specifically designed according to students’ abilities so that they can go at their own pace.
※The Introductory course is designed for students who come to Japan after the course registration period for each semester or students who are staying here for a short time. S1S2 starts in June and A1A2 starts in November. Beginning I/II and Intensive Beginning I use different textbooks. The lessons may lack continuity if you take Beginning II after completing the Introductory course.
You can gain basic knowledge of Japanese language and culture helpful for living in Japan while engaging in your specialized fields and research activities effectively. Noncredit students can take this course as well.
You can learn the Japanese language and culture necessary for daily living and research work according to your skill level.
There is also a course, entitled Multicultural Study, where you can study with Japanese students. Noncredit students can take this course as well.
You must create an account in the STAR system (Students Tools for Access and Review) and take an online placement test in order to study Japanese at the Japanese Language Course, School of Engineering (JLCSE). Noncredit students aslo need to take the placement test to be able to register for classes.
Normally, you can take the test a month before each semester starts. Once you take the test, the STAR screen shows a list of classes that are available for your level during the semester. You can then register for the classes you want.
*Credit students must register for STAR before registering for a UTokyo Academic Affairs System (UTAS) credit. You need to register for both STAR and UTAS to be able to take classes.
The placement test consists of two parts.
You will be asked questions to see what you can/cannot understand with your current level of Japanese. Please answer to the best of your ability as this is for judging whether you can determine your knowledge and competence of Japanese language in an objective manner or not and to make a comprehensive decision on which test level you should take in Part 2.
*Even if you have not studied Japanese, you must answer the questions.
You will take grammar, reading, listening, and writing tests. All of the tests are available to you online only once. Please take the test where you can ensure a stable internet connection because you cannot take the test again even if you log out or lose your connection part way through.
*If you have not studied Japanese yet, you can press “skip” and go to register for Beginning courses without taking Part 2 of the test.
Once you finish the two parts, you will receive a list of courses available at your level in the following semester. You can then register for the courses you want.
These tests results will help you to comprehend your current Japanese level and to study in an appropriate course. It will not affect your academic results in the Japanese Language Course. Thus, you are encouraged to take it properly to reflect your actual ability. If your Japanese level is deemed not suitable for the class you enrolled in after classes begin, you must change classes. You have a limited time during which you can change classes. Thus, it is important to take the placement test properly and register for the class that matches your level from the start.
JLCSE offers Japanese Language courses in seven levels: Beginning I, II, Intermediate 1, 2, 3 and Advanced 1, 2.
Beginning I and II have a regular course (2 or 3 classes a week) and an intensive course (4 or 5 classes a week). Beginning I also includes the Introductory courses that open in S2 and A2.
Intermediate 1, 2, and 3 teach different skills: Integral, Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. There are also courses that are designed for the engineering field at each level (Intermediate 1: Technical Reading, Intermediate 2: Technical Term / Kanji, Intermediate 3: Technical Reading). There is also a Japanese Career Bridge Course (Intermediate 3) that provides job placement assistance, as well as a Multicultural Learning Project Course (Intermediate 3 to Advanced 1・2 level students and Japanese students) where international students and Japanese students gain a deeper mutual understanding of their cultures.
Advanced 1 and 2 level teach different skills: Integral, Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
We also offer a Japanese Career Design Course (for advanced 1 and 2 students) that provides job placement assistance.
Students will manage their attendance and academic records for each course based on the information registered on STAR and will also use the same account in the following year. Confirmation of final academic results, applications for issuing certificates, and applications for events for cultural experiences are all done on the STAR system. Please make sure you remember your ID and password. If you forget them, you can reset your password from the STAR home page as long as you know your email.
*As a general rule, you cannot switch between sections of courses with multiple sections. Please be careful when you change information on STAR as it could result in losing data relating to attendance or assignments.
If you need credit for Japanese language subjects at JLCSE, you must personally register for UTAS. Credit requirements for completion differ from department to department. Please double check with the office of your department.
– Students take midterm and final exams (or assignments) for each course. If you need to be absent due to an academic conference or other unavoidable reason, you can take a makeup exam as long as it is within a week of the actual exam. In the case of a makeup exam, only 80% of the test score will be counted in the academic results.
– Grading will be based on the midterm/final exams, quizzes, assignments, classroom activities, etc. Grading criteria are as follows: A: 80-100%, B: 65-79%, C: 50-64%, F: 0-49%.
– If a student fails to attend 70% of the classes or misses either final exams or assignments, the student will not be able to complete the course.
– Students who complete the course with a grade of C or above will be able to take a course one level higher without taking a placement test during the following semester.
1) A student completing the Beginning course may register for a course one level higher
2) A student completing the Intermediate/Advanced course may register for a course one level higher for the same skill (Integral, Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening).
– If a student receives an incomplete or a grade of F, they may register for the same course in the following semester.
– Credits can be acquired through JLCSE courses
– Whether or not these course credits are counted as credits required for degree completion differs depending on department. Please inquire with your department office.
-Non-credit enrollment in courses is also possible.
– Credit students must register from both the STAR system and the U-Tokyo UTAS system (See “4. Registration for STAR” and “5. Registration for UTAS” under the registration section).
– Students who have completed the enrolled course with a grade of C or higher can download the course completion certificate from the STAR student page. The download period is for one year from the release date of the course grades*.
* S1S2: March 1st * A1A2: September 1st
– The classroom for each course will be announced on the syllabus or schedule. You can also check classroom assignments on STAR (Student Tools for Access and Review).
-Students will be notified of any change of classroom for the course via a STAR mailing list. It will also be posted on the bulletin board in front of the office as well as at both classrooms affected by the change.
1st period : 8:30-10:15
2nd period: 10:25-12:10
3rd period: 13:00-14:45
4th period: 14:55-16:40
– If a student does not attend, it is considered an absence regardless of the reason.
– Being 30 minutes late or leaving more than 30 minutes early is considered an absence.
– Being late or leaving early three times is considered to be one absence.
– Classes could be canceled due to university events or the instructor’s personal reasons. The cancellations that are known in advance will be included in the syllabus.
– If a class is suddenly canceled due to the instructor’s personal reasons, the instructor will notify students via email or other means.
– Class could be canceled due to weather warnings or earthquake warnings. If that happens early in the morning, all registered students and instructors will be notified by email. Otherwise, the information will be posted on the website.
– If a class is canceled, as a general rule, a makeup class will be scheduled. If a makeup class cannot be arranged, alternative assignments will be given.
Please follow the instructions of your instructor about the makeup class or assignments.
Although all JLCSE courses are tuition free, students must purchase their own textbooks for coursework. It is illegal to copy an entire textbook!
Visit Nihongo Lounge to check JLCSE Classifieds to get information on used textbooks.
Japanese language tutoring is provided to JLCSE students in order to meet individual needs that classes cannot cover including research plans and the correction of an entry-sheet for job interviews.
Japanese Learning Advice Session is a learning support on listening/speaking/reading/writing/academic skills of the Japanese language for JLCSE students.